What causes chest pain and swelling?

Breast pain can be said to be a common disease among female friends. Some people even cannot touch it because of the pain. However, 90% of the pain is benign. But breast pain still makes many female friends worry, thinking that they have breast cancer. Breast pain is indeed a precursor to many diseases, but it cannot be equated with breast cancer. So, what causes chest pain and swelling? Let me introduce it to you now.

Pain is indeed a warning sign of disease, but breast pain does not mean breast cancer. Statistically, only about 5% of breast cancers present as breast pain, while the majority present as painless breast lumps. Therefore, Dr. Chen Huomu, a surgeon at Taipei Women's and Children's Hospital, pointed out that breast pain does not necessarily mean that a breast tumor has grown, and a breast tumor does not necessarily mean that it will cause pain. It is best for female friends to understand the types and causes of breast pain and consult a doctor regularly to avoid being overly nervous and causing mental anxiety, or being overly relaxed and delaying the disease. Chest swelling and pain can be divided into physiological and non-physiological factors.

Pain in women's bodies can be roughly divided into "physiological" and "non-physiological" aspects, and the same is true for breast pain. The pain may be caused by: (1) breast development during puberty; (2) before and after menstruation; (3) improper bra; (4) large breasts; (5) mastitis; (6) trauma; (7) fibrocystic changes in the breast; and (8) breast lumps (including benign tumors and breast cancer). Breast pain during adolescence is caused by the hyperplasia of the breast glands. A lump may be felt during palpation, and it may be accompanied by spontaneous pain or tenderness. There is no need to worry too much, as it will disappear naturally after the rapid development period of the breasts. If the pain is unbearable, hot compresses can be used to relieve the pain.

Breast pain and swelling before menstruation are physiological phenomena that most women experience. This is because hormones cause cyclical tissue changes in the breast, which leads to vascular dilation. Progesterone in particular plays an important role.

Sometimes, an ill-fitting bra can cause breast pain, especially in patients who experience obvious pain in the rib area below the breast, which is often caused by using a new bra. Excessive breast size can sometimes be a cause of pain. The breasts are fixed to the front of the chest by connective tissue. When the breasts are too large or too heavy, especially the inner side of the breasts, pain will occur as a result of gravity pulling downward for a long time. This can be improved by using a suitable bra to lift the breasts and reduce the impact of gravity.

Patients should keep a happy spirit and try to avoid mood swings. It is normal to experience back pain, breast pain, vomiting, and diarrhea before menstruation because of the increase in estrogen. The pain will go away after menstruation, so female friends should not worry too much, be careful not to overwork, keep a happy mood, and eat a balanced diet.