Evaluation of mastalgia in patients presented to the breast clinic in Duhok city, Iraq: Cross sectional study

INTRODUCTION: Mastalgia is a common condition that may affect up to two-thirds of patients during the reproductive period. It can be divided into cyclical and noncyclical. It is mostly due to benign causes, but breast cancer should be excluded. It may be associated with a high level of stress and anxiety. Patients need to be assessed fully, breast and general examinations, and investigations such as breast imaging and hormonal assay. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a prospective study that was done in the breast clinic in the period between February 2019 and July 2019. A total number of 445 patients with mastalgia included were in the study. Patients were examined and evaluated using various imaging modalities. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 34 years. Mastalgia was present in 54.2% of our patients, in about 70.1% of our patients it was noncyclical mastalgia. Mastalgia was positively correlated with smoking, oral contraceptive pills, and positive family history of breast cancer (p values: 0.000, 0.009, and 0.000) respectively with no correlation with other factors. The type of pain was less in women having early first pregnancy and with the site of the pain showed a positive correlation with the type of pain, (p values: 0.001 and 0.000) respectively. CONCLUSION: Mastalgia is a common complaint which may affect most females. It is caused by benign breast disorders in the majority of patients. A systematic approach must be followed for the management of mastalgia. Reassurance, regular exercise, and local analgesics may be very effective initial measures. In severe, intractable cases, hormonal therapy may be used.