When to Worry About Breast Pain
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on 21 August 2023 and updated on 12 February 2026.
When you experience breast pain, it’s natural to worry that it could be a sign of something serious, such as breast cancer. However, it’s important to know that breast pain is often caused by benign conditions, and breast cancer is rarely the main cause.
Here’s what you need to know about breast pain and when it’s advisable to consult a doctor.
What Are the Causes of Breast Pain?
Mastalgia or mastodynia are two medical terms for breast pain. Although breast pain can be felt by both women and men, it is more common in women. Importantly, breast pain most often is not a symptom of cancer. In fact, 70% of women have experienced breast pain at least once in their lifetime; only in 15% of cases is the pain a sign of a serious condition that requires treatment (source: ANDOS).
Here are some of the common causes of breast pain in women.
Breastfeeding
After giving birth, the breasts prepare for lactation. It will begin to feel warmer, larger, firmer, and more uncomfortable. The medical term for this swelling is engorgement.
If engorgement is severe, it can be very painful. Breastfeeding the baby frequently helps to reduce engorgement and relieve this discomfort.
Other factors that can cause breast pain during breastfeeding are:
- A blocked milk duct.
- A breast infection called mastitis. In addition to pain and swelling, the breast may become red and itchy. Chills, aches or fever may also appear.
Fibrocystic Changes
Many women experience fibrocystic changes in the breasts that can cause swelling and pain, especially before and after menstruation. The pain is often worse before menstruation and improves when menstruation begins. Fibrocystic lumps often change size during menstruation. These changes are usually benign, do not increase the risk of breast cancer, and may include:
- Thickening of the breast, called fibrosis.
- Fluid-filled cysts in one or both breasts. This can cause the breasts to look swollen or lumpy.
Hormonal Changes
Hormonal fluctuations during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy and menopause can cause breast pain.
Medications
Some medications may cause swelling and breast pain as a side effect.
Shingles
Shingles, is a rash caused by the varicella virus, which can result in a painful eruption of blisters on the breast and chest.
When Can Breast Pain Be a Symptom of Breast Cancer?
Recognizing warning signs is essential to assess the need for a specialist visit. Pay attention to the following symptoms:
- New lump in the breast that does not disappear after your menstrual cycle. Most lumps are benign. It is more likely to be cancer if the lump has irregular borders. Some breast cancers can form soft, round, tender, or even painful lumps or changes in breast tissue.
- Reddened or thickened skin on the breast or nipple, or skin with an orange-peel appearance.
- Nipple discharge other than breast milk.
- Inverted or retracted nipple.
- Swollen lymph nodes under the arm or near the collarbones.
- Persistent pain that does not improve after two weeks or worsens despite over-the-counter pain medication.
- Fever and chills associated with breast pain.
- Breast lump with irregular edges: inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a rare and aggressive type of breast cancer that often does not start with an obvious lump.
When Do I See a Doctor About Breast Pain?
Most cases of breast pain are benign, but early investigation and diagnosis is critical to your health and peace of mind. Your doctor will be able to advise you on the appropriateness of further testing, such as mammography, breast ultrasound, or biopsy, if necessary, to confirm the cause of your breast pain.