Abstract
Breast pain or mastalgia is the common symptom in the breast. The two most common concerns of patients presenting with mastalgia are: the fear that breast pain is a symptom of breast cancer and the presence of severe pain that affects a woman's quality of life. Breast pain requires thorough assessment and should be investigated in the same manner as any other breast symptom. We conducted a systematic review of treatment for breast pain. We searched various reviews, randomized controlled trial, and observational studies over Pubmed and Medline via internet. Searches were carried out on MEDLINE (1950-present), EMBASE (1980-present), and CINAHL (1981-present) using the NHS Evidence Healthcare Databases Advanced Search interface. A further search was also carried out on Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (issue 12 of 12, Dec 2011) and Central Register of Controlled Trials (issue 4 of 4, Oct 2011). If no abnormality is found in the breast on assessment, then a combination of reassurance, breast support brassiere, and topical NSAID gel massage are usually effective. Antiestrogen (centchroman/tamoxifen) therapy for 3 to 6months is the second-line treatment of choice. Danazol may be used in resistant cases. Gamma-linolenic acid or evening primrose oil though commonly prescribed is not effective.
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