Feeling pain in your breast can be unsettling, and it’s natural to wonder if it might be breast cancer. The reassuring news is that breast pain (mastalgia) is very common and usually not related to cancer.
This article explains what the research shows, when to see a doctor, and practical steps you can take to feel more comfortable.
How Common Is Breast Pain?
Most women experience breast pain at some point in their lives — during puberty, before periods, in pregnancy, or around menopause as hormones fluctuate.
Breast pain can be:
- Cyclical: linked to the menstrual cycle, often dull or heavy, and worse before periods.
- Non-cyclical: unrelated to cycles; can be one-sided, sharp, or persistent.
- Extramammary: felt in the breast but actually coming from the chest wall, ribs, or muscles.
Source: Cornell et al., Mayo Clinic Proceedings 2020.
Does Breast Pain Mean Breast Cancer?
Short answer: almost always no.
- In a large study of over 10,000 women referred to breast clinics, only 0.4% (4 in 1,000) whose only symptom was pain were found to have cancer.
- Australia’s routine breast screening program detects about 6 cancers per 1,000 women screened — higher than the rate for pain-only presentations.
- Among women diagnosed with breast cancer, only about 6% reported pain as their first symptom. Most noticed a lump.
- When cancer is found in women presenting with breast pain, it is often not in the same area as the pain.
Sources: Dave et al., BJGP 2022; AIHW BreastScreen report 2022; Koo et al., Cancer Epidemiology 2017.
What Does Benign Breast Pain Feel Like?
Benign breast pain varies between people. It may be:
- A dull, heavy ache
- A burning sensation
- Sharp or stabbing pains
- Tenderness to touch
It may affect one or both breasts, be focal or more widespread. The key issue is whether the pain persists and whether it’s associated with any warning signs.
Red Flags — When to See a Doctor
- A new lump or persistent thickening in the breast or armpit
- Persistent, focal, one-sided pain that doesn’t improve
- Skin changes such as dimpling, redness, or swelling
- Nipple changes (new inversion, rash, crusting, ulceration)
- Spontaneous bloody nipple discharge
- Pain/swelling during pregnancy or breastfeeding that doesn’t settle
- Strong family history of breast cancer or a known gene mutation (e.g. BRCA1/2)
How Doctors Investigate Breast Symptoms
Doctors use the triple test to ensure nothing is missed:
- Clinical assessment — history and breast examination.
- Imaging — ultrasound and/or mammogram depending on age and findings.
- Tissue sampling — a biopsy (core biopsy or fine needle) if a suspicious area is seen.
When all three results agree and are normal, breast cancer can be safely ruled out.
Sources: Cancer Australia GP Guide (2025); ACR Appropriateness Criteria: Breast Pain (2018, reviewed).
Practical Steps to Relieve Breast Pain
If you have pain without red flags, these measures can help:
1) Supportive bra
A properly fitted bra (sports bra for activity, soft support at night if needed) often provides the most effective relief.
Evidence summary: Hafiz et al., J Prim Health Care 2018.
2) Topical relief
- Topical NSAID gels (e.g. diclofenac) are supported by systematic reviews as effective first-line options.
- Oral paracetamol or ibuprofen can be used if needed (short courses, if medically suitable).
Evidence summary: Hafiz et al., 2018; RCTs comparing topical NSAIDs vs alternatives.
3) Simple comfort measures
- Warm compresses, a heat pack, or a warm shower
- Cold packs if that feels more soothing
4) Lifestyle tweaks
- Reducing caffeine or dietary fat may help some women (evidence mixed).
- Maintaining a healthy weight and regular exercise benefits general hormonal health.
5) Supplements
- Evening primrose oil (EPO) and vitamin E have been studied, but results are inconsistent.
- If you wish to try them, discuss with your doctor and use a short monitored trial.
Evidence summary: Shahdadi et al., 2021.
6) Keep a diary
Track when pain occurs, its severity, and any links to your cycle. This helps identify patterns and guides care.
7) See your doctor if pain persists
If pain continues after trying the steps above for a couple of months, or interferes with daily life, see your GP. In select cases, stronger medications (e.g. tamoxifen) may be considered by a specialist after discussing risks and benefits.
Evidence summary: Cornell et al., 2020.
Key Takeaways
- Breast pain is common and usually not cancer.
- Only 0.4% of women with pain alone are found to have cancer.
- Among women diagnosed with cancer, about 6% had pain as the first symptom.
- See your doctor if pain is persistent, focal, or comes with red flag symptoms.
- Most cases improve with reassurance, a supportive bra, topical anti-inflammatories, and simple lifestyle steps.
References
- Cornell LF, Sandhu NP, Pruthi S, et al. Current Management and Treatment Options for Breast Pain. Mayo Clin Proc. 2020;95(3):574–580.
- Dave RV, et al. No association between breast pain and breast cancer: a prospective cohort study of 10,830 symptomatic women. Br J Gen Pract. 2022;72(717):e234–e241.
- Association of Breast Surgery (UK). Breast Pain Statement. Feb 2024.
- Koo MM, et al. Typical and atypical presenting symptoms of breast cancer and their associations with diagnostic intervals. Cancer Epidemiol. 2017;48:140–146.
- Cancer Australia. Investigation of a new breast symptom: a guide for General Practitioners. Updated 2025.
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. BreastScreen Australia monitoring report 2022.
- Hafiz SP, Barnes NLP, Kirwan CC. Clinical management of idiopathic mastalgia: a systematic review. J Prim Health Care. 2018;10(4):312–323.
- Shahdadi S, et al. Efficacy of Evening Primrose Oil for Mastalgia: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(12):6295.
- American College of Radiology. ACR Appropriateness Criteria®: Breast Pain. Revised 2018 (reviewed).
- NICE. Suspected cancer: recognition and referral (NG12). Updated 2021.