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

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Originally Posted by zoey101

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

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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.

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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.

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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.