Q: Good morning Dr. I have been having this pain on my left breast for some days now. Though not severe but it’s giving me cause for bother. What could possibly be the cause ma’am?

A: Breast pain can be experienced as a burning or stabbing pain or it could be felt as soreness or heaviness. This usually occurs in the outer portion of the breast and may extend to the underarms and sometimes, all the way down the arms. Breast pain is commonly not a sign of cancer.

Breast pain could be cyclical, in which case, it is linked to menstrual cycle or non-cyclical, in which case it is not linked to menstrual cycle.

Cyclical breast pain occurs at about the same time every month, starting about 2 to 3 days before the menstruation starts and improving after the period. The intensity of the pain varies during the period…