Problems with breast health and help

Breast discomfort and tenderness is common, and not always a sign of something serious. Some injuries to the neck, shoulder or back as well as some medicines like the contraceptive pill that contain hormones can cause breast pain.

Breast pain by itself is unlikely to be a symptom of cancer.  A doctor can evaluate your symptoms and suggest treatment or further tests if needed.

If you have breast pain:

Occurs due to hormone changes during your menstrual cycle. The most common type of breast pain.

Related to internal changes to your body, such as injuries or cysts.

Felt in the breast, but comes from somewhere else in the body. Related to internal changes to your body, such as injuries or cysts.

Discomfort or soreness in the breasts that occurs during physical activity. This is often due to lack of breast support from a poorly fitting bra and is most commonly experienced during exercise.

Breast pain linked to your period can start up to two weeks before a period, gets worse and then goes away when the period ends, feels dull, heavy or aching, affects both breasts and sometimes spreads to the armpit. If it continues after your period has stopped, talk to your doctor.

Mastitis is an inflammation of breast tissue. It usually occurs during breastfeeding if the baby isn’t feeding correctly or if a milk duct is blocked, but you can also get mastitis if you’re not breastfeeding.

A breast abscess is a painful build-up of pus in the breast caused by an infection. It mainly affects women who are breastfeeding. It’s not usually serious, but it needs treatment in a hospital. Symptoms of a breast abscess may include:

You’re more likely to have a breast abscess if you have recently had a breast infection (mastitis) or if you’ve had a breast abscess before.

If you find a lump or a hard immovable bump in your breast, talk to your doctor. Most breast lumps are harmless, but some can be serious and need further investigation.

If you notice any changes in your breast skin (even if they seem minor), such as dimples, redness, rashes, skin texture changes, puckering, or any unusual appearance on the breast skin, talk to your doctor.

Very large, heavy breasts can be caused by genetics, hormonal changes or weight fluctuations. They can lead to physical discomfort, or pressure on your back, shoulders or neck. You may also experience skin irritation, rashes and skin infections under the breasts; grooves on the shoulders from bra straps and psychological distress, such as low self-esteem or depression.

Correctly fitting underwear and clothing can help to ease symptoms but talk to your doctor if you are struggling with very large or heavy breasts.

Breast reduction surgery can be part of breast cancer treatment or for those unhappy with the shape, weight or droop of their breasts. It can be used to even the size of breasts when there is one much larger than the other.

It is usually not covered by the NHS if it’s for cosmetic reasons.

Each area has its own guidelines on when breast reductions can be carried out on the NHS, so talk to your doctor if you are struggling with very large breasts.

Breast screening (mammogram) is an x-ray of your breasts that checks for cancers that are too small to see or feel. Anyone registered with an NHS doctor as female will be invited for breast screening every three years between the ages of 50 and 71.

Breast cancer forms in breast tissue. Breast tissue is not only in your breasts, it goes all the way up to your collarbone and under your armpit. Everyone has breast tissue – people of all ages, races and genders. If breast cancer is diagnosed early, it can often be treated successfully.

If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, after treatment you will have regular talks with your cancer doctor or with your breast care nurse.