Breast Pain As A Warning Sign
It is very common for those experiencing breast pain to be concerned that it is a symptom of breast cancer. Of course this may be the case, but there really is no need to be concerned, the best thing to do is to get it checked by your doctor as soon as you can, and get a mammogram done. This will help your doctor to know if there are any lumps in your breast that do need to be checked out.
If you have breast pain, it is vitally important to report all your symptoms to your physician. To help you remember, make note of the experience. Where is the pain located? What is the frequency and intensity of the pain? Does the pain vary, or is steady? What things make the pain better or worse? For accuracy's sake it is best to jot down your answers while you are experiencing the pain.
If you are experiencing breast pain, don't think that you are all alone. Research indicates that as many as 10% of women experience pain in their breasts that ranges from moderate to severe, for more than five days out of a month. These pains can even last throughout a women's menstrual period. These pains are generally experienced more often in younger women, but can be experienced by women of all ages.
Understandably, many women who experience pain their breasts worry that the pain could be caused by cancer. Regular breast examinations are a good idea for this reason. Your physician will perform such exams on a period basic, but you can also perform self assessment breast exams as another method for early detection. Your physician can provide the instructions, or you can find self assessment breast exam instructions online from a reputable source.
The positive news is that pain in one's breast hardly ever means cancer. There are many reasons why you may have breast pain. The most likely culprit pertains to the reproductive hormones. Your monthly menstrual period can bring with it breast tenderness and/or soreness. This kind of pain usually affects both breasts.
Clearly, there are a variety of possible reasons for breast pain. Once you have gone to your doctor to rule out any possibility of dangerous illness, there are several ways that one can cope with the pain. A simple way is through the use of OTC pain medication. There are several symptoms of pain in the breasts that can be dealt with in this manner. Or you may even simply need to wear a more supportive bra to deal with the pain!
You might worry about cancer when you feel breast pain. While the possibility can't be ruled out at this point, it really shouldn't be a reason to worry. Instead of wasting your time sitting around thinking bad thoughts, you should arrange to see a physician right away. A mammogram can give your doctor a chance to examine your breast tissue for lumps or other signs that might require further investigation. Regular breast examinations are a good idea for this reason. Your physician will perform such exams on a periodic basic, but you can also perform self assessment breast exams as another method for early detection.
Published August 30th, 2008
