Kacycarr

Is Painful Breasts A Sign of Breast Cancer - Tender Sore Breasts Caused By Periods



Posted: Monday, March 30, 2009

by Kacycarr
http://www.spotthepimple.com

If you have painful breasts that feel extremely sore when touched then there may be a perfectly simple explanation for the discomfort you are experiencing. At the present minute you mustn't let your mind wonder or start making assumptions that the reason you have painful breasts is because it is linked to bad things that fear you like cancer.  You are not on your own for thinking this way because the vast majority of women/men who suffer a sort of usualness within their body think the worst. Not wanting to frighten you but thinking the worst has saved many a life.

It is very unlikely if you have breast pain that it is breast cancer. Results that came back after monitoring 8500 women who attended the Edinburgh Breast Unit because they had paining breasts found that fewer than 3% of these women – whose breast pain was probably quite severe – had breast cancer. If your only symptom is pain that fluctuates with the menstrual cycle and both breasts are affected then they are rarely signs we link to cancer. Nonetheless it is only you`re GP who holds a rightful position to determine this and give a yes or no on a particular condition.

If you suffer regular from painful breasts, ask yourself these 2 vital questions:

To keep on top jot down dates in your diary when the pain comes and goes. Do this over a 2 to 3 month period.  No matter how mild or severe the pain or which breast, make sure it is logged down.

Cyclical Breast Pain

At the time of menstruation it is common to have heavy breasts which give discomfort and also in the armpit or upper arm. The breasts may feel lumpy and bumpy. A common question that pops up concerning the issue is, ‘why am I so tired.' Tiredness we don`t relate to sore breasts. The fatigue bouts usually derive from sleepless nights because women are trying to settle their sore tender breasts to avoid what they describe as a pain that is unbearable. Painful breasts are likely to start from 20 years upwards and end around the time of the menopause.

Cyclical breast pain in both breasts usually occurs because the breasts are particularly sensitive to hormone changes. Each breast is made up of a set of glands which produce breast milk; and described as looking like a bunch of white grapes. The ‘stems' are small milk ducts, which lead into bigger ducts for the breast milk to reach the outer of the nipple. Glands are maintained and protected in ‘packing tissue', which is mostly fat. Every month, the glands react to the rise and fall of hormones.

To help relieve breast pain try wearing a soft bra in bed and one of correct fit as this is most important. Ill fitting bras regardless of the issue of painful breasts can result in your suffering from them, even if you didn`t have them in the first place. And avoid exercises that have you jumping about. If you take hormones, such as birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy speak with your doctor about stopping these medications/treatment to see if it helps minimize you`re breast pain

Eat a low-fat diet. Research brought back proof that high levels of saturated fats in the blood make the breasts more sensitive to hormone levels. Foods that may add to your misery and need to be crossed of the menu are fatty meat, cheese, and full-fat milk, cream, butter and pastry foods. Include oily fish in your diet along with with carbohydrates bread, potatoes, rice, pasta fresh fruit and vegetables.  These are all foods for overall health. Cut down or cut out coffee and cola drinks for a short period of time to see if it helps.

Consider Chasteberry found in health shops. It supposedly works on various hormones, such as progesterone. Check with your GP to see if he supports the sources you have in mind for treating your problem.

Another known treatment you could try using is gamolenic acid, the active ingredient of evening primrose and starflower oils. Also can be obtained from your local health shops, it is normally taken twice daily for 8–12 weeks; it may take a while to see if it helps with breast pain.

Creams/gels containing an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) are effective. NSAIDs are a type medication that is a painkiller which helps ease pain and brings down inflammation. You gently massage the cream into the breasts three times a day for 6 months. Not all treatments work and should this one not, then ask your GP about hormone treatments, such as danazol or bromocriptine.

Danazol works in many ways on the hormone system blocking the effects of hormones such as progesterone. The number of women this helps with their breast pain is quite high, approx 70% being the total. Danazol can cause side effects, irregular periods, weight gain, head pain, vomiting, acne, greasy skin and, but rare, deepening of the voice. These can be reduced by taking the drug for 1 week before a period. If you are taking birth control pills then be careful as it can tamper with their purpose. Speak to your GP. If you are finding it hard to understand some medical terms, or names of medications and what they do then you need to be put in the picture. Ask a medic to explain what it is that may be confusing you.

Bromocriptine decreases the level of the hormone prolactin, which stimulates breast tissue to grow. Unfortunately it is not always effective for treating breast pain in half of the women who use it. Side effects seen are sickness, headache, constipation and sometimes giddiness.

If breast pain is intense goserelin may be recommended. This drug operates on the hormone system, and is administered by injection once every 4 weeks. Don`t rely upon antibiotics curing your problem as it is not an infection you are suffering from

Pain unrelated to the menstrual cycle (non-cyclical breast pain) should not be ignored. Do not put off seeing your doctor, it may be nothing but it is always best to check matters like this out. Some breast pain can be caused by strains i.e. bruising from a knock or an infection such as shingles or a breast abscess. Women are treated regular for both reasons

If you have put off seeking treatment and the pain in your breasts persists then this tells you it is not going to go away. Ask yourself can you live with this forever, or will you live if you don`t get it checked out. I am sorry to have to come across harsh but it is imperative to find out the cause of your problem and get it treated.

Breast awareness can save your life…breast cancer

 
This Article has been viewed 8,003 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)
» left by Juanita
from Oklahoma 300 days 7 hours ago.
I am 54. I have been on bio-identical hormones for about 3 years. I started experienceing hyperpigmentation and wanted to reduce or eventually stop my harmone theraphy. I cut back from one and one half pills to one pill and I noticed a lump in my left breast towards the middle, not under the arm area. could this be from the imbalance of the harmone because I cut back. I also started hot flashes again so I know I'm not getting enough.
We want your comments! If you can read this, you don't have javascript enabled, so you can't use this comment system. Please enable javascript.