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Breast pain is very common in women and can occur at any time. While most breast pain is cyclical (occurs the same time each month, generally one to two weeks prior to a menstrual period), some women experience breast pain that is constant. Most pain is a normal bodily process and due to hormonal stimulation of the breast tissue. Only rarely is breast pain caused by breast cancer. Hormonal changes in the body can affect the breast in different ways. Some women experience breast pain as the result of their monthly menstrual cycle - the same hormones that cause a women's menstrual period every month also affect the breast tissue and can make the breasts feel heavy, tender or painful. The same symptoms can be experienced by women who are on hormone therapy, such as those who take it after menopause. For many women, changes in their hormones (such as beginning or stopping birth control pills or changing the particular type or dosage of hormone replacement therapy) can affect the way their breasts feel. Some women can be affected by caffeine intake (tea, coffee, cola, chocolate), and when they eliminate caffeine from their diet they notice improvement in breast pain or tenderness after several months. Occasionally fluid-filled cysts in the breast can cause breast pain and tenderness. Any concerns about specific symptoms should be reported to your physician. A thorough breast exam and an up-to-date mammogram can help to reassure that the breast pain is not due to cancer.

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