Breast Pain

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What to Expect at your Health Care Provider's Office

Your health care provider will perform a breast examination and ask questions about your breast pain, such as:

• How long have you had the symptoms?
• Are one or both of your breasts affected?
• Do you have any nipple discharge?
• Do you perform breast self-examination?
• Have you noticed any lumps or anything unusual when you examine your breasts?
• When was your last mammogram?
• What other symptoms are present? Do you have fever?
• What medication are you currently taking?

• Breast biopsy
• Culture of nipple discharge to test for infection
• Cytology (microscopic evaluation) of nipple discharge
• Mammography
• Fine needle aspiration -- a small needle is inserted into the breast to remove fluid that may have collected in a cyst (usually not cancerous)

Treatment may include the following:

• Pain relievers may be prescribed.
• Changes to your diet may be suggested.
• Certain medications may be changed or discontinued.

Your health care provider should schedule a follow-up visit in case the symptoms have not resolved in a given period of time. He or she may recommend consultation with a specialist if the symptoms do not go away or if you have a complicated condition.