For many women, breast pain is a common nuisance. But for “The Bachelorette” alum Katie Thurston, it was a crucial warning sign she almost missed.

The 34-year-old reality star recently opened up about her breast cancer diagnosis, revealing she initially brushed off a small, painful lump as PMS or muscle soreness from working out.

“Went to the doc thinking it was going to be nothing. I was wrong,” Thurston wrote in an Instagram Q&A. She added that the pain “probably led to more doubt and delay in getting it checked out, as lots of [websites] say ‘most breast cancers don’t hurt.'”

Breast pain is very common, and experts say it’s usually nothing to worry about. Hormonal fluctuations, medications, benign cysts or even a poorly fitting bra can often be to blame.

However, while rare, breast pain can sometimes signal something more serious. According to Dr. Kazuaki Takabe, clinical chief of breast surgery at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, about 1% of women are diagnosed with breast cancer after experiencing pain.

Women who have already been diagnosed with breast cancer are more likely to report pain in their breast tissue during treatment, with Takabe estimating that about 15% of patients experience this discomfort.

For patients who do experience pain, it’s often linked to the size and location of the tumor.

“If you have a breast cancer that’s very large, it can impinge on nerve structures, muscle structures, bone structures, and any component of the breast outside of the breast tissue—that can cause pain,” Dr. Richard J. Bleicher, chief of the division of breast surgery at Fox Chase Cancer Center, told SELF.

But even small tumors can cause discomfort. “Breast cancers tend to be very hard,” Bleicher said. “Even if a lesion is small, it will cause discomfort if it is impinging on a nerve or muscle.”

Some types of breast cancer are also more likely to cause pain than others. Inflammatory breast cancer — a rare, aggressive form — often presents with swelling, discolored skin and pain in the breast.

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“If someone is experiencing breast pain, especially if it’s not resolving within a few weeks or if it’s very severe, they should call their doctor,” Dr. Tahereh Soleimani, a surgical oncologist at Indiana University Health’s Simon Cancer Center, told HealthCentral. 

Soleimani explained that your doctor will likely order imaging, such as a mammogram or ultrasound, to check for cancer. The goal is to rule out serious issues first, then address the pain so you can live comfortably, said.

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in US women, with one in eight expected to be diagnosed in their lifetime. 

The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that in 2025, there will be 316,950 new cases of invasive breast cancer among women and 2,800 cases in men, along with a staggering 42,680 deaths.

For many, breast cancer can fly under the radar. “Most breast cancers are asymptomatic and are diagnosed on routine screening breast imaging mammograms and ultrasounds,” Dr. Natalie Klar, breast oncologist at NYU Langone’s Perlmutter Cancer Center, told Parade. 

When symptoms do appear, they often involve a change in the breast. This could be a lump, nipple discharge, inverted nipple, new pain or discomfort, redness, a rash or even skin dimpling.

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As with any cancer, the sooner it’s caught, the better your chances of recovery. When breast cancer is detected in its localized stage (before it spreads beyond the breast), the survival rate is a remarkable 99%, according to the ACS.

However, once it spreads to nearby structures, like the lymph nodes, that rate drops to 87%. And if it spreads to other parts of the body, survival chances plummet to just 32%.

“Early detection is key,”  Dr. Katherine Kopkash, an oncoplastic surgeon with Endeavor Health, told HealthCentral. “Stage 0 and 1 breast cancer is totally treatable and curable with a very low risk of recurrence. The goal is to catch breast cancer when we have every treatment available to you.” 

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that women at average risk for breast cancer begin getting mammograms every two years starting at age 40, continuing through age 74. Women with a family history of breast cancer, genetic mutations or other high-risk factors should consult their doctor to create a personalized screening plan.

While routine breast self-exams are not typically recommended as the primary screening method, many doctors still encourage women to become familiar with their breasts and report any noticeable changes.