In the 'Symptoms - Female' section of our in-depth questionnaire we ask the following question about non-cyclical breast pain:
 |
 |
 |
|
Are you currently experiencing breast tenderness, soreness or swelling that is not associated with your menstrual cycle? If it is related to your cycle, answer the question that comes later.
|
Your answer |
...indicates |
...and suggests |
| 1. |
"Don't know / it is related to my cycle" |
|
|
| 2. |
"No" |
Not having non-cyclical breast pain |
A symptom |
| 3. |
"Yes, slight, for under 1 month" |
Recent non-cyclical breast pain |
A symptom |
| 4. |
"Yes, severe, for under 1 month" |
Recent non-cyclical breast pain |
A symptom |
| 5. |
"Yes, for over 1 month" |
Chronic non-cyclical breast pain |
A symptom |
|
|
 |
|
 |
Your answer will affect the likelihoods of the conditions below.
Any answers in green reduce the likelihood of the condition.
|
|
|
|
| Answers |
Condition |
Comment |
|
|
3 |
4 |
5 |
Breast Cancer |
(Women only) Many women with breast pain worry that it might be breast cancer. This is very unlikely. Breast pain is very common - about 70% of women have it at some time. Doctors at the Edinburgh Breast Unit have looked at the medical records of more than 8,500 women who attended the Unit simply because of breast pain. They found that less than 3% of these women - whose breast pain was probably quite severe - had breast cancer. Breast cancer is extremely unlikely if your only symptom is pain that varies with the menstrual cycle, or if both breasts are affected. |
|
|
|
|
|
GLOSSARY
Cancer
Refers to the various types of malignant neoplasms that contain cells growing out of control and invading adjacent tissues, which may metastasize to distant tissues.
Menstruation (Menses, Menstrual, Menstrual Cycle, Menstrual Cycles, Menstrual Flow, Menstrual Phase, Monthly Cycle)
The periodic discharge of blood, tissue fluid and mucus from the endometrium (lining of the uterus) that usually lasts from 3 - 5 days. It is caused by a sudden reduction in estrogens and progesterone.
Last updated: May 10, 2007
|
 |
|
|
