At first glance, women who reported drinking two to three cups of caffeinated coffee per day had a 12% higher risk of invasive breast cancer compared to non-drinkers. But that association was not statistically significant after adjusting for lifestyle factors, such as smoking and alcohol consumption.
Premenopausal women with higher coffee intake had a higher percentage of breast density. Postmenopausal women on hormone therapy who had higher coffee and caffeine intake had a lower percentage of breast density.
No, caffeine doesn't appear to cause breast cysts. Breast cysts often form as a result of fibrocystic breast changes, a noncancerous (benign) breast disease.
Overall, there was no link between breast cancer risk and coffee drinking. But, drinking coffee was associated with a lower risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Another study published in January 2015 confirmed the connection between coffee and lowered breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women.
In terms of breast density, there is no evidence that caffeine influences breast tissue density as determined on mammography one way or the other – coffee will not make your mammogram white!
The study only looked at these factors at one point in time, and cannot demonstrate that coffee consumption 'caused' the tested breast volume, or causes breasts to shrink.
This is known as cyclical breast pain. In the days leading up to your period, your estrogen and progesterone levels can fluctuate dramatically. Estrogen and progesterone increase the size and number of ducts and glands in the breast. They also cause your breasts to retain water, making them heavy and tender.
published research findings indicating discovery of an association between consumption of caffeine and breast pain. They found that biopsied breast specimens in women with reported breast pain contained greater numbers of cyclic nucleotides, such as adenosine monophosphate (c-AMP) and guanosine monophosphate (c-GMP).
“Drinking caffeine can increase estrogen levels in women, sometimes leading to an estrogen dominant state,” says Odelia Lewis, MD, a medical contributor to ABC News Medical Unit. “Estrogen dominance is associated with premenstrual syndrome, heavy periods, fibrocystic breasts, and even certain breast cancers.
Causes of breast lumps
They're often caused by something harmless like a non-cancerous tissue growth (fibroadenoma) or a build-up of fluid (breast cyst). Breast Cancer Now has more information about fibroadenoma and breast cysts. Sometimes, a breast lump can be a sign of something serious like breast cancer.
Avoid caffeine.
Studies haven't shown a link between caffeine and breast cysts. However, some women find symptom relief after eliminating caffeine from their diets. Consider reducing or eliminating caffeine — in beverages, as well as in foods such as chocolate — to see if your symptoms improve.
Breast lumps can be caused by: Breast cancer. Breast cysts (fluid-filled sacs in breast tissue that are usually benign) Fibroadenoma (a solid, benign mass most common in young women)
Coffee still has potential risks, mostly due to its high caffeine content. For example, it can temporarily raise blood pressure. Women who are pregnant, trying to become pregnant or breastfeeding need to be cautious about caffeine.
Consuming caffeine to stay awake at night may lead to sleeplessness, anxiety, frequent nighttime awakenings, and overall poorer sleep quality.
Women may experience breast pain during puberty, menstruation, premenstrual syndrome, pregnancy, menopause, and after childbirth. Breast pain felt during these times is considered normal. Breast pain associated with menstrual periods – called cyclic breast pain – normally goes away on its own.
Breast pain that is described as burning, stabbing, and/or sharp, may be due to fibroadenomas, breast cysts, infection of the breast (mastitis), or breast abscesses. Pain under the breast could be related to persistent moisture and irritation in the skin fold, which is called intertrigo, says Dr. Shteynberg.
Hormones can also affect cyclical breast pain due to stress. Breast pain can increase or change its pattern with the hormone changes that happen during times of stress. Hormones may not provide the total answer to cyclical breast pain. That's because the pain is often more severe in one breast than in the other.
Natural decline of estrogen
This reduced amount of estrogen causes the skin and connective tissue of the breast to become less hydrated, making it less elastic. With less elasticity, the breasts lose firmness and fullness and can develop a stretched and looser appearance.
Use hot or cold compresses on your breasts. Wear a firm support bra, fitted by a professional if possible. Wear a sports bra during exercise, especially when your breasts may be more sensitive. Experiment with relaxation therapy, which can help control the high levels of anxiety associated with severe breast pain.
Shape and size of a breast lump
A tumor may feel more like a rock than a grape. A cancerous lump is usually hard, not soft or squishy. And it often has angular, irregular, asymmetrical edges, as opposed to being smooth, Dr. Comander says.
Hormonal fluctuations are the number one reason women have breast pain. Breasts become sore three to five days prior to the beginning of a menstrual period and stop hurting after it starts. This is due to a rise in estrogen and progesterone right before your period.