[maggie080601]

I am a 34 year old female and I found a hard lump in my breast. It's high and over towards my armpit. Over the last 6 months or so I have had other symptoms with my breasts. I don't know if one has anything to do with the other but those symptoms include swelling, tenderness and warmth. I have also had a red itchy rash on my breasts looks like a heat rash, however does not feel like one it is not prickly or burning sensation. It's just red and itchy. As for other physical symptoms I have felt very fatigued and I seem to lose a lot more hair than the average person, I don't even know if it's related because I thought the hair loss came with the treatment for cancer not the cancer itself. Do you think all of these symptoms are related and what is the chances of it being breast cancer. There is no history of breast cancer in my family however my paternal Grandmother died of uterine cancer.

[smoothy]

So... have you actually been to a doctor yet and if you haven't why not... most people would have seen a doctor immediately after finding a lump.

Breast cancer can't be diagnosed online by "Symptoms" nor can it be discounted by them or lack of them either.

Finding a lump is all the reason you need to go to a medical professional to make further diagnosis annd run tests.

[maggie080601]

I haven't been to a Dr. yet because of the holidays everything was closed as soon as they opened up I called and got the first available appointment which I am going to tomorrow. I am just trying to prepare myself for what the outcome might be. I know breast cancer can't be diagnosed online I more or less was just looking for statistics. But thanks for your advice. In the future maybe you should try being a little more sensitive to other peoples feelings. Especially when the subject matter is so personal.

[smoothy]

Listen... I see dozens of people every day who do everything but what they should do... even when they know they should do it. A large part of them claim its over money when they spend plenty of it on things far less important than health.

And incidentally... this is the internet... its not private... and you can't please everyone... and I've learned decades ago it's a waste of time trying. You are entitled to your opiunion... but I and most people know with cancer when it occurs... the key to survivability is early detection... and I don't believe its insensitive at all to stress the importance of seeing a doctor when its called for. By your own words its been six months... what holidays last 6 months (thats half a year) and are more inportant than finding out if it's a nothing to worry about or something to be very worried about. I've known more than a few people that have died in less than 6 months from the first time they found out there was something wrong to being dead from cancer. While I sincerely hope its nothing more than a cyst or something unimportant... 6 months is a very long time to do nothing in case it is.

For 99% of women...finding a lump in the breast would send them into a panic and a scramble to get to a doctor. Because of pervasive education and warnings. Thats not being insensitive....its what everyone is told to do, particularly by professionals in the medical field. Frequent self exams...and prompt visits to a medial professional anytime one is found. No matter what your age.

Here is one...well known actress CHristine Applegate.....at age 36....luckily she survived

http://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/f...-breast-cancer.

It happens frequently enough to take very seriously. Here are 10 well known actresses.... there are multitudes who are not well known.

http://www.health.com/health/gallery...307103,00.html

[talaniman]

Glad you are having it checked out, that's the proper thing to do, but you could have told us that, and been more clear as to what you wanted from us. We know its scary but not everyone knows you needed reassurance, or had made plans. Its easy to assume you didn't.

I know may cancer survivors, early detection and treatment seems to lead to positive outcomes and regular follow up checks are also very highly recommended, for life regardless of age. Hope your outcomes are positive.

[maggie080601]

I just found the lump on Christmas eve the other symptoms that I am not even sure has anything to do with breast cancer is what has been going on off and on for 6 months. All I am saying is when you are talking about something so sensitive you should show a little courtesy. I know it's the internet and I know it's not private and believe me I know all about people who waste money on that don't matter but that is not me. You don't know me at all and you shouldn't pass judgement on people based on your past experience's. You don't have to even try to please everyone but you should at the very least show some dignity when choosing your words

[smoothy]

Excuse me... but only one person has passed judgement on others here... TWICE... and it wasn't me.

I take matters of health very seriously... and firmly believe when one has a doubt about something they should see a doctor. I don't just dish that advice out... I live by those words. I'd rather hear the words "it's nothing to worry about" than hear " I wish we had caught this in time" from the doctor.

Sugarcoating something important downplays the seriousness of the situation.

[odinn7]

I saw nothing in what smoothy said that I would take as insensitive or passing judgement. The fact is, the man is right about what he said. The concern is that YOU get checked and quickly. My mother had breast cancer and she survived it. Tough lady, but early detection was one of the keys in helping her. Sugar coating things to be nice will not help you understand the importance of seeing a doctor.

Now don't get all in a panic either. This could be something else as well. The best thing to do though is get to a doctor right away so you can know for sure.

[J_9]

I had breast cancer at 34 years old. That was 16 years ago. Any changes in breast health should be immediately addressed with you care provider so that it can be caught in the early stages if it is cancer.

In my case, I was the first family member to have had cancer. Familial cancer has to start somewhere. It started with me. So, just because you don't have a family history doesn't mean it is not possible.

I hope and pray you do not have breast cancer. It wasn't an easy road to travel. However, you have to be your own advocate. If you aren't comfortable with what your doctor tells you, press on. I had to visit 7 different doctors until someone would listen to me and do a biopsy. If I carried on after the first 6 doctors told me... You do not have a family history of cancer, you are too young to have breast cancer, you breast fed you first 2 children, and breast cancer doesn't hurt, I would be dead by now.