Breast Health Education

The first and arguably most critical responsibility of coaching and support staff in addressing breast pain and injuries within their team is simply education, for the staff themselves and then, with their facilitation, for the athletes. Presently, a high proportion of coaching and support staff (who are largely male) are unaware of breast health concerns in sport and/or unsure of how to broach the subject with their athletes (Brooke R Brisbine et al., 2020; K Bibby, Kenny, et al., 2025). This contributes to a culture of embarrassment and underreporting by female athletes, which in turn draws attention, conversation, and funding away from legitimate breast health concerns with potential solutions.

A recent survey found that 64% of female rugby players were unaware of contact breast injuries, breast pain, or their potential future complications; similarly, only 25% of players are reporting their breast health issues to staff (Bibby, Kenny, et al., 2025). It is therefore essential to normalise the conversation between staff and the athletes they support by providing education about breast pain and injury, a safe-space to discuss these issues without fear of judgement or repercussion (i.e., “being benched”), an official reporting pathway, and information about evidence-based strategies to minimise the impact of breast pain and injuries on sporting performance.

Specifically, female players should receive education on mastalgia, exercise-induced breast pain, and the potential for breast injuries during training/competition. Such education should include the ways in which these breast health concerns may affect performance, specific risk factors, potential strategies for minimising pain and injury, and crucially, the importance of reporting. Recent survey data further suggests that athletes have a strong preference for receiving this education from female staff (Bibby, Kenny, et al., 2025); in sporting environments where female staff are not present, support staff are encouraged to facilitate initial education from a female medical professional and then provide ongoing support from available male staff. Most crucially, clubs and teams must cultivate an atmosphere of respect and legitimacy around breast health concerns so that athletes feel empowered to report and seek solutions where necessary.