What Causes Sudden Pain In The Right Breast?

Posted on Tue, 24 Jan 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 24 Jan 2017 Answered on

Wed, 15 Feb 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : Other than cancer, what could explain a sudden onset at night (keeping awake) of right breast pain in 63 year old woman which has continued steadily, though intermittently, all day. Last breast exam two years ago. No lump detected by hand.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (13 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Cancer never causes pain until very last stage

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have studied your case. First I want to tell you that cancer is never painful unless it is very last stage. So this sudden onset pain can not be cancer for sure. I believe that it is most probably a muscle pull or due to your fibromyalgia. There can be tender points which cause severe pain. If this pain increases then you need to get a chest x-ray to see if there is any bone related problem in the chest. Sometimes there can be the hairline fracture in ribs, even following the violent bout of a cough. This will improve with rest.
I hope this answer will be useful for you.Let me know if there are any other follow-up questions.
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy