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Breast Cancer (Expert Forum)
Pain § Breast Cancer
Questions posted in the Breast Cancer Forum are answered by medical professionals from The Cleveland Clinic. Topics include Breast Biopsy, Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy, Lumps, Lumpectomy, Lymph node dissection, Lymphedema, Mammograms, Mastectomy, Radiation Therapy, Reconstruction, Self Breast Exam, and Surgery.
Pain § Breast Cancer
by valentine, Jan 03, 2002 12:00AM
Lately I have been experiencing some breast pain...it actually feels like the pain is coming from my breast bone or rib in the lower, inner area of my breast. It is painful to the touch and if I move in a certain way. I have not done anything out of the ordinary that would cause a bruised rib/pulled muscle. In fact, for the last year or so I have been getting these pains every once in a while but the pain usually subsides within a day or so. I have always passed it off as rib pain. This most recent episode has lasted for about 5 days and is still going. I have checked for lumps and haven't found anything distinct but one breast (the more painful one) seems to feel a little lumpier than the other one, moreso at the bottom of the breast very close to the bone where the pain seems to stem from. There may even be a pea size lump but it's not distinct enough to find everytime. Just when I think I have found a distinct lump, I will check back and not be able to find it. Anyway, I understand that it is difficult to diagnose something like this online but I was wondering if breast cancer generally causes pain like this..pain when touched and pain that seems to come from the rib or bone. I am 26 years old and have no history of breast cancer in my family besides my grandmother who was post-menopausal when she got it (I have been told that when a person gets breast cancer beyond menopause it isn't really a genetic thing). I go to my family doctor once a year and she checks these things..my last check-up was about 10 months ago and all seemed well. Thanks for your time.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-RN,MSN-rf, Jan 04, 2002 12:00AM
Dear valentine: Breast cancer is generally painless. The lower ribs can be sensitive to touch but that doesn't explain the spontaneous pain you are reporting. Sometimes, a gas bubble or reflux can cause discomfort such as this. If you are really concerned, you could move up your annual check up, since it is due in the next 2 months anyway. Make sure that you discuss all of this in detail with your family doctor. The pain you are describing is uncharacteristic of breast cancer but pain that cannot be explained should be investigated.
