Women, 'chest pain', if you have these symptoms, go to the hospital quickly
Jul 22, 2024
|
In general, it is a feeling of tingling or aching, poking or tingling. There are even complaints of stabbing pain with a knife or needle.
When breast pain like this occurs, most people feel anxious about whether it is breast cancer.
▶ Cause of occurrence and if it is okay
Breast pain can be caused by a number of causes. Among them, hormonal changes are pointed out as the main cause. In addition, drugs or foods that affect the autonomic nervous system and peripheral blood vessels, excessive caffeine intake, smoking, and stress can be the cause. Among the diseases, infectious lesions such as mastitis, cystic diseases, tumors, and vasculitis can cause breast pain.
Most breast pain is caused by temporary or functional changes and can be improved within a few weeks without special treatment. However, it is better to know in which cases it is okay and in which cases you should be examined for suspected breast disease (such as breast cancer).
Regarding the case of temporary and decent breast pain, Kwak Hee-sook, director of breast surgery at Centum General Hospital, said, `First of all, it is pain related to the menstrual cycle. During the menstrual cycle, breast pain can occur due to changes in hormone levels. These pains occur before menstruation and relieve when menstruation begins. The following are breast pain caused by pregnancy and lactation, trauma, or muscle tension. Pregnancy can cause pain as the breast grows. It is explained that breast pain is temporary and does not cause major problems.
▶ Suspected breast disease
On the other hand, there is pain, which means breast disease.
According to Kwak Hee-sook's explanation, the first is when the pain lasts for more than a few weeks or recurs periodically. The second is when a mass or nodule is found in the breast. This can be a sign of various breast diseases, including the possibility of breast cancer. In particular, if a mass is found in the breast, the size, shape, and texture of the mass should be carefully observed and further examined. The third is when pain is accompanied by other symptoms such as swelling of the breast, fever, and changes in secretion. This can also suspect breast disease. One thing to be aware of is that you feel pain when you touch a lump on your breast. In this case, it is necessary to get a checkup quickly to discriminate against breast cancer.
Manager Kwak Hee-sook said "In the case of periodic breast pain, it is considered normal that discomfort such as heavy feeling, fullness, and tenderness on the breast begins a few days before the start of menstruation and disappears at the end of menstruation. However, if the discomfort persists for more than a week or interferes with your life, you should seek help from a doctor. Even if the breast is lightly stimulated, it is subject to treatment if the pain is severe or the pain period is prolonged.
▶ Examination method and treatment method
When a breast pain patient is examined by a doctor, he or she should first talk about his or her detailed medical history, including the pain pattern. Examples include the timing and duration of breast pain, the location and severity of pain, the relationship with breast pain and physiology, the degree of disruption in daily life, eating habits, taking drugs, and experiencing breast surgery. Other screening methods include ultrasound, mammography, breast biopsy, and fine needle aspiration cytology. If no special mass appears in the test, about 80% of patients tend to improve due to psychological stability. Patients who do not improve are recommended to write a 'self-recorded' of their pain patterns for about three months, limiting caffeine-rich drinks, high-fat diets, and drugs that can cause breast pain.
Breast pain treatment depends on its cause and severity.
Common treatments include medications (painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs, etc.), diet (restrictions on caffeine and lipids intake, low-salt diets), use of hormone drugs, use of warm and cold packs, wearing comfortable and appropriate bras, and managing stress. When breast pain persists without responding to all other treatments, partial mastectomy, total resection, or mastoplasty may be considered, but it should be decided carefully through specialist counseling.
Breast pain is the most common symptom in female patients visiting breast care, accounting for about two-thirds of all patients. About half of women who engage in social activities are reported to have mild breast pain. Many women feel breast pain before their periods, so it is often unclear to what extent the pain and condition is pathological. However, if you neglect breast pain, you may miss the timing of treatment, so if you suspect a disease or have abnormal symptoms, you should consult a specialist for examination.
Kwak Hee-sook said, `For a woman's breast health, it is necessary to check her breast condition through a monthly self-examination. In particular, it is necessary to actively utilize the national cancer screening support project, as women aged 40 or older can undergo mammography once every two years. The society recommends a clinical examination and mammography every 1-2 years for a shorter period of time.
|
bellho@sportschosun.com
