I went to the free clinic to have a breast lump looked at today. It's been there for one month, hasn't changed. I'm 25, former smoker (5 years, quit 8months ago), drink TONS of coffee, drink alcohol sometimes (maybe 3 times a week or so I'll have one drink-never more) exercise daily(or every other day), no know health problems, don't know my family medical history, no breast problems prior to this, but haven't been to the doc in 3 years ( I know that's bad!). I'm having my pap test/exam in 2 weeks, the day before the mammogram is scheduled.
The nurse said I should get a mammogram because there was a soft, she called is "almost squishy" , moveable lump in my right breast about 2 inches to the right of the nipple, and 3 inches up from it. I'm a B cup size. No discharge from the nipple, no visible changes, no pain. She also found a spot about 2 inches up from the lump (not quite in my underarm area, but closer to the chest than the underarm) that she said was "thickened tissue". She said it felt a little different from the other side (which was fine).
The free clinic was having free mammograms next Monday. She told me I couldn't come in then because "It can wait 2 weeks" until the next time they are having mammograms there. She said she was comfortable with the two week wait because of my age and the fact that the lump moved. She signed me up for a mammogram and told me I could go. I was left with many questions that she didn't answer. ( not really her fault, there were tons of people there) If anyone could answer them, I would be extremely grateful.
1. I know no one can say for sure, and I know that it could be anything, but what do you think the likelihood is that this is cancer?
2. Could this be caused from tons of caffeine?
3. Will the mammogram hurt? How long will it take? (She said they would do a more detailed one, from 12 angles, I think)
4. Is waiting 2 weeks dangerous? I have NO money and this is the only free clinic around. ( I literally have 5 bucks till I get my check. I make 6.50 an hour)
5. Has anyone had similar symptoms? What was it in your case?
6. I read a post on this site where a woman's lymph node swelled up under her arm because of an illness, and then went away. The nurse said it could be a lymph node. If it is a lymph node, wouldn't it be swollen with cancer cells because it doesn't hurt? That is what really scares me.
7. The nurse mentioned fibrocystic disease, but then started talking about lymph nodes and confused me. What is this disease?

Thank you so much for taking the time to read all this. I literally threw up in the exam room when she told me there were 2 lumps. I started breaking out in this red rash all over my body when she told me. She said that she has seen people who were really scared do that. It's gone away now, after a few hours. I don't have family, no friends really, and my husband is as scared as I am. Any advice or just some moral support would be a godsend. Thank you so much and God bless you!

1. I know no one can say for sure, and I know that it could be anything, but what do you think the likelihood is that this is cancer? There is no way to say for certain or even give a clue via the internet
2. Could this be caused from tons of caffeine? Very possible
3. Will the mammogram hurt? How long will it take? (She said they would do a more detailed one, from 12 angles, I think) It's very uncomfortable that is for sure and it only takes a few seconds to maybe a couple minutes on each side, depending on the particular test
4. Is waiting 2 weeks dangerous? Not really, if it is found to be cancerous it won't spread that fast in two weeks
5. Has anyone had similar symptoms? Yes I did What was it in your case? I did have breast cancer
6. I read a post on this site where a woman's lymph node swelled up under her arm because of an illness, and then went away. The nurse said it could be a lymph node. If it is a lymph node, wouldn't it be swollen with cancer cells because it doesn't hurt? Lymph nodes usually swell with infection either viral or bacterial, rarely because of cancer
7. The nurse mentioned fibrocystic disease, but then started talking about lymph nodes and confused me. What is this disease?Fibrocystic breast disease is described as common, benign (non-cancerous) changes in the tissues of the breast. The term "disease" in this case is misleading, and many providers prefer the term "change."

You say she found one in your upper chest, close to your underarm, that is still breast tissue, it is called The Tail of Spence.

Oh, honey, I know exactly how you feel! I'm the girl that had the swollen lymph node under her arm, by the way. I agree with the way that J_9 answered your questions. Here is the thing, OK? If you're anything like me, you read that J_9 had breast cancer/similar symptoms and freaked out. But, here is what you have to remember: she is still here and still alive in spite of having had breast cancer. You should look at some of her answers to breast question, there are some really good points about making doctors listen to you and such.

Breast cancer is NOT a death sentence. Yes, some people do die from it. But, the good thing is that you are being proactive by going to the doctor. Believe it or not, some women let these lumps go unchecked for years. If you have only had it around a month or so, the good thing is that IF it is cancer, you are probably catching it early on.

If you aren't satisfied with the mammogram results, demand a biopsy. Go from clinic to clinic, be assertive with your doctors, call breast cancer hotlines, do whatever you have to do until you get the results and the proof that puts your mind at ease. There is help out there.

It's good that you are having this checked out, and it's also good to see that you will be getting a pap test. Yes, you should have been having exams before now, but the most important thing is that you have made an appointment now. From this point on, you can be proactive in maintaining your health.

The mammogram may show a cyst, or a variety of other things. If the results of the mammogram are unclear, or if there is a CHANCE that it could be cancer based on what the docs see, then they will do a fine needle aspiration. That is an outpatient procedure, and you won't have to stay in the hospital for it. IF the fine needle aspiration shows changes, then they will probably do a surgical biopsy. IF it is determined that you have cancer at that point, then they will remove the tumor(s) and begin appropriate cancer treatment for you. Now, that's just what my doc. Told me about how it would all go. Everyone's experience can be different. But, just trying to give you a general idea.

About the caffeine, yes it could be the cause. But, so could cancer, so that's why you need to continue with the medical tests. I personally, used to be a huge caffeine junkie :), and I have fibrocystic breast tissue. Like J_9 said, it's not so much a disease as a change and condition. In my experience, cutting out caffeine made my breast less lumpy, so much so that my doc was amazed the next time she checked them. But, that was just my experience. I'm not sure what the official medical view is on whether the fibrocystic changes will slow down when you quit caffeine.

Like I said before, since there is a change in your body, you need to know for sure what you are dealing with. You will find out more after your mammogram, too. I know doc. Say it isn't likely at your age, but it can and does happen. So, it's best to be extra sure and get adequate tests so that you will know for sure that you aren't part of that group. They will also check your breast when you go for your annual exam in 2 weeks. If you are going to a different place, then let them know that you have a lump and thick tissue and that you are having a mammogram done. If you go to a different place for the ob-gyn exam, then you will be getting a second opinion, which is good too.

The bottom line is you have the mammogram scheduled, so good for you. And congrats on quitting smoking. I know how hard it is to quit myself. You have taken important steps toward improving your health by quitting smoking and scheduling the mammogram and ob-gyn exam. Waiting is the hard part, I know. Just stay busy, try not to worry too much in the meantime. Get out with friends, do things that make you laugh and focus on being happy. Stressing out won't fix what is wrong (if indeed there is anything wrong, as the lumps could also be benign) but it will make you miserable. If you aren't satisfied with the mammogram results, of if your doc. Wants to do further tests, then that is the next step. The mammogram will help them diagnose it, so be patient.

I am on this site almost every day. I will be here if you need moral support. I will keep you in my prayers, and I know that, no matter what you find out, everything will be OK. Like I said, worst case senario, if it is cancer, doctors know really good ways of treating it and you have probably caught it early. God bless you, and try to relax while you are waiting.

Sweetie, you can read my story here

This happened to me almost 11 years ago and I now have a clean bill of health. But you do need to be proactive with your health, it's your only body and you got to take care of it.

I too am here most every day and am good for moral support should you need it. Please do not hesitate to ask.

I've been where you are now, I know the fear you are experiencing, I know how overwhelmed you may feel right now. But take it from someone who has been there, it is NOT a death sentence. And this sounds really weird, but it is the absolute truth... Breast cancer was the best thing that ever happened to me for so many reasons.

So, just know that we are here if you need us.

I wish I could say you have nothing to worry about - but I can't do that - yet

I can tell you a little bit about me and when I found a lump.

I was just 30, found this lump, went to the doctor. I was then sent to a general surgeon. I freaked out a little bit. Breast cancer does run in our family. The outcome has never been good.
Anyway, when I got there - she looked at me and then sent me down for a mammogram.
I have to tell you the hardest part of that appointment was the drive there. All the fears and emotions were at the surface.
THe actual mammogram was a little uncomfortable just because...

I do not have cancer.

It was a piece of dense tissue. It stumped two doctors - or had them saying lets be safe than sorry. And that is fine with me.
My mother has fibrocystic disease. She goes to get checked out every 3 months. I have been told it is very possible I will follow in her foot steps.

The point of my post is this:

Once upon a time I found a lump and I do not have cancer.

You get it checked out, do as your doctor tells you. I freaked out! I was sure I had cancer but you know what, I am here with no cancer. So just because you have a lump doesn't mean you are sick or going to get sick.

Good Luck and keep us posted.