Breast pain means it definitely won't be cancer. Said to me by...

[LimeRedBanana]

... a breast surgeon.

What are people's thoughts on this?

I have been having intermittent breast pain for a few years. Not the usual pre-menstrual pain that is easily identifiable.

This is very intermittent and is confined exclusively to my left breast. I'm 45 and have had a couple of mammograms that have come back all clear, so the rational part of my brain knows it's probably nothing. But both my grandmothers died from breast cancer before I was born in their 50s.

Arrived at the breast surgeons clinic, and he basically laughed at me. Bemused expression on his smug face.

Why would I be worried about breast pain, he asks. If there's pain, that means it definitely won't be cancer. Oh, you weren't aware of that? It's very well known in my circles. In fact, he even considered doing that as one of his research topics.

Except. The Breast Cancer Foundation app that I have lists it as one of nine symptoms to look out for. Plus, we're always told to know 'our normal' and follow up on any changes.

My friend's late sister was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer a couple of years ago. Early 40s. Her first symptom was breast pain.

I was made to feel like I was completely wasting his time. He also asked me why women don't worry about menstrual pain (cramps), but get all concerned about breast pain (I was top-half naked, having the ultrasound, and trying not to cry at this point).

Was I? Be honest, because I didn't realise that this is seemingly common knowledge, and was something I should have just been ignoring.

I have no idea if he is right but his manner is appalling! I’m so sorry OP. What a dickhead he is to speak to you like that.

I think you should ask for a second opinion, his attitude was appalling. I'm. 43, and I had breast cancer last year and I had no pain where the tumour was. I was told from my surgeons, oncologist and breast nurse that usually if it hurts it isn't cancer.
Hope that helps but I'm sure you could do with some better reassurance.

My friend has just finished a three year battle with aggressive breast cancer. Her only symptom was shooting pains in her breast and she was dismissed by 6 different GPs because they told her as it was pain it couldn't be cancer. They were wrong. She is lucky to be alive.

However, if your mammograms have been clear it is much more unlikely to be something sinister. I really hope you find out the cause and are feeling better soon.

He sounds lovely

I was referred to the breast clinic a few months ago for quite bad pain also in my left breast. GP was very reassuring and I was told that it is very rare for pain to be an only symptom of breast cancer.

The ultrasound did show a lump which no one could feel but it was non cancerous but it is right on my bra line so not sure if that causes the pain?

I get very painful breasts anyway for 2 weeks before my period but much more so in that breast.

Thanks all.

@Ilovewheelychairs - this is exactly it.Surely it can be a symptom, albeit unlikely.

Clearly I'm fine, but I didn't think I was doing anything wrong by getting it checked out. It was on health insurance as well, so it wasn't even as if I was wasting public health system time and resources (am not in the UK).

I'm really glad to hear your friend is doing well.

I'm normally a pretty robust type, it usually takes a lot more than a smug prick to upset me.

But my DH (same age as me) had a heart attack last month, and we have no immediate family close by (lots of great friends, luckily) - my parents have passed away, his parents and both our siblings are on the other side of the world - so we're pretty protective of each other's health, because we have to be. I was at a bit of a low ebb when the consultation took place (it was three weeks ago now, just days after DH's heart attack).

I sent a letter of complaint to his clinic, and copied in my GP. He ('specialist') replied with a completely to be expected - 'I'm sorry you're upset. I was just trying to reassure you'. 🙄

My GP has been amazing, and has said they won't send anyone else to him - one strike and he's out - and has referred me to someone else.

It should've been a quick in-and-out visit, reassurance provided, and on with our days.

There was a litany of other comments from him that were totally unnecessary and that I included in the complaint. But I was most interested in the 'pain means it can't possibly be breast cancer' assertion, as it just didn't feel true to me.