Breast pain or lump: Is it cancer?
A sharp pain in your breast, possibly with some tenderness, may have you wondering if it could be something serious. A breast lump is often the first thing that women and even men notice that spurs a visit to their doctor.
Although breast cancer generally shows no symptoms in the early stage, timely detection can turn a story of breast cancer into a survivor’s tale.
Causes of pain and tenderness
We often associate pain with something wrong, so when women feel tenderness or pain in their breast, they often assume it to be breast cancer. However, breast pain is rarely the first noticeable symptom of breast cancer. Several other factors can cause the pain.
Clinically known as mastalgia, breast pain can also be caused by the following:
the fluctuation of hormones caused by menstruation
some birth control pills
some infertility treatments
a bra that doesn’t fit
breast cysts
large breasts, which may be accompanied by neck, shoulder, or back pain
stress
Breast cancer signs and symptoms
Although a lump in the breast is typically associated with breast cancer, much of the time such lumps aren’t cancer. According to the Mayo Clinic, most are benign, or noncancerous.
Common causes of benign breast lumps include:
breast infection
fibrocystic breast disease (“lumpy breasts”)
fibroadenoma (noncancerous tumor)
fat necrosis (damaged tissue)
With fat necrosis, the mass can’t be distinguished from a cancerous lump without a biopsy.
Even though the majority of breast lumps are caused by less severe conditions, new, painless lumps are still the most common symptom of breast cancer.
Early on, a woman may notice a change in her breast when she performs a monthly breast exam or minor abnormal pain that doesn’t seem to go away. Early signs of breast cancer include:
changes in the shape of the nipple
breast pain that doesn’t go away after your next period
a new lump that doesn’t go away after your next period
nipple discharge from one breast that is clear, red, brown, or yellow
unexplained redness, swelling, skin irritation, itchiness, or rash on the breast
swelling or a lump around the collarbone or under the arm
A lump that is hard with irregular edges is more likely to be cancerous.
Later signs of breast cancer include:
retraction, or inward turning of the nipple
enlargement of one breast
dimpling of the breast surface
an existing lump that gets bigger
an “orange peel” texture to the skin
vaginal pain
unintentional weight loss
enlarged lymph nodes in the armpit
visible veins on the breast
Having one or more of these symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean you have breast cancer. Nipple discharge, for example, can also be caused by an infection. See your doctor for a complete evaluation if you experience any of these signs and symptoms.
Men and breast cancer
Breast cancer isn’t typically associated with men. However, male breast cancer can occur in rare instances at any age, although it’s more common in older men.
Many people don’t realize that men have breast tissue too, and those cells can undergo cancerous changes. Because male breast cells are much less developed than women’s breast cells, breast cancer in men isn’t as common.
The most common symptom of breast cancer in men is a lump in the breast tissue.
Other than a lump, symptoms of breast cancer in men include:
thickening of the breast tissue
nipple discharge
redness or scaling of the nipple
a nipple that retracts or turns inward
unexplained redness, swelling, skin irritation, itchiness, or rash on the breast
Most men don’t regularly check their breast tissue for signs of lumps, so male breast cancer is often diagnosed much later.
Breast exams
When you visit your doctor with concerns about breast pain, tenderness, or a lump, there are common tests they might perform.
Physical examination
Your doctor will examine your breasts and the skin on your breasts, as well as check for nipple problems and discharge. They may also feel your breasts and armpits to look for lumps.
Medical history
Your doctor will ask you questions about your health history, including any medications you might be taking, as well as the medical history of immediate family members.
Because breast cancer can sometimes be related to your genes, it’s important to tell your doctor about any family history of breast cancer. Your doctor will also ask you about your symptoms, including when you first noticed them.
Mammogram
Your doctor may request a mammogram, which is an X-ray of the breast, to help distinguish between a benign and malignant mass.
Ultrasound
Ultrasonic sound waves can be used to produce an image of breast tissue.
MRI
Your doctor may suggest an MRI scan in conjunction with other tests. This is another noninvasive imaging test used to examine breast tissue.
Biopsy
This involves removing a small amount of breast tissue to be used for testing.
Read on to learn more about breast cancer tests.
Types of breast cancer
There are two categories that reflect the nature of breast cancer:
Noninvasive (in situ) cancer is cancer that hasn’t spread from the original tissue. This is referred to as stage 0.
Invasive (infiltrating) cancer is cancer that has spread to surrounding tissues. These are categorized as stages 1, 2, 3, or 4.
The tissue affected determines the type of cancer:
Ductal carcinoma is a cancer that forms in the lining of the milk ducts. This is the most common type of breast cancer.
Lobular carcinoma is cancer in the lobules of the breast. The lobules are where milk is produced.
Sarcoma is cancer in the breast’s connective tissue. This is a rare type of breast cancer.
Genes and hormones affect cancer growth
Geneticists are starting to learn how genes affect the growth of cancer and have even identified one: the HER2 gene. This gene fuels growth of breast cancer cells. Medications can help shut this gene down.
Like genes, hormones may also speed up the growth of some types of breast cancers that have hormone receptors.
If a cancer is estrogen receptor-positive, it responds to estrogen.
If a cancer is progesterone receptor-positive, it responds to progesterone.
If a cancer is hormone receptor-negative, it has no hormone receptors.
Treatments for breast cancer
Depending on the type and stage of cancer, treatments can vary. However, there are some common practices doctors and specialists use to combat breast cancer:
A lumpectomy is when your doctor removes the tumor while leaving your breast intact.
A mastectomy is when your doctor surgically removes all of your breast tissue including the tumor and connecting tissue.
Chemotherapy is the most common cancer treatment, and it involves the use of anticancer drugs. These drugs interfere with cells’ ability to reproduce.
Radiation uses X-rays to treat cancer directly.
Hormone and targeted therapy can be used when either genes or hormones play a part in the cancer’s growth.
Signs of recurrence
Despite initial treatment and success, breast cancer can sometimes come back. This is called recurrence. Recurrence happens when a small number of cells escape the initial treatment.
Symptoms of a recurrence in the same place as the first breast cancer are very similar to symptoms of the first breast cancer. They include:
a new breast lump
changes to the nipple
redness or swelling of the breast
a new thickening near the mastectomy scar
If breast cancer comes back regionally, it means that the cancer has returned to the lymph nodes or near to the original cancer but not exactly the same place. The symptoms may be slightly different.
Symptoms of a regional recurrence may include:
lumps in your lymph nodes or near the collarbone
chest pain
pain or loss of sensation in your arm or shoulder
swelling in your arm on the same side as the original breast cancer
If you’ve had a mastectomy or other surgery related to breast cancer, you might get lumps or bumps caused by scar tissue in the reconstructed breast. This isn’t cancer, but you should let your doctor know about them so they can be monitored.
Outlook and prevention As with any cancer, early detection and treatment are major factors in determining the outcome. Breast cancer is easily treated and usually curable when detected in the earliest of stages. The American Cancer Society says the 5-year survival rate for breast cancer that is stage 0 to stage 2 is more than 90 percent. The 5-year survival rate for stage 3 cancer is more than 70 percent. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, according to the World Health OrganizationTrusted Source. Whether you’re concerned about breast pain or tenderness, it’s important to stay informed on risk factors and warning signs of breast cancer. The best way to fight breast cancer is early detection. Talk to your doctor about when you should start scheduling regular mammograms. If you’re worried that your breast pain or tenderness could be something serious, make an appointment with your doctor today. If you find a lump in your breast (even if your most recent mammogram was normal), see your doctor.