Is breast pain always a sign of something sinister?

[TheOriginalFAB]

I had a lump in my left breast which went of its own accord and didn't show anything bad on a scan I had. That breast has got noticeably bigger than the other one but not enough for me to see a GP as most people have one bigger than the other.

However, for the last couple of days I have had a pain in my breast and it feels almost like a marble but there is no lump.

I am sure everyone would say go to the GP but ime they send you away to see if it is linked to your periods. Mine finished a day or so before the pain started.

Thank you. I am going to talk to some one later and will make a decision then.

I had pain in my left breast for a few months it got so bad that the pain ran down my arm & into my arm pit. I saw my GP on 2 occasions & she said that she was confident it was hormonal as she couldn't feel any lumps. However that didn't put my mind at ease as the pain was there constantly I did go back to my GP & saw a locom she referred me to the breast clinic & I had a mammogram which thank goodness came back clear. The consultant said it could be cynical pain & to take evening primrose oil. The pain has eased & I honestly think that my anxiety & worry over the pain made it worse. Maybe go back & demand a referral to put your mind at rest hun. Good luck :-)

I've had all those feelings (as if there was a hard lump/marble there, but none; itching; pain) and they have been nothing more than hormones.

But DO get checked, and btw I think the link is relevent whether its paternal or maternal grandmother - men can get BC! Less intense link if your mother/aunts haven't had it, though.

I will definitely go back next week if it hasn't gone by then. A few days won't make any difference (hopefully).

I had bad pain in my left breast & it travelled down my arm & into my armpit. I saw two different Gp's that couldn't feel any lumps & said it was hormonal it worried me sick as I wasn't convinced as at times the pain was unbearable & was there constantly not at certain times of the month. At my 3rd visit to the Dr I saw a locom that was very sympathetic & referred me to the breast clinic my mammogram came back clear the comsultant said that it could be clinical & advised taking 1000g of evening primrose I know that there isn't any evidence to prove that they work but I took one daily. Since my mammogram the pain has eased & I feel much better & very relieved that it wasn't anything sinister I think my anxiety & worry made the pain worse. GPs are very reluctant for referrals maybe you shoujld insist hun even for your peace of mind. Hope that you feel better soon let us know how you get on :-)

This morning - and last night when going to bed - my right side of my right breast is hurting. I am noting this so I can remember when I go to the GP as I will go next week when my period has finished and the kids are back at school. I am not overly worried as I have worried in the past about bad stuff and been wrong but I won't dither about with this. My paternal grandmother had breast cancer. She had 6 years clear then died of cancer which had started somewhere else and spread rapidly. Both grandfather's died of lung cancer.

Candy _ i think you meant cyclical pain, not cynical!

TOFAB- pain is not usually cancer unless it is advanced. Lumpiness, areas of heat, inverted nipples, dimpling, pain in armpit and lumps there or as high as collar bone can be.

Pain in both breasts means it is less likely to be serious.

Most cancers are detected when they are millimetres in size- too small to be felt.

One obvious point- could it be your bra? Has it got tight wires or seams that are digging in or is it too small for you?

I am mostly wearing new bras as I have gone up a size though no idea why.

Earlier I had pains in my arm pit which felt like I was being jabs with pins.

I don't think it is cancer but something is causing it so hope it goes very soon.

My whole abdomen is causing me pain today so I am counting the hours until DH is home.

More aching today and pain in arm pit.

I have never had anything like this before. What on Earth is going on?

Go back to doc. I would ask for blood tests (I think there are hormones like prolactin, whose levels can go awry, for example) and a referral to a breast specialist, for a thorough exam: nothing like peace of mind

I am going once my period has finished. I don't know what is up with me today. I feel like my body is failing apart and I feel emotional. I am subconsciously worrying about something and I managed to crash my car this morning so I am not going out again for a while.

Adding to my record - today I had a burning sensation behind the nipple and it was 2-3 inches across.

More discomfort behind L nipple.

FAB, I went to a breast specialist (seen him on/off since I had lumpy issues ten years ago, just for check ups) this week due to pain behind my nipple.

I had a mammo in January, and there are no new lumps or anything much - he isn't worried, and pinpointed likely cause as: I'm now on blood pressure meds, albeit very low dose, and they are interacting with Ranitidine which I've taken nightly for years (hernia). Apparently there are many meds that can cause breast pain.

Could this be a cause of yours? Hormones could be, of course (not for me, am post-meno and my pain doesn't come and go).

I am on 2 lots of prescribed medication every day and one twice a week but I have been on them long than the pain/change so I don't think it can be that. I will see what the GP thinks next week.

Just checking in to see what news, FAB - and to encourage you to go to the GP's next week. The discomfort combined with worrying must be doing your head in. Some peace of mind would be good.

Over the years I have been to the GP's loads of times with breast pain that turned out to be nothing, and generally, it always got a whole lot better as soon as they said it was nothing to worry about. I don't think the two things were unconnected.

I am seeing the GP next week.

I am going in a few minutes to see the doctor.

Good luck Fab .
Let us know what your GP says .

Good luck from me too, FAB.

Thanks.

I have to go to the breast clinic for a scan [scared]

So far so good, FAB - no lump is definitely better than lump! Scans are painless and fast, and hopefully you will get peace of mind immediately. Its also good your GP is sending you: proactive GPs are great news. Here's to a speedy appointment and, as per other thread, results from the meds changes.

I hope so. The tiredness is getting me down more than the pain and the depression.

Well done for going and getting it looked at. The scan is indeed painless and the appointments usually come through quickly. Take someone with you if possible is my main advice: I didn't, but they can be a really big help with not going mad while waiting. Good luck with it: I am glad the GP took your worries seriously. This will hopefully be a quick and painless way to put your mind at rest.