Mastalgia and associated breast diseases in a tertiary care center, Tamil Nadu: A cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT

Background: Mastalgia is the common breast condition among women. Mastalgia has highly variable prevalence which ranges 41–79%. It is more common in age group between 30 and 50 years. Mastalgia is approached according to its classification into three major categories, that is, cyclical pain, non-cyclical pain, and extra mammary pain. Breast pain ranges from mild to severe influencing the lifestyle of women affecting sexual relations, sleep pattern, and decreasing their daily life activities. Aim and Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of benign and malignant breast disease in mastalgia. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Government Medical College, Sivagangai. Patients complaining of breast pain were examined. The data were compiled in an Excel worksheet, Epiinfo version 7.0 was used to analyze the data. Results: In our study, 100 patients complaining of breast pain were examined ranging from age 18 to 68 years. The mean age of the study population was 37.54 years and standard deviation of 9.077. Among 100 patients with mastalgia only 1 (1.64%) had malignancy which is insignificant and among rest 99 patients with mastalgia, 60.61% had benign breast diseases and 39.39% had no any breast lesions. Benign breast diseases are more commonly found in patients with mastalgia. Conclusion: Women having mastalgia can be reassured and some lifestyle modifications may aid the women. Hence, early detection of any breast disease in women having mastalgia and treating accordingly has considerable importance. Lifestyle modifications are needed in patients with mastalgia and they should come to facility to check and identify the issues and solve soon.