Breast tenderness can occur in women of any age. Sometimes touching the breasts will cause pain. The causes of this symptom are mainly pathological and physiological. Physiological symptoms are often temporary and will disappear once the menstrual period is over. There is generally no need to worry. Pathological ones should be taken seriously because they may be a manifestation of breast hyperplasia or breast cancer.

1. Causes and symptoms

1. Pathological tactile pain 1) Breast hyperplasia pain: Breast hyperplasia pain can radiate to the armpits, shoulders and back. When touching the breast, you can feel movable lumps of varying sizes and unclear edges. It can also be affected by menstruation and emotions. This type of breast pain is caused by metabolic disorders, accumulation of metabolic waste, and stagnation of qi and blood in the body. 2) Mastitis-induced breast pain: manifested as dull pain, distending pain or stabbing pain, and the pain may radiate to the armpits, shoulders and upper limbs. 3) Cancer-related breast pain: When breast pain persists, the pain is fixed and radiates to the shoulders and back, and there is a feeling of weight in the shoulders, there is a possibility of breast cancer. It should be taken seriously and go to the hospital for examination as soon as possible.

2. Physiological pain caused by contact

1. Breast tenderness during adolescence: The earliest breast pain in girls usually occurs between the ages of 9 and 13. First, the nipple swells, and a pea- to bean-sized dome-shaped lump appears in the breast tissue under the nipple, which is slightly swollen and painful. After menarche, it disappears on its own as the breasts mature in puberty.
2. Premenstrual breast tenderness: More than half of women experience breast fullness, hardness, and tenderness before menstruation. In severe cases, the breasts may become swollen and painful even with the slightest vibration or collision, and the original granular or nodular feeling may become more obvious. This is caused by increased estrogen levels in the body before menstruation, breast hyperplasia, and edema of the breast interstitial tissue. The above changes may disappear after menstruation.
3. Breast tenderness during pregnancy: Some women experience breast tenderness around 40 days after pregnancy because the placenta and villi secrete large amounts of estrogen, progesterone, and prolactin, which cause breast hyperplasia and breast enlargement. In severe cases, the pain may last throughout the pregnancy and generally does not require treatment.
4. Postpartum breast pain: Breast swelling, hardening and pain may often occur 3-7 days after delivery. This is mainly caused by breast lymph retention, venous congestion, interstitial edema and obstruction of mammary ducts.
5. Breast tenderness after abortion: After abortion, some women experience breast tenderness and a lump may be felt. This is because the pregnancy is suddenly interrupted, and the hormone levels in the body drop sharply, causing the newly developed mammary glands to suddenly stop growing, resulting in breast lumps and breast pain.
6. Breast tenderness after sexual intercourse: This is related to the physiological changes in the breasts during sexual intercourse. People with low libido or disharmonious sex life cannot achieve sexual satisfaction, so breast congestion and swelling are not easy to subside, or they subside incompletely. Continuous congestion will cause breast pain.

2. Diet to prevent breast cancer

1. Kelp

Kelp not only contains rich vitamin E and dietary fiber, but also contains the trace element iodine. Scientists believe that iodine deficiency is one of the causes of breast cancer, so eating kelp regularly can help prevent breast cancer. The low incidence of breast cancer in Japanese women may be related to their regular intake of seaweed foods such as kelp. At the same time, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, water chestnuts, water chestnuts, and beans are also delicious foods that can prevent breast cancer.

2. Radish and carrot

There is an old saying in the countryside: "Eat radish in winter and ginger in summer, and you will never have to go to the pharmacy again." Radish contains a variety of enzymes that can eliminate the carcinogenic effects of nitrosamines; its lignin can stimulate the body's immunity; the spicy taste of radish comes from mustard oil, which can stimulate intestinal peristalsis. Radish contains a lot of vitamin C, and carrots are also rich in carotene. So they have excellent anti-cancer effects.