Taking Care of Your Breast Health
Taking Care of Your Breast Health at Every Stage of Life
Breast health is important for everyone, at every age. While it’s normal for your breasts to go through changes over time, it can feel worrying or uncomfortable when something seems different.
By understanding what’s typical for you, staying on top of regular checkups, and recognizing signs that might need further attention, you can help catch any issues early—when they’re easiest to treat. Read on to learn about common breast health conditions and ways to safeguard your well-being.
Breast pain
Breast pain, also called mastalgia, is very common and affects up to 70% of women. Most breast pain is not caused by cancer — only 2 to 7% of cases are related to it ¹. The pain can feel like aching, heaviness, or burning, and it can happen in one or both breasts.
Breast pain can happen for different reasons. The most common type, called cyclic mastalgia, is linked to normal hormone changes during periods, pregnancy, or menopause, and often goes away on its own. Noncyclic and extramammary breast pain are less about hormones and more often caused by things like cysts, infections, injury, or even pain from other body parts like the chest wall or stomach.
Lumps
A breast lump is a swelling or bump in the breast, and while it can be scary, less than 1 in 4 lumps are related to cancer ². Lumps can happen at any age — in babies, kids, teens, and adults — often due to normal hormone changes.
Common causes include harmless fluid-filled cysts, noncancerous growths called fibroadenomas, or changes in breast tissue during the menstrual cycle ³. Some lumps go away on their own, but it’s always a good idea to get them checked by a doctor to be sure.
Infections
Lactational mastitis is breast inflammation in breastfeeding women caused by blocked milk flow and infection. This condition can result from factors such as nipple injury, latch difficulties, oversupply, skipped feedings, or the use of nipple shields. It causes pain, redness, swelling, and sometimes fever.
Lactational mastitis is a common problem during breastfeeding and can lead some women to stop nursing; about 1 in 4 say it was the reason they quit ⁴. It usually happens in the first few months after giving birth, with up to 1 in 3 women affected worldwide ⁴. Some may get it more than once, and about 3% to 11% of cases can lead to a painful pus-filled lump called a breast abscess ⁴.
Non-breastfeeding women can also get mastitis, which may look like cancer and needs different treatments like surgery, steroids, or other medications.
Nipple discharge
Most nipple discharge is caused by a non-cancerous growth called an intraductal papilloma, and removing it usually leads to a good outcome. Age matters – women over 40, especially those who are postmenopausal, have a higher chance that the discharge could be linked to something more serious.
Nipple discharge is a common breast concern, after pain and lumps. It happens in up to 80% of women of childbearing age, but most of the time (97%) it’s not caused by cancer ⁵. Despite this, any fluid that comes out of the nipple should be checked by a doctor. Abnormal discharge is frequently associated with other breast health conditions, such as a mass, swelling, redness, dimpled skin, or retracted nipple.
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, and 1 in 8 women will get it in their lifetime ⁶. The chance of getting breast cancer goes up as women get older, especially after age 40. There are different types of breast cancer, and the treatment depends on the type. Most breast cancers happen by chance, but a small number are caused by genetic changes.
The most common signs of breast cancer include a lump or thickening in the breast or underarm that feels different from the rest of the breast tissue, a change in the size or shape of the breast, and nipple changes such as inversion, discharge (especially if bloody), or crusting. Other warning signs can include skin changes on the breast, like dimpling (which can look like an orange peel), redness, or swelling.
Persistent pain in the breast or nipple, as well as a new lump in the armpit, may also be signs of concern. While these symptoms are often caused by non-cancerous conditions, it’s important to see a doctor if you notice any of them. Early detection and treatment give the best chance of a good treatment outcome.
Lab Tests That Help Check Breast Health
Being familiar with how your breasts look and feel can help you notice symptoms such as lumps, pain, or changes in size that may be of concern. You should report any changes that you notice to your doctor or health care provider.
Breast cancer screening can help find breast cancer early, when it is easier to treat. The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends that women who are 40 to 74 years old and are at average risk for breast cancer get a mammogram every 2 years ⁷.
Your doctor may order lab tests to learn more about your breast health, especially when trying to determine the cause of your symptoms. Some of these tests include:
- Hormone tests
- Tumor marker tests
- Genetic testing
- Biopsy testing
If a screening mammogram is abnormal, doctors use these other tests to find or diagnose breast cancer, or to find out if cancer cells have spread within the breast or to other parts of the body.
Stay On Top of Your Health
Get to know what’s normal for your body, especially your breasts; being familiar with how they usually look and feel can help you spot any changes early. If you do notice something different, don’t wait to talk to your doctor. It’s also important to keep up with regular checkups and screenings like mammograms.
If your doctor recommends lab work, choose HNL Lab Medicine. We’re here to make testing simple and stress-free, with quick results, friendly staff, and locations close to home. Let your doctor know you're ready to take the next step for your health!
REFERENCES
¹ Tahir, M.T., Vadakekut, E.S., & Shamsudeen, S. Mastalgia. (2025, February 06). In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562195/.
² National Library of Medicine. (2024, October 17). Breast lumps. National Institutes of Health. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/imagepages/17029.htm.
³ National Library of Medicine. (2023, November 25). Breast lump. National Institutes of Health. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003155.htm.
⁴ Blackmon, M.M., Nguyen, H., Vadakekut, E.S., & Mukherji, P. Acute Mastitis. (2024, December 11). In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557782/.
⁵ Sajadi-Ernazarova, K.R., Sugumar, K., Adigun, R. Breast Nipple Discharge. (Updated 2023, June 26). In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430938/.
⁶ Menon, G., Alkabban, F.M., Ferguson, T. Breast Cancer. (2024, February 25). In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482286/.
⁷ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, September 16). Screening for breast cancer. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.cdc.gov/breast-cancer/screening/index.html.