Breast pain usually isn’t serious and is rarely a sign of breast cancer. There are many potential causes of breast pain, including hormonal changes. You can find out about breast pain, including symptoms, its causes as well as how you can relieve it.
A note on terms:
Breast cancer can affect anybody, and everybody is welcome in CoppaFeel!’s community.
We use the word chest to include all bodies and genders, and breast when we need to be clinically accurate. When we use these words we mean the area from your ribs up to your collarbone and armpits, including your nipples.
We’re actively inclusive in our language and we ask people how they want to be described. You might prefer to call your chest something else, and that’s ok!
Having breast pain doesn’t mean you have breast cancer. There are two types of breast pain, including hormonal (cyclical) and non-hormonal (non-cyclical) breast pain. Breast cancer tumours are often painless.
You should see your GP if you have constant, unusual breast pain. You can also find out more on the signs and symptoms of breast cancer.
Hormonal changes, injuries and infection are some causes of breast pain. Breast pain (also known as mastalgia) is common and usually isn’t anything to worry about. On its own, it is very rarely a sign of breast cancer. You can find out more about understanding breast changes, as well as how to check your breasts.
There are two types of breast pain, cyclical and non-cyclical. Cyclical breast pain is linked to your period. Non-cyclical breast pain happens due to other reasons.
Cyclical breast pain is part of your menstrual cycle. It’s common, and natural, and you can treat the pain with medication.
This type of breast pain affects people who have periods (menstruate). It happens because of hormones that control periods (your menstrual cycle). Cyclical pain usually happens around the time of your period, starting around 7-10 days before your period and can last up to 2 weeks.
Hormonal, or cyclical breast pain, usually causes tenderness, achiness and swelling. Other less common feelings include burning, prickling or stabbing pains. You can read more on natural breast changes.
Non-cyclical breast pain is not part of the menstrual cycle and is most common in women over 40. Too much caffeine, poor posture, or injury to your breast tissue are potential causes.
Sometimes, pain in this area might not be in your breast tissue at all, but instead in your chest wall, pectoral muscles or ribs. You should speak to your GP if you’re worried about this.
Your chest wall is the chest area made from rib bones, muscle and other parts of the chest that protect your organs. Chest wall pain often feels like breast pain, however it is pain in these bones or muscles of the chest.
It can be caused by injury, like a pulled muscle, cracked rib or knock to the chest. Chest wall pain can also be due to infection, acid reflux or poor posture.
Stress, anxiety and depression can affect your hormone levels, which can cause or increase non-cyclical breast pain.
You may have breast pain during pregnancy, especially in the first three months. Breasts and nipples feeling more tender than usual is a common symptom of being pregnant. This is due to hormones increasing blood flow to the breasts which can change the breast tissue.
Breast or chest pain during puberty is common and not serious. It can cause breasts, pecs and nipples to ache, become tender, tingly, and itch. This is caused by rising hormone levels during puberty, as well as breast growth.
Menopause is the end of a person’s periods because of lower hormone levels. It can also cause breast pain. If you’re aged between 45-55 and feeling tenderness, soreness and throbbing in your breasts, menopause could be the cause.
Menopause can cause hormone levels to change and weaken the tissue around the breast area, which can cause breast pain.
A breast abscess is a bacterial infection in the breast that causes a build-up of pus. It can cause your breasts to hurt, swell and turn a redder shade. It can also make you feel unwell and tired.
If you think you have a breast abscess you should see your GP. Without treatment, it can lead to more serious health conditions. There are many types of treatment, including: Using a needle to drain the abscess, antibiotics, pain killers, ice pack to reduce swelling.
A cyst in the breast usually isn’t a sign of cancer, however they can be painful. If you’ve noticed a cyst in your breast, get it checked out.
Breast pain is not usually anything to worry about. However, if you’re worried about a symptom you should get in touch with your GP. You should also see your GP if you have any of these symptoms:
Simple lifestyle changes can help ease breast pain, as well as improve your general health. These include a healthy diet that reduces caffeine, salt, alcohol and fat. Increasing your fibre intake also helps, as well as eating more nuts, vegetables and fish. Stopping smoking may also help stop breast pain.
Wearing a well-fitted bra can increase comfort and reduce breast pain. Wearing a sports bra during exercise can also help relieve breast pain.
Relaxation and complementary therapies can reduce the symptoms of cyclical breast pain. These can include anything from relaxation music and apps to acupuncture and aromatherapy.
Contraception is anything that can prevent pregnancy during sex. Contraception is anything that can prevent pregnancy during sex. Talk to your GP if you think your contraception might be causing breast pain and talk to them if you would like to try a different type of contraception.
Over the counter painkillers, like paracetamol and ibuprofen can ease breast pain. Painkiller gels can help if they’re rubbed into the area where it hurts. These are more effective with non-cyclical breast pain.
Evening primrose oil (EPO) and starflower oil contain gamolenic acid (GLA). This is a type of fat that is essential for the normal working of your body. Low levels of GLA is linked to cyclical breast pain.
You should speak with your GP before taking EPO or starflower oil. They can have side effects and are not recommended for people who are pregnant or have epilepsy.
If anything from the list above is not helping ease breast pain, you can talk to your GP about medication, like tamoxifen
Tamoxifen is used to treat breast cancer, although it can be prescribed for severe breast pain. This medication can help with cyclical breast pain, although it can have side effects, like night sweats, hot flushes or mood changes
When she was younger, CoppaFeel! Young Collaborator Keisha found a lump in her breast and she had breast pain. Her GP referred her to a breast cancer clinic. The tests showed no signs of breast cancer and the lump was not breast cancer.
She did the right thing, and got checked out. If you notice any unusual changes to your chest, speak to your GP. Remember to check your chest every month.
In this video, Keisha asks Advanced Nurse Practitioner Veronica about breast pain specifically so we can all understand breast pain better.
Advanced Nurse Practitioner – Advanced Nurse Practitioners (ANPs) are experienced and highly educated Registered Nurses who manage the complete clinical care of their patients. Veronica talks about women in this video. This NHS service invites women only.
Fluctuates and fluctuations – Another word for fluctuate is change.
Intermittent – Not happening regularly or continuously. Stopping and starting repeatedly or with periods in between.
Persistent – Lasting for a long time.
Analgesia – Drugs that stop you from feeling pain
Indicative of cancer – Sign of cancer
Cancer diagnostic clinic –This is a clinic which tests people to see if they have cancer.
In this video, CoppaFeel! Young Collaborator Martha asks Dr Bartholomeuz about seeing the GP with breast pain.
Chaperone – A chaperone is an adult who is present during an examination of a patient.
In this video, CoppaFeel! Young Collaborator Hope talks to Advanced Nurse Practitioner Lisa and Breast Pain Clinic Coordinator Denise.
Lisa and Denise talk about what happens in the Derbyshire and South Staffordshire clinics.
Other breast pain clinics across the country may be slightly different. All of the clinics have the same aim, to give advice and support to women with breast pain.
Advanced Nurse Practitioner – Advanced Nurse Practitioners (ANPs) are experienced and highly educated Registered Nurses who manage the complete clinical care of their patients.
Implants in situ – If someone has breast implants they will not be able to go to this clinic but should talk to their GP if they notice any unusual changes to their chest.
Secondary care unit – Also known as hospital and community care. The care is given by healthcare professionals who may not have first contact with the patient.
Imaging – Imaging for the breast uses X-ray and ultrasound. In the breast pain clinic, they do not offer X-ray and ultrasound.
In this video, our Young Collaborators are fact checking with the East Midlands Breast Pain Clinic team.
Chest binding should not be painful. There is a risk of skin sores, so it is important to bind safely and comfortably. Our friends at Brook have more information on chest binding.
Inflammation – Inflammation is your body’s process of fighting against things that harm it.
Pain persists – Pain does not go away.
Distort the shape – Change the shape
Perceived feeling of an increased family history – The person might think they have a high risk of breast cancer if there is breast cancer in their family.
Thank you to everyone who helped make these videos!
CoppaFeel! Young Collaborators: Hope, Martha and Keisha
East Midlands Breast Pain Clinic Team: Denise Stafford, Lisa Rose, Thilan Bartholomeuz and Veronica Rogers
Videographer: Jasper Maberly
Camera Assistant: Oli Robertshaw
Check out East Midlands Breast Pain Pathway for any more support.
We updated this information in April 2024. We will look at it again in April 2027.
