Should I Be Concerned About Sore Nipples and Breasts?

I'm getting ready to have my 53rd birthday, and for the last two weeks my breasts (especially my nipples) has been very sore and tender. There has never been any breast cancer diagnosed in my family. Should I be concerned?

Any persistent breast pain should be evaluated by your healthcare provider. Breast cancer, which of course is our biggest concern, usually is not painful - but it can be, so your symptoms need to be evaluated. Most women who are diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history of breast cancer.

Common benign or normal causes of breast pain are hormonal fluctuations, caffeine stimulation, and breast cysts.

Sensitivity in the nipples can be caused by skin-related conditions like eczema or dermatitis in response to new products that you are using.

It is always best to be safe than sorry and make sure that your exam is normal.