1. What's Causing Your Pelvic Pain Slideshow
2. Disease Prevention in Women Slideshow Pictures
3. Happiness Quiz: Test Your Emotional Intelligence Quotient (EQ)

Medical Author:

M Ruby Alvi, MD, CCFP, MHSc

Medical Reviewer:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

View Full Profile

Recommended mammograms should be part of your routine health maintenance screening. Keep track of when your last mammogram was done and inform your doctor when you are due for another, based on your doctor's recommendations. Be aware of your body and the changes you notice on examining yourself. If you notice a mass, this should also be reported to your health care professional.

• Follow-up care will vary depending on the cause of your breast pain, severity of symptoms, and treatment strategy. You should discuss a follow-up plan with your doctor. Regular and routine mammograms are an excellent investment in your future well-being.
• If you have a breast infection, you will usually be seen for a recheck in 24-48 hours. Take all antibiotics as prescribed.
• Close follow-up of any breast lump or infection is also important to rule out breast cancer. Mastitis does not cause cancer, but cancer can mimic mastitis in appearance. If a breast infection is slow to go away, your health care professional may recommend a mammogram or other tests to rule out cancer.

Must Read Articles Related to Breast Lumps and Pain

Breast Cancer Breast cancer is cancer arising in breast tissue. Cancer is simply a group of abnormal cells that have abnormal growth patterns. Although breast cancer is...learn more >>

Breast Infection Mastitis is an infection of the tissue of the breast that occurs most frequently during the time of breastfeeding. This infection causes pain, swelling, redness...learn more >>

Breast Reconstruction Breast reconstruction is surgery to restore the breast of women after mastectomy (removal of the breast). Breast reconstruction may involve implants or using th...learn more >>

See the Entire Breast Lumps and Pain Topic Guide »