Breast pain

Breath easy…breast pain is rarely an early symptom of breast cancer.

Breast pain often comes and goes with your period as your hormone levels rise and fall. It’s more common in younger women, but happens after menopause too. Your breasts may feel heavy or sore; or you might feel a sharp, burning pain. You might feel pain in both breasts or just one.

Most breast pain goes away without treatment; a few lifestyle changes often bring relief.

Relieving your breast pain

• Wear a good support bra, especially when you exercise
• Cut back on caffeinated drinks
• Cut back on sodium a week before your period
• Get active at least 20-30 minutes most days
• Enjoy a low fat diet
• Take 100 IUs of vitamin E or 100 mg of vitamin B6 daily
• Take 1,000-3,000 mg of evening primrose oil or other omega 3 capsules daily (unless you have schizophrenia or epilepsy)
• Try 200-600 mg of ibuprofen 2-3 times a day for 1-2 weeks
• Apply moist heat 2-4 times a day