Breast pain - should I see a GP?

[TumblerDryer]

I've been having a new & unusual pain in my left breast for a few days now. It's not continuous, comes and goes, feels like shooting pain, similar to when I had nipple thrush (although at nearly 40 my breastfeeding days are very much behind me!). Other than that my breasts feel and look normal. I've been reading up on breast cancer symptoms and it doesn't seem to be high on the list but there is now that 'what if' in the back of my mind. I'm still a few years away from being called for a mammogram.

You should go, put your mind at ease if nothing else.

Breast pain is not a sign of breast cancer. This is a useful guide

I would leave it a few weeks and go to the gp if it is still happening. Our breast texture changes as we age and those changes can sometimes cause new pain.

Ignore the dangerous message “breast pain is not a sign of breast cancer”. That needs to be challenged. Breast pain was my only symptom of cancer. My mammograms and/or ultrasounds were clear. They were wrong. Get it checked out. Don’t delay.

I had a lot of pain with breast cancer. For too long I accepted the false reassurances that breast cancer doesn't hurt. It bloody does. Not for most people, but I have since discovered it does for a significant minority.

Yes, absolutely.

@daisypond how was it diagnosed if your scans were clear? I hope you are doing well, thank you for sharing.

@Booblessbeauty thank you, I'm sorry that this was your experience but reassuring that I'm not overthinking it! I hope you're well on your way to full recovery.

I was referred in the 2ww pathway for non-cyclical breast pain (all breast symptoms are now referred along this pathway even where there’s no suspicion of cancer). My mammogram was clear and the pain has eased though comes back occasionally- in my case I think it’s peri-menopause related.

Do see your GP to put your mind at rest. It’s most probably nothing and maybe peri menopause for you too but the unlikely sinister causes need ruling out.

I had breast cancer twice-same breast. First time, diagnosed in a trial, meaning got 3D mammogram. Normal 2D mammogram and ultrasound at the same time showed nothing. Second time, same breast a year later, mammogram showed nothing, ultrasound showed a tiny amount. MRI showed a bit more. All wildly inaccurate. Extensive cancer, with many large tumours, all in the entire breast. No lumps, bumps, rashes, indentations, nothing. Only revealed through surgery - and that wasn’t accurate either, and had to be done again. I’ve now had a double mastectomy. I’m somewhat bitter about that “breast pain is not a symptom of breast cancer” mantra, and just how wildly inaccurate mammograms and scans can be.

Should have said -biopsies made the initial diagnosis.

im getting this as well and had put it down as yet another peri symptom! Finally got an appt with GP to discuss HRT next week so will ask her opinion x

Go to your GP. I had a very similar thing and it turned out to be nothing but the GP was lovely, said it was well worth checking out and it was so nice to have my mind put at ease. I lost my father to cancer in his 50s - you’ll never regret getting something checked out.

Yes GP but in the meantime how old is your bra?

I’ve had breast pain caused by perimenopausal breast changes including duct ectasia throughout my 40s, I regularly go to see GP if things feel different and they’ve referred me for checks. Breast clinic have always been reassuring and never made me feel like I’m wasting time etc. I’d make the appointment and log your symptoms against your cycle in the meantime. Cutting out tea and limiting myself to one coffee per day helped me massively.

Please ignore this advice - I had pain & ignored it as I thought it couldn’t possibly be cancer as I had no other symptoms - I’d had pain years ago & got it checked at the time & it was nothing serious so I just thought it was just the same thing again. Unfortunately it was cancer this time - I had to have a mastectomy & chemo but I’m doing well now.

I don’t want to scare you but please get it checked out. More than likely it’s nothing but it really is better to be safe than sorry!

Can I ask where your pain was/ what it felt like?