I was wondering if breast pain is a common symptom of getting older, breast changes, etc. I have been getting pain in one breast off and on for a few months. When I went for my yearly mammogram I was told this is very common. The mammogram was fine so no problems but since it was just hurting again I thought I would ask out there if a lot of woman have this problem. Its not very painful, just comes and goes but because its a breast I do worry. I am 45.

By Ginny~moderator on Thursday, May 20, 2004 - 08:38 pm:

I'm sorry to disagree with whoever told you that this is common, but I disagree. I am 65, and the only time I had pain in my breasts was when I had a cyst. My mom, at 82, never reported pain in her breasts. I have not heard this from others. If it were me, I would go back to the doc and insist on further examination and testing if at all possible. Maybe an MRI would show more than a mammogram. Mammograms are wonderful, and I get mine every year. But they are not perfect. Nor are the people who read mamograms. Mistakes can be made.

If it were me, I'd insist on more testing, and maybe with a different doc at a different hospital if the pain persists and your first doc continues to tell you it is not a problem.

My family doc and gyne/OB listened to me very well when I complained of pain in my abdomen, especially when being examined. Between the two of them they sent me for 5 tests and a visit to a gastroenterologist. In the end, we agreed it was scar tissue from surgery when I was about 20 - which they suspected from the beginning, but they were happy to have the "rule out" tests and examinations done and I was glad to have anything worrisome ruled out.

By Amecmom on Thursday, May 20, 2004 - 08:51 pm:

I am naturally cystic. As I started to develop I experienced breast pain with each period. For me breast pain, tenderness, is common. There's nothing wrong, just hormonal changes. My sister is the same way. We are in our 30's and 40's.

That said, I agree with Ginny that you should have it checked out, just to be on the safe side.
Ame

By Lorebunde on Thursday, May 20, 2004 - 09:07 pm:

I go to the gyn in about 2-3 weeks and I was going to mention it to her. They said it was hormonal that breast change as we get older. I had never heard of other woman complaining about it. It is not just near my period, just comes & goes now and then. Thanks for your comments. I do get nervous (as I'm sure all woman due) of breast cancer. My moms sister died when she was about 47.

By Lorebunde on Thursday, May 20, 2004 - 09:08 pm:

I go to the gyn in about 2-3 weeks and I was going to mention it to her. They said it was hormonal that breast change as we get older. I had never heard of other woman complaining about it. It is not just near my period, just comes & goes now and then. Thanks for your comments. I do get nervous (as I'm sure all woman do) of breast cancer. My moms sister died when she was about 47.

By Lorebunde on Thursday, May 20, 2004 - 09:09 pm:

Sorry I posted twice! I have a veeerrrry slow computer and was impatient

By Happynerdmom on Thursday, May 20, 2004 - 09:46 pm:

I just discussed this very subject with my gyn. a few weeks ago. I have noticed a lot more tenderness, usually around my period, but not always. She said it was not uncommon in women around "my age!" (37) My mammogram was perfectly normal. She suggested that cutting back on caffeine would help. (I didn't like that suggestion!LOL) She also said that I would probably notice a big difference if I took vitamin E everyday. I haven't tried the vitamin E yet, but I intend to. I was happy to know that everything was ok, and it sounds like it is much more common than we think!

By Trina~moderator on Thursday, May 20, 2004 - 10:02 pm:

I experience tender, sore breasts every month due to hormonal changes. I'm 40, and this has always been the case, no matter my age. Personally, I would think if the pain is different than usual breast soreness and doesn't seem to coincide with your menstrual cycle, then I'd want it to be looked into further. {{{HUGS}}} Let us know how things work out.

By Sue3 on Thursday, May 20, 2004 - 10:06 pm:

The only time I had breast pain was when I was P.G.I agree with Ginny , I would get it checked out further just to be safe.

By Pamt on Thursday, May 20, 2004 - 11:20 pm:

I have very tender breasts the week before my period. Dh knows they are *off limits* then and it really hurts when I take my bra off. The past month my breasts hurt so bad that I thought I was pregnant and even ended up taking an OTC pain reliever. Monthly breast pain is very common. I talked with my OB-GYN and she also told me to expect it to get worse as I get older. One comforting thought is that breast pain is a good sign...malignant tumors in the breast usually have no pain associated with them.

I think it would be wise to mention the breast pain to your MD, esp if it has recently gotten any worse, but I hardly think any additional testing is necessary. Also think about any hormonal changes that may be associated...change in birth control, perimenopause, etc. to see if that may be a contributing factor.

By Ginny~moderator on Friday, May 21, 2004 - 05:48 am:

I'm sure you've told your gyne about your mom's sister, but it might be useful to remind the doc about this so that s/he has a better understanding of your quite understandable anxiety. That should make a difference in any doctor's mind.

By Karen~moderator on Friday, May 21, 2004 - 07:36 am:

I've been getting annual mammograms for about 12 years. Last year I had an *abnormal* mammogram. I freaked, naturally. I had to go for a repeat mammogram, and they were talking about an ultrasound.

What was discovered was *very dense breast tissue*, which happens as you age. What was also discovered was fibrocystic breast tissue.

The breast that caused all this trouble has been hurting off and on for a while now. When I went for my annual with my GYN recently, he wrote orders for a diagnostic mammogram, rather than a screening mammogram, due to the dense breast tissue discovered last year.

This could be all it is, but with a family history, it's worth having checked out.