A fall on the breast can be a concerning experience. While such incidents can cause discomfort, they typically result in minor injuries that resolve over time. This article explains common physical changes and when medical evaluation is beneficial.
Common Immediate Effects
After a breast fall, pain and tenderness at the impact site are common. This pain can range from mild aching to a sharper sensation and usually subsides within a few days or weeks as the tissue heals. Applying a cold pack to the area for 10 to 15 minutes at a time during the first 1-2 days can help reduce swelling and discomfort.
Bruising (contusion) is another frequent effect. This occurs when small blood vessels beneath the skin are damaged, causing blood to leak into the surrounding tissues. The discoloration may appear blue, purple, or even black initially, gradually changing to green and yellow as the bruise heals. Sometimes, a larger blood collection, called a hematoma, can form, feeling like a firm lump. Swelling in the affected breast is also common, contributing to discomfort and making the injured breast appear larger.
Understanding Lumps After a Fall
One of the most significant concerns after a breast injury is the appearance of a new lump. Often, these lumps are benign and trauma-related. Fat necrosis occurs when damaged fatty breast tissue hardens, forming a firm, often painless lump. This happens when fat cells die and are replaced by scar tissue, or form an oil cyst. Fat necrosis is not cancerous and typically resolves naturally over several months or even years, though some may persist.
A hematoma, a collection of blood from injured vessels, can also present as a distinct lump. These lumps may be firm and often accompany significant bruising. As the body reabsorbs the blood, the hematoma usually shrinks and disappears over time, similar to a bruise. Lumps related to injury, such as fat necrosis or hematomas, often appear directly at the site of impact and may initially be tender, becoming less so as they heal. Unlike suspicious lumps, injury-related lumps may also show associated skin changes like redness or dimpling that resolve as the injury heals.
When to Seek Medical Attention
While most breast injuries from falls are minor, certain symptoms warrant medical evaluation. See a doctor if breast pain worsens, is severe, or isn’t controlled by over-the-counter pain relievers. Significant or rapidly increasing swelling, or a growing hematoma, also warrants a medical visit.
Any new lump after a fall requires professional assessment, especially if it doesn’t resolve, changes unexpectedly, or its nature is uncertain. Skin changes like persistent redness, warmth, or wound discharge could indicate infection, requiring prompt medical attention. For individuals with breast implants, a fall can, in rare cases, lead to implant rupture, which should be evaluated by a surgeon.
Addressing Common Concerns
A widespread concern after a breast injury is whether it can lead to breast cancer. A fall or other physical trauma to the breast does not cause breast cancer. Cancer develops due to DNA damage in cells, leading to uncontrolled cell division, a process not initiated by physical injury.
While an injury might sometimes lead to the discovery of a pre-existing, unnoticed lump, this does not mean the injury caused the cancer. Lumps forming after a fall, like fat necrosis or hematomas, are benign and do not increase breast cancer risk. Most injury-related changes in the breast are temporary and resolve without long-term complications, providing reassurance.