Painful breast lump after lifting heavy objects

Recently i started working 10 hours days at work and all i do is pick up boxes that weigh that least 35lbs. the second day of work i started to feel pain in my right breast. i felt around and nothing was there. the next morning there was something that felt like a small ball in the bottom on my breast. that night i put a heating patch on it and it felt a lot better the next day. could i have pulled something picking up the heavy boxes at work?

THE BREAST DOCTORS SAY:

Yes you could have pulled the chest wall muscles (pectoral muscles) that are situated immediately behind the breast if you are involved in lifting heavy objects.  However pulling a muscle should not result in a lump that you can feel in the breast. If the lump persists, you should have a doctor check it out.

Intermittent pains after biopsy

I had a needle biopsy at the end of April, to check on tiny calcifications seen on my mammogram. Other than the mammo, I had no indications of anything abnormal. The test results were negative. The first month or so I had pain from all the ‘abuse’ I had been through, but even now, in mid-June, there are days when my breast has small sharp pains…not all the time….just sometimes. Is it normal to experience pain so long after a biopsy? Thanks for your help.

THE BREAST DOCTORS SAY:

If your biopsy test was negative for cancer, the tiny calcifications are probably due to fibrocystic change in the breast.  Women with fibrocystic change often experience intermittent sharp stabbing pains in the breast, which may or may not be related to the menstrual cycle. These pains can occur anywhere in the breast.  If however, your pain is limited to exactly the area that was biopsied, then the pain may be due to healing within the breast.  If a large area of tissue was removed for testing, there may be mild pain over several weeks as the cavity in the breast heals over.

Swollen and painful nipples

Lately my mother has developed extremely swollen nipples. The symptom do not last long, but this is the 3rd time in 5 months. Each time they swell, she complains on how painfully sensitive they feel. At first I thought that it might be related to menopause since she is in her 40`s, but now I am not so sure. Please advise.

THE BREAST DOCTORS SAY:

The sensation of painful and swollen nipples is not uncommon. Often it is related hormonal changes of the menstrual cycle and is harmless. Physical examination by a doctor is usually normal.  Sometimes these symptoms can be due to duct ectasia. Duct ectasia is a benign condition, and may be associated with a long standing nipple inversion, or nipple discharge.  In this condition, the milk ducts behind the nipple are inflammed and swollen, so this may give the symptoms of painful and swollen nipples. The condition is benign and no treatment is required unless recurrent abscesses occur under the nipple. Surgery may then be needed.

Breast lumps

I have a question I found a lump in my left breast and the doctor said I do have a couple of lumps in my left breast. My nipple is also a dark purple I am not pregnat I had my tubes tied after my second child. I dont know much family history my real grandma on my moms side died at 30 and my uncle died at 32 from hodgekins. My dad Wasnt around after i was born but i did find out from my sister who does talk to him that my aunt had breast cancer and had lost both breast. I am 27 years old I do have other health problem graves diease and Vitiman D deifency I had a tyroidectomy a few years ago maybe this is all related. My doctor just said yep you have lumps and sent me on my way. the one is on the side inside close to my under arm and the other is on top and that one is painful they do not go away after my menstal cycle either they are just there. Should I see another doctor or should i dimiss it like he did. Thanks in advance

THE BREAST DOCTORS SAY:

It would be useful to at least obtain an ultrasound of the breast to determine if the “lumps” are true lumps.  Most of the time, the ultrasound can differentiate between “lumpy” breasts, or lumps due to cysts or solid tumours, which fortunately are mostly benign in your age group. Your doctor may decide to send you on your way as most lumps in women in their late 20s are benign fibroadenomas or sometimes even cysts.  If you would like to be more certain about the nature of your lumps, you can ask your doctor for an ultrasound.

 

Large breast cysts

Hi, i have consulted a gynae and went for ultra scan for the lumps in both sides. 1 lump with size 5cm in my left side and 2 lumps of 1cm at my right side of my breasts. It turn out to be fibrosyst. My doctor suggest that i removed it asap as it is quite big. Is it necessary to go for the surgery since it’s not causing any pain at the moment and it’s benign? I’m concerned with the dent and scar after the surgery. Pls advise..

THE BREAST DOCTORS SAY:

If the 2 lumps are truly due to cysts, it is not necessary to remove them unless they are complex cysts and tissue for diagnosis is required. For simple cysts, the fluid within the cysts can be aspirated with a needle and the lump will resolve. This minimally invasive procedure will hence not result in any deformity in the breast by avoiding surgery. If the cysts are complex and need to be removed and tested for diagnosis, then breast deformity can be avoided by removing as little normal breast tissue around the cyst as possible during surgery.

Breast Pain

 

Dear Dr’s- I have had pain in my left breast for about 9 months now. It has not been constant, but does not seem to be in sync with my cycle either. I am 44, have had 5 kids and see my OB/Gyn yearly. I was late for my last mammo/ultrasound, but had one in Nov. It showed two oblong swollen glands in the left breast. I just had my 6 mo recheck and it showed the two still there in the left, one in the left armpit, a new round one in the right breast and one in the right armpit. I now have pain/burning in my back on the right side and have for about a week. Not sure if that is related. I will follow up with my dr, but if they tell me to wait it out another 6 months, should I wait or be more proactive? I do not know family history as I am adopted. Thank you for your help-I look forward to hearing from you soon=)

THE BREAST DOCTORS SAY:

In general, breast pain is not a typical symptom of a serious condition like breast cancer.  It is also unlikely that the pain over the back and right side is related to the “swollen glands” in the breast.  You can try to take evening primrose oil and the pain may improve over the next few weeks. However, the “swollen glands” should also be addressed. Depending on the size and appearance of the nodules seen on the ultrasound, you may wish to consider a biopsy, especially if they are worrying you. Do discuss with your doctor about your anxiety and whether a biopsy is necessary.

Multiple biopsies and scars

I have a long history of dense, fibrous breast tissue. I had my first mammogram at 18. I am now 46. I had a breast reduction at 25 and have had a few surgical biopsies. So, I have alot of scar tissue. I have always had a larger, lumpier and painful right breast. About 6 months ago I noticed an long irregular lump on my left breast, above the nipple. I also notices enlarged lymph nodes under both arms. I have no pain whatsoever from these new lumps. I waited until I was due for my yearly mammogram in May. I try not to get too freaked out about every lump I feel, because all I have are lumps. When I had the ultrasound, the technician called the radiologist in. He refused to say anything specific (of course) and the tech kept asking if she should graph the site of the lump and lymph nodes. I saw my doctor 10 days later. He said that because of the scar tissue its very difficult to be sure of anything but the radiologist says I have enlarged benign lymph nodes. The doctor says I do not require a biopsy of any kind and not to worry about anything. But he did go on and on about watching for changes in breast size, skin conditions, nipple discharge etc etc. Whenever I ignore my gut instincts, I regret it. I feel I should get a second opinion or insist upon a biopsy. I do not have any medical history because I am adopted. Does anyone else think this doctor is just brushing me off and taking the chance that all the lumps & nodes are benign? This is a new doctor. The doctor I have been seeing for 20 + years retired and this doctor has taken over his practice. Am I over reacting?

THE BREAST DOCTORS SAY:

Multiple previous biopsies and surgeries with scarring can make the breast ultrasound more difficult to interprete.  This appears to be so in your case, coupled with a new doctor who may not be familiar with you.  Benign lymph nodes can often be seen on ultrasound but this does not mean the lump is also benign.  If you feel that this irregular area in your left breast is a new finding, and the abnormality on the ultrasound was never previously present nor was it the site of any previous biopsy or surgery, it would be worthwhile getting a biopsy done.  Needle biopsies can be done under local anaesthesia and are minimally invasive, and do not necessarily result in further scarring. It may be a better option than constant worry and anxiety over a breast lump that you feel is just not right.