Bruising to breast can it cause cancer

[genzer]

I was recently in a major car accident and got a really bad bruise on my breast from seat belt. When I went to my doctor he told me that I needed to have it checked out because bruising to the breast is the number 1 cause of breast cancer is this true?

[Denise1975]

A related discussion, Breast cancer and brusing was started.

[bayyore]

I was told a bruise that doesn't heal can mean it's over an area of concern.

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear genzer:  A bruise is caused by injury to a blood vessel that causes bleeding under the skin.  Bruises will resolve on their own but can take some time depending on the severity.  Bruises do not cause cancer.  Your screening recommendations would be based upon your risk for breast cancer.  If you have no risk factors (family history, for example) you should be screened annually with mammography and clinical breast examination beginning at age 40.  If you are having other breast problems or if you are concerned, you should consider seeing a medical breast specialist (often affiliated with large academic medical centers).