--- title: "Does Breast Cancer Hurt? Breast Pain vs Cancer Symptoms" description: "Does breast cancer hurt? Why many breast cancers cause no pain, what usually causes breast pain, and when the NHS says to get a lump, change or pain checked." url: https://breastcancer-charity.org/answers/does-breast-cancer-hurt/ robots: noindex --- # Does Breast Cancer Hurt? Breast Pain vs Cancer Symptoms Myths and facts ## Quick answer Often not. The NHS says breast cancer symptoms, such as a lump or a skin or nipple change, can happen without any pain, and that breast pain by itself is not usually a symptom of breast cancer. Do not wait for pain: see a GP or doctor about any lump or change that is not normal for you. Source: [NHS: Symptoms of breast cancer in women](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/breast-cancer-in-women/symptoms-of-breast-cancer-in-women/) **Content updated:** 22 October 2026 . Reviewed by a UK GP for World Aid Network on 22 October 2026 . [How we prepare health information](https://breastcancer-charity.org/editorial-policy/) · [Report an error](https://breastcancer-charity.org/corrections/) **How this page is sourced:** health information here comes from NHS, NICE and WHO pages, linked beside each claim. It is general information: a GP or doctor can advise on your own situation. ## Quick facts Breast pain on its own Not usually a symptom of breast cancer Source: [NHS: Symptoms of breast cancer in women](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/breast-cancer-in-women/symptoms-of-breast-cancer-in-women/) Breast cancer lumps Often without pain, says the World Health Organization Source: [World Health Organization: Breast cancer fact sheet](https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/breast-cancer) Usual cause of breast pain Periods: pain often begins up to 2 weeks before a period and goes when it ends Source: [NHS: Breast pain](https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/breast-pain/) Pain that does not go away See a GP about pain in your breast or armpit that does not go away Source: [NHS: How to check your breasts or chest](https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/how-to-check-your-breasts-or-chest/) ## Key takeaways - Breast cancer can cause a lump without pain, so anyone with an abnormal breast lump should seek medical care even if it does not hurt. [(World Health Organization: Breast cancer fact sheet)](https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/breast-cancer) - Breast pain by itself is unlikely to be a symptom of cancer. [(NHS: Breast pain)](https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/breast-pain/) - Breast pain is usually linked to periods. Other causes include injuries, some medicines, mastitis, pregnancy and the menopause. [(NHS: Breast pain)](https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/breast-pain/) - Having breast pain does not increase your risk of breast cancer, according to an NHS hospital leaflet. [(Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust: Breast pain (mastalgia) leaflet)](https://www.ruh.nhs.uk/patients/patient_information/BRU022_Mastalgia.pdf) - Get pain or discomfort in the breast or armpit checked if it is there all or almost all the time. [(NHS England (GOV.UK): NHS breast screening – helping you decide)](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/breast-screening-helping-women-decide/nhs-breast-screening-helping-you-decide) ## Is breast cancer painful? Often not. The NHS lists the main symptoms of breast cancer as a lump or swelling, skin changes, a change in size or shape, nipple discharge and changes to the nipple. It says you may get pain in your breast or armpit with these symptoms, but you can have them without any pain. The World Health Organization describes a breast cancer lump or thickening as often without pain, and says anyone with an abnormal breast lump should seek medical care even if the lump does not hurt. Some people with breast cancer do have pain. The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust says breast pain is a less common symptom of breast cancer, but people do experience it. Sources: [NHS: Symptoms of breast cancer in women](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/breast-cancer-in-women/symptoms-of-breast-cancer-in-women/); [World Health Organization: Breast cancer fact sheet](https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/breast-cancer); [The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust: Everything you need to know about breast cancer](https://www.royalmarsden.nhs.uk/private-care/news-and-blogs/everything-you-need-know-about-breast-cancer-breast-cancer-awareness) ## What usually causes breast pain? The NHS says breast pain is usually linked to periods. This pain often begins up to 2 weeks before a period, gets worse and then goes away when the period ends. It feels dull, heavy or aching, affects both breasts and sometimes spreads to the armpit. Other causes of breast pain include: - injuries or sprains to the neck, shoulder or back, which can be felt as breast pain - medicines such as the contraceptive pill and some antidepressants - conditions like mastitis or a breast abscess - pregnancy - hormone changes during the menopause Source: [NHS: Breast pain](https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/breast-pain/) ## Does breast pain mean cancer? Usually not. The NHS says breast pain by itself is unlikely to be a symptom of cancer. Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust says it is extremely unusual for breast pain to be the first sign of breast cancer, and that having breast pain does not increase your risk of breast cancer. That does not mean pain should be ignored. NHS England’s screening leaflet says that if you have pain or discomfort in the breast or armpit that is there all or almost all the time, it is best to get it checked. Sources: [NHS: Breast pain](https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/breast-pain/); [Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust: Breast pain (mastalgia) leaflet](https://www.ruh.nhs.uk/patients/patient_information/BRU022_Mastalgia.pdf); [NHS England (GOV.UK): NHS breast screening – helping you decide](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/breast-screening-helping-women-decide/nhs-breast-screening-helping-you-decide) ## When should breast pain be checked? The NHS says to see a GP about breast pain if: - it is not improving or painkillers are not helping - there is a history of breast cancer in your family - you have any signs of pregnancy In the UK, ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if: - you have breast pain and a very high temperature, or feel hot, cold or shivery - any part of your breast is red, hot or swollen - there is a hard lump in your breast that does not move around - you get nipple discharge, which may be streaked with blood - one or both breasts change shape - the skin on your breast is dimpled, like orange peel - you have a rash on or around your nipple, or the nipple has sunk into your breast Source: [NHS: Breast pain](https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/breast-pain/) ## Which breast changes should you get checked, even without pain? See a GP or doctor if you notice any of these, whether or not they hurt: - a lump or swelling in your breast, chest or armpit - a change in the skin of your breast, such as dimpling (it may look like orange peel) - a change in skin colour – on white skin it may look red, on black or brown skin it may look darker than usual - a change in the size or shape of one or both breasts - nipple discharge (if you are not pregnant or breastfeeding), which may have blood in it - a change in the shape or look of your nipple, such as it turning inwards or a rash on it In England, NICE guidance for GPs says people aged 30 and over with an unexplained breast lump, with or without pain, should be referred on a suspected cancer pathway. Sources: [NHS: Symptoms of breast cancer in women](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/breast-cancer-in-women/symptoms-of-breast-cancer-in-women/); [NICE NG12: Suspected cancer – recognition and referral (breast cancer)](https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng12/chapter/Recommendations-organised-by-site-of-cancer) ## Frequently asked questions Is a cancerous breast lump painful? Often not. The World Health Organization says breast cancer can cause a breast lump or thickening, often without pain. It advises that anyone with an abnormal breast lump should seek medical care, even if the lump does not hurt. Source: [World Health Organization: Breast cancer fact sheet](https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/breast-cancer) Can breast cancer cause armpit pain? It can. The NHS says you may get pain in your breast or armpit alongside symptoms such as a lump or swelling in your breast, chest or armpit. But these symptoms can also happen without any pain, so get any armpit lump checked. Source: [NHS: Symptoms of breast cancer in women](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/breast-cancer-in-women/symptoms-of-breast-cancer-in-women/) Is breast pain before a period normal? It is common. The NHS says breast pain linked to periods usually begins up to 2 weeks before a period and goes away when the period ends. It often feels dull, heavy or aching, affects both breasts and can spread to the armpit. Source: [NHS: Breast pain](https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/breast-pain/) What can ease breast pain? General NHS advice is to take paracetamol or ibuprofen, or rub painkilling gel on your breasts, and to wear a properly fitted bra during the day and a soft bra to sleep in. It says there is little evidence that vitamin E tablets or evening primrose oil help. Source: [NHS: Breast pain](https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/breast-pain/) Does breast pain raise my risk of breast cancer? No. A breast pain leaflet from Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust says having breast pain does not increase your risk of breast cancer. It adds that you should still see your doctor if the pain gets worse or changes, or you notice any other breast changes. Source: [Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust: Breast pain (mastalgia) leaflet](https://www.ruh.nhs.uk/patients/patient_information/BRU022_Mastalgia.pdf) ## Sources and references - [NHS: Symptoms of breast cancer in women](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/breast-cancer-in-women/symptoms-of-breast-cancer-in-women/) - [World Health Organization: Breast cancer fact sheet](https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/breast-cancer) - [The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust: Everything you need to know about breast cancer](https://www.royalmarsden.nhs.uk/private-care/news-and-blogs/everything-you-need-know-about-breast-cancer-breast-cancer-awareness) - [NHS: Breast pain](https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/breast-pain/) - [Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust: Breast pain (mastalgia) leaflet](https://www.ruh.nhs.uk/patients/patient_information/BRU022_Mastalgia.pdf) - [NHS England (GOV.UK): NHS breast screening – helping you decide](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/breast-screening-helping-women-decide/nhs-breast-screening-helping-you-decide) - [NHS: How to check your breasts or chest](https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/how-to-check-your-breasts-or-chest/) - [NICE NG12: Suspected cancer – recognition and referral (breast cancer)](https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng12/chapter/Recommendations-organised-by-site-of-cancer) This page is general information, not medical advice. A GP or doctor can advise on your own situation. Source links do not imply endorsement by the NHS or another organisation. 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