Is noncyclic breast pain dangerous?
Is noncyclic breast pain dangerous?
Noncyclic breast pain. The pain can range from minor discomfort to severely disabling pain in some cases. Many women with breast pain are afraid they may have breast cancer. But breast pain is rarely linked to breast cancer. It should not be considered a possible symptom of breast cancer.
What does non-cyclical breast pain feel like?
Non-cyclical breast pain may be continuous or it may come and go. It can affect women before and after the menopause. The pain can be in one or both breasts and can affect the whole breast or a specific area. It may be a burning, prickling or stabbing pain, or a feeling of tightness.
How long does non cyclic mastalgia last?
In a few women, the pain lasts up to two weeks before a period. The pain usually eases soon after a period starts. The severity usually varies from month to month. Typically, the pain affects both breasts.
How do you treat noncyclic breast pain?
Research has shown that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pain relief, such as ibuprofen, can help breast pain, particularly non-cyclical pain. They are most effective in creams or gels applied directly to the affected area, but they can also be taken in tablet form.
How long can mastalgia last?
Often, cyclical mastalgia will settle over the course of a few months, returning to “normal” pre-menstrual breast discomfort without any specific treatment. Studies have shown that cyclical breast pain goes away within three months of onset in about 3 in 10 cases.
How do I know if I have mastalgia?
Overview. Breast pain (mastalgia) can be described as tenderness, throbbing, sharp, stabbing, burning pain or tightness in the breast tissue. The pain may be constant or it may occur only occasionally, and it can occur in men, women and transgender people.
Can mastalgia occur in one breast?
It may occur in only one breast. It is often described as a sharp, burning pain that occurs in one area of a breast. Occasionally, noncyclic pain may be caused by a fibroadenoma or a cyst. If the cause of noncyclic pain can be found, treating the cause may relieve the pain.
How is mastalgia diagnosis?
The diagnosis of mastalgia is most often made based on symptoms and a physical breast exam, though imaging studies may be done to further evaluate abnormalities noted during a physical exam. The chance of mastalgia being a symptom of breast cancer is quite low, but it’s important to screen women who are at risk.
