Mastalgia (breast pain) is the commonest breast problem women present with in general practice. Mastalgia can be apparent, when due to referred pain or costochondritis, for instance; or real, when it can be localised or diffused. Diffused pain can be cyclical or non cyclical. An important association of cyclical mastalgia is benign mammary dysplasia (fibroadenosis). It is important to exclude malignancy and to reassure patients.