under breast pain

[mitzyjenn]

i have a tender area under my left breast which is sore to touch and appears swollen, i have been examined and had a mamogram all seems fine, but, my breasts are very heavy and i cannot go without a bra at anytime except when i am in bed. I had pneumonia 10 years ago caused by pleuracy and haven't been the same since. could it be lung cancer?

[Sweet_Monti]

A related discussion, Scared out of my mind was started.

[Kamal S Saini, MD, MRCP (UK), DM]

Hi,
You have had your breasts examined, and all seems OK. Your mammograms are also OK. Perhaps the breast discomfort is a "referred" pain. (See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Referred_pain).
Perhaps the pleurisy or pneumonia injured some nerves; now that pain is being perceived as breast pain.
However, please consult your doctor again about your constant tenderness.
You should again begin gentle exercises and regular walks.
And dont focus too much on the pain/discomfort.
Good Luck and God Bless!

[mitzyjenn]

thanks again for your advice, i haven't had this sort of help from any of the doctors or nurses in my surgery. the swelling started about three years ago, although both sides are swollen the left side (heart side) seems worse.i don't have any back pain, but since the pleuracy i have felt that there is a brick under the left side of my ribs. i used to do a lot of yoga but it started to hurt when i did the inverted poses ,again under the left rib so i stopped. they did tell me after the pleuracy that there were certain excercises that i wouldn't be able to do anymore and i must admit, my body hasn,t been the same since i had it. at the time i was spitting up blood and 4 courses of antibiotics couldn't shift it. i went privately to see a specialist and had a bronchoscopy which revealed that there were traces of pneumonia on the left lung. but thank god no signs of cancer. i am constantly uncomfortable even with my bra on it feels bruised. hope you can help with this one..

[Kamal S Saini, MD, MRCP (UK), DM]

Hi,
Smokers cough is very common among smokers. Your sister must quit smoking immediately. It has many unhealthy effects on the body. In the long run, quitting smoking and adopting a more healthy lifestyle (including regular exercise) will help reduce or eliminate her insomnia.
About your breast tenderness, please provide additional details. Is it on both sides? How long have you had it? Is the pain worsened during your periods (you are perimenopausal - do you get any periods at all?) What relieves this pain?
With a more detailed history, we can have a better discussion about possible diagnoses.
Good Luck!

[mitzyjenn]

i also am experiencing insomnia, could this be the menopause? and could my breast tenderness be related to any other disease you know of?

[mitzyjenn]

my sister smokes is 56 and has a tickly cough all the time, these and insomnia are her only symptoms. can you advise us?

[Kamal S Saini, MD, MRCP (UK), DM]

Hi,
Large breasts may occasionally cause upper back pain. However, your soreness in below your left breast. This is unlikely to be related to breast size.
Losing weight is an excellent idea. Please begin a regular excercise regimen.
Good Luck.

[mitzyjenn]

thankyou for your comments, but which is the way forward for me? maybe reduce my bust size and lose some weight, would this help?

[Kamal S Saini, MD, MRCP (UK), DM]

Hi,
It is very unusual for lung cancer to initially present with the symptoms you have described.
The tender spot on your chest is more likely to be related to a musculo-skeletal condition rather than lung cancer. An episode of pleurisy or pneumonia is not likely to develop into lung cancer.
Wish you all the best. God Bless!