Are these spots cause for concern?

My mammogram was normal. But now when I press on the front side of my left breast near my chest bone, it hurts. What’s

going on?

Q:

I recently noticed three small dark purple dots on my labia about the size of pin pricks. I’ve never seen anything like this, and my next doctor visit is months away. Should I be worried?

A:

No. It sounds like you’ve developed cherry angiomas, totally harmless mole-like skin growths composed of dilated capillaries or an overgrowth of small blood vessels. Cherry angiomas are usually red and most commonly appear on the chest, stomach and back, but when they’re found on the vulva, they typically appear purple. They also become more common as you age—as many as 50% of adults over 40 have them.

Since they’re benign, treatment is generally unnecessary, but if they are frequently irritated or bleed, your doctor can remove them with a simple procedure. Otherwise, like any mole, you should keep an eye on them for changes in appearance, and if you experience discomfort or notice new growths, point them out to your doctor at your annual appointment.

While breast changes can be scary, this is nothing to worry about. Your symptoms sound like costochondritis, inflammation of the area where your upper ribs attach to your sternum. It can lead to tenderness when touching the affected area—and because it’s right behind your breast, it feels as though the pain is coming from the breast itself. Costochondritis is most common in women over 40, and though we can’t often pinpoint the cause, it can be linked to arm overuse, arthritis or the aftermath of a respiratory infection.

For relief, try taking an antiinflammatory like ibuprofen, applying ice rotated with heat and doing gentle upper-body stretches. But if the pain lasts for more than a few weeks or you have any new symptoms, like redness or swelling, check in with your provider.