Introduction

At the first sign of any suspicious lump, don't hesitate to contact your healthcare professional. If, during your monthly breast self-examination, you notice any significant changes, it's essential to consult your physician.

When checking for breast lumps, it's best to do so about a week after your period starts. Fibrocystic breast changes can be unpredictable, and multiple lumps may be present. Cancerous tumors are usually firm, immobile masses.

When to Call Your Health Care Provider

• If you experience abnormal nipple discharge.
• Severe breast pain affecting your daily life.
• Prolonged, unexplained breast pain.

If you notice any other concerning symptoms, consult a doctor. It's crucial to see a healthcare provider for changes in your breasts.

• Redness.
• Swelling.
• Pain, particularly pain interfering with nursing.
• Nipple drainage.
• A persistent tender lump in the breast after nursing.
• Changes in the skin.
• Any of these symptoms with or without a fever.

If you are breastfeeding, contact your doctor if you develop any breast infection symptoms for prompt treatment.

Self-Care at Home

Breast changes are common and often improve without any treatment. However, you can manage pain associated with fibrocystic or cyclic breast pain. Consider nonmedical options for treatment:

• Discuss hormone level regulation with birth control medications with your physician, as some women find them helpful.
• Limit your intake of theophyllines in tea, theobromine in chocolate, and caffeine in coffee. Some women report reduced pain when reducing these substances.
• Vitamin E taken daily can help reduce fibrocystic changes, but avoid doses exceeding 600 mg daily. Consider a supportive sports bra or well-fitting bra for larger breasts. You may want to wear a comfortable bra to bed.
• Use warm compresses on your breasts to relieve soreness.
• Over-the-counter pain relievers can be useful.
• Keep a record and avoid any foods that seem to trigger the pain.

Keep a pain diary, documenting frequency and severity for at least two months. This may help you and your doctor determine if the pain is cyclic and doesn't require medications with side effects.

Injury: If you experience a breast injury, apply an ice pack for 20 minutes as you would for any other bruise. Do not apply the ice directly to your skin. You can use a frozen vegetable bag wrapped in a towel. You may take a pain reliever like ibuprofen.

Mastitis: Breast infections need medical attention. After seeing a doctor, you can use pain medication, frequent breastfeeding, and warm compresses.

Other Therapy

Avoid using home remedies or herbal remedies without consulting your healthcare provider. One study in England found positive effects with evening primrose oil in 44% of women with cyclical pain, though danazol was more effective (70% benefited).

Follow-up

Recommended mammograms should be part of your regular health screening. Keep track of your last mammogram and inform your doctor when you're due for the next one based on their recommendations. Stay aware of your body and any changes you observe during self-examination. If you find a lump, report it to your healthcare provider.

Follow-up care depends on the cause of your breast pain, symptom severity, and treatment plan. Discuss a follow-up plan with your doctor. Regular mammograms are a valuable investment in your long-term health.

If you have a breast infection, you'll typically have a recheck within 24-48 hours. Take all prescribed antibiotics as directed.

Close monitoring of any breast lump or infection is essential to rule out breast cancer. Mastitis doesn't cause cancer, but cancer can resemble mastitis in appearance. If a breast infection doesn't resolve promptly, your healthcare provider may recommend a mammogram or other tests to rule out cancer.

Prevention

Starting at age 20, perform a monthly breast self-exam. The best time is about seven to eight days after your period begins. If you've gone through menopause, do it at the same time each month. If you detect any suspicious masses, report them immediately to your healthcare provider for evaluation. Tumors found during your monthly breast self-exam are usually at an early stage, which offers better outcomes and long-term survival. Most lumps are not cancer.

Regular breast self-exams help you become familiar with your body and alert you to changes in your breast tissue.

Repeating the breast exam and keeping a pain diary for several menstrual cycles can help determine whether your breast pain is cyclic or not.

The American Cancer Society recommends yearly mammograms starting at age 40. Women in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast exam (CBE) every three years as part of a periodic health exam by a health professional. After age 40, women should have a breast exam by a health professional annually. If you are under 40 and at high risk, consult your doctor regarding the timing of your first mammogram.

Sometimes, mastitis cannot be prevented, particularly in first-time breastfeeding women.