Mastalgia Among Women Attending the Outpatient Clinics in Alwahda Teaching Hospital, Derna

Mastalgia, also known as mastodynia or breast pain, is a common symptom in clinical practice, with a prevalence ranging from 50% to 80% among women throughout their lives. While only a minority of women may require treatment, a proper assessment is essential for all patients to rule out underlying breast pathology. Addressing concerns, particularly the fear of harbouring cancer and the impact of severe pain on daily life, is crucial. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence of both cyclical and non-cyclical mastalgia, identify underlying risk factors, and assess its impact on women's quality of life. A total of 580 patients were included in the study and evaluated using a closed-ended questionnaire. Among the 580 women studied, the prevalence of mastalgia was found to be 60%, with 43% experiencing noncyclical mastalgia. The majority of individuals experiencing mastalgia onset fall within the age range of 16-25 (41.7%). Mastalgia was positively correlated with stress (99.2%), a positive family history of mastalgia (22%), average body habitus (47.9%), lack of physical exercise (78.4%), high fat diet (20.8%) and excessive coffee intake (25%), a personal history of chronic illness (48.8%). It showed a weak correlation with other factors such as oral contraceptive pills (2.3%) and a positive family history of breast cancer (14.4%). The pain was primarily focal, unilateral, and of mild to moderate severity. Notably, 75% of cases had not undergone breast cancer screening despite their cancer phobia (64.6%). Improving mastalgia management requires increased awareness among women about its risk factors, reassurance, lifestyle modifications (such as regular exercise), and the use of local analgesics.