Breast Pain Clinic

As many of you know, breast pain is one of the most common breast related complaints from patients. Isolated breast pain is rarely associated with breast cancer and according to the NCCN guidelines can be managed by the patient's primary care doctor. We understand that some patients would feel more comfortable being evaluated for this condition in the breast center and therefore have developed for their convenience the Breast Pain Clinic in the Aurbach Breast Center, run by Dana Dowd, our nurse practitioner. Here is an outline how women with breast pain will be managed through the Breast Center:

1. History and physical examination
2. Pain Assessment
3. Breast imaging
   • u/s for women with focal, persistent breast pain (any age)
   • Mammogram for all women with focal breast pain >age 28
4. Referral to surgeon for abnormal findings on physical exam or breast imaging
5. Management of breast pain
   • education and reassurance
   • non-pharmacologic interventions such as supportive well, fitting bra and physical measures for pain relief
   • pharmacologic intervention-trial of evening primrose oil, NSAIDS - prospective diary of breast pain with short term follow-up appointment for additional reassurance

If you have any questions about the Breast Pain Clinic, please feel free to contact me by email or by phone.

Claire T. Cronin, MD, Clinical Director Auerbach Breast Center