Ask Me Help Desk - Have I got breast cancer?

Have I got breast cancer?

Hello I am 15 years old and about 3 weeks ago I noticed my left breast didn't feel right. I have a huge lump that goes from just under my armpit all the way to my breast and my breast is also a little bit swollen. I deciced to leave it because I thought I would go away. Its three weeks later and it is still there. Every so often it hurts then fells fine again. I've told my mum and she said it was just growing, is she correct? Have I got breast cancer? Please help I'm really scared!! :( :confused: :(

Zoey

You are much younger than the typical woman with breast cancer. Does breast cancer run on your mother's side of the family?
It can be other non cancerous things such as an infection, a cyst , or a fibroadenoma.
You should see a doctor soon about this.

Grace and Peace

Hey thanks for the post. No breast cancer does not run in the family at all. I asked my mum this morning and she said it was just growing so she won't take me to the doctors. Are you sure it is not breast cancer because it is quite painful? Please write back thank you x

NO breast pain needs to be investigated.

Most breast cancers are NOT due to a familial/genetic reason.

In your case you need to see a doctor however I doubt it is cancerous. It sounds more like you have an infection and your lymph gland and assoiated breast is reacting-you may need antibiotics or even a biopsy.

See a doctor though.

I agree this pain should get checked out. Just because you have no family history does not mean it can't be cancer. If it is a cyst. There are certain foods you can avoid to help ease the discomfort. Such as eliminating caffeine.

Zoey:

A family history of breast cancer on the mother's side confers a higher risk for breast cancer. It is also true that a positive family history is not needed to have breast cancer.

Likewise a painful, as opposed to painless, breast mass is less likely to be cancer.

If it is "growing" that is of concern.

That being said, only a doctor who asks you plenty of questions regarding this breast abnormality, does a thorough physical, and possibly several tests can tell you what this is.
Do not accept a quick exam and a cursory answer.

Grace and peace.

Hi,
At 15 years old it is HIGHLY unlikely that you have breast cancer! It is most likely a non-cancerous cyst that can be easily removed. If you are that concerned about it, please have your mom to take you to the doctor because they can remove it without any pain. They will give you a breast exam (mamagram) , which is a little painful when they squeeze your breast and then they will also give you a ultrasound biopsy, which is completely painless and this will tell if it is benign! They can remove it if you would like or it MAY go away on it's on but you will have to ask your doctor about it! If it is indeed cancer, they WILL have to remove it but I think it is just a cyst and you will most likely have nothing to worry about. Good Luck and please keep us posted!

The best advice I can give you is to go to the doctor, don't be nervous about it, it's not that bad. It's obviously not normal so go check it out.

I do not want to frighten you, chances are... you're fine. BUT, women need to have these sort of symptoms checked out. Women are so complex that there a like a million things that could be happening but without proper examination, you never know. Get in the habit of going to the Dr. when you notice these symptoms with your "womanly parts" just in case one day, it IS something serious that could be treated if you catch it in time.

So what are you saying? Do you think I've got breast cancer? X

Quote:

Originally Posted by zoey101

so what are you saying? do you think ive got breast cancer? x

No I don't think you have breast cancer, but you should go get it checked out

Zoey, your mom is most likely correct in that you are growing. Although cancer does not know age, you are still rather young to have breast cancer. You also do not have a family history, so that lessens your chances even more.

What you may be experiencing could be as simple as growth or maybe even a swollen lymph node. Have you been ill recently?

yes I have. I went to the doctors and she said I had a blockage in the bowel. But the lump was there like a week before that . X x is it most likely and infected gland?

Yes I have been ill recently but the lump was there ages before I got ill. Are you sure its not breast cancer because it really hurts. I'm also always feeling tired and finding I'm not getting enough air sometimes, mainly in the morning.

Hun, it is impossible to be SURE that it is not breast cancer without doing an exam. So, none of us are SURE, but it is highly unlikely given your age and family history.

In one post you say you were ill a week earlier and in another you say it was ages, there is a difference between the two.

Breast cancer rarely hurts, now don't get me wrong, some forms do hurt (The kind I had did hurt) but feeling tired and not getting enough air sound like something totally different than breast cancer. This sounds more like a lung issue rather than a breast issue.

You need to get your mother to take you to the doctor to have this investigated.

I keep looking at this post and I feel that a simple Ultrasound scan of the breast and underarm would definitely discriminate between a cystic versus tumourous situation here-I am still leaning toward lymph node inflammation due to recent illness though.

I recently worked with Nuclear medicine-We investigate breast cancer and the sentinel-node associated with the affected breast-there is a Nucmed scan that shows which one (of many) lymph nodes is the problematic one. Ultrasound would be the preferred (and least invasive here-for this woman though) to get the best idea-I feel.

MR is really my "thing" though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by zoey101

i noticed my left breast didnt feel right. i have a huge lump that goes from just under my armpit all the way to my breast and my breast is also a little bit swollen. i deciced to leave it because i thought i would go away.

I really think that things like a swollen and sore breast is NOT something to let go. You could honestly have something wrong, and letting it go could make things worse. In the future try to get things looked at right away. Better safe then sorry :-)

What kind of lung issue? My mum is refusing to take me to the doctor because she is convinced it is just growing!

Well, you have a post about breathing problems, it could be maybe pneumonia... Understand that these are just guesses. We CANNOT diagnose over the internet.

See, you are having breathing problems, and you have found a "lump" near your breast. This could indicate swollen lymph nodes due to a lung infection of one kind or another.

We have all given you the best advice we can over the internet without a physical exam, X-rays, etc. It is now up to you and your mother to get you to the doctor for a physical. There is nothing more we can do here. You may need medication, we cannot prescribe that for you, only your doctor can. Please see a doctor.

All I want to no is if its something serious that I could die over!!

Zoey, in all honesty we don't know the answer to that. I believe it is very doubtful that you will die over it, but if you have untreated asthma or possibly pneumonia, it is possible.

Please seek the advice of a medical professional in person.

I'm going to on Monday! What is pneumonia? My breathing is normal during the day and in the evening its just in the morning its kind of bad but it is getting better and I'm not feeling as tired all the time!

Zoey, do you smoke?

No I don't but my dad does and I'm normally around when he does. The breathing difficulties are coming and going today and I panic!! What is the best way to clam myself down and get my breathing normal again?

Take deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth. Close your eyes and picture something soothing like a beach while you breathe slowly.

Thanks! Do u think it could be pneumonia?

Best thing to do is go see a doctor-even with only a small amount of doubt.
Good Luck! =D =D

It is sounding more like emphysema/slight asthma, like J_9 is suggesting... Go see a doctor.

What's emphysema??

Zoey, when is your doctor's appointment? Usually only people who are older and smoke a lot get emphysemia, so I would not worry about that.

You don't know what pneumonia is? It is a lung infection that could be causing your shortness of breath, especially in the morning as well as the swollen lymph nodes in your breast.

Please girl, get to a doctor.

I was meant to be going today but they were booked up! And my mum had a go at me because she thinks I am being silly!!

Hey!! My breathing has got a lot better but since yesterday afternoon my eyes have begun to really hurt and my vision doesn't feel right!! What could be wrong with me now?

Maybe your alergic to something. Sucks that its going from one thing to another. Get to the doc's that's all you really can do. Good luck.

maybe!! My breathing is only bad in the morning now and my eyes just hurt and are a bit blurred! Co you think I might need glasses?? X x

maybe!! My breathing is only bad in the morning now and even in the morning is a lot better!! My eyes still hurt and are a bit blurred!! Could it be possible I need glasses?? X x

You are probably allergic to something - especially something in your room. You might have dust mites in your bed - they can cause some issues.
Try going to the health clinic.

Quote:

Originally Posted by zoey101

hello i am 15 years old and about 3 weeks ago i noticed my left breast didnt feel right. i have a huge lump that goes from just under my armpit all the way to my breast and my breast is also a little bit swollen. i deciced to leave it because i thought i would go away. its three weeks later and it is still there. every so often it hurts then fells fine again. ive told my mum and she said it was just growing, is she correct? have i got breast cancer? please help im really scared!!!! :( :confused: :(

My Mom had the same symptoms and it was breast cancer and those are all the symptoms so I would get a doctors appointment as soon as possible.

With all due respect Alexander, was your mother 15 and still developing breast tissue?

At the age of 15 this is also a symptom of normal health breast development.

I agree that she should get it checked out, but the chances of cancer are quite slim at this age, especially considering there is no family history.

Doesn't SOUND like pnemonia to me... I had pneumonia and it was completely different symptoms like coughing up clear bad-smelling plegm, high fever, feeling ill.

You are complaining of a sore breast. Now, at 15 it is unlikely that you are just beginning to develop your breasts so your mom is probably wrong about the "growing' explanation. And it could be breast cancer. The other symptoms you are complaining of are probably from worrying and reading little things as symptoms rather than normalcy.

It all depends, but you should just tell your mom that you are really scared and that you want to go to the doctor (even if it seems silly) just so you won't have to worry anymore.