Sore breast in 42 year old man (with family history)

TimothyBC

Hi there,

 I'm a 42 year old male and I have had a sore left breast for about a month. When I feel my nipple I seem to be able to feel a disc/lump. Nothing is very defined. I also seem to have a slight shortness of breath which is unusual but could be down to a cold. The soreness has come on quickly. A month ago I was fine, I then did some unusual physical activity that stressed my upper body (swinging on a rope into a swimming pool ) and then a few days later I was feeling sore in my left breast. I assumed it would go away after a week or so but it hasn't and instead has gotten a bit more painful. 

 The reason I'm posting here is because I have a family history of breast cancer. My mother died from breast cancer at age 48 and my older sister died at 49 from it as well. So...its in my genes, or could be. I haven't had a BRAC test. Now I'm freaking out. I know I should just go to the doctor and have them diagnose what the issue is but I'm scared to find out bad news and am I am just hoping its some form of cyst that will disappear on its own.   

I'm a bit prone to hypercondria and hopefully this is just a symptom of that condition rather than anything else. 

If anyone else has had similar experiences or if any medical practitioner can offer advice then please do.

 Thanks,

Tim 

Larry44

Timothy,

6 years ago I found a lump in my left breast.  I went to see my primary care doctor who referred me to a breast surgeon who diagnosed breast cancer.  I was treated and have had no recurrences. Get yourself to a doctor ASAP.  If it is cancer, the sooner you are treated the better. If it is not cancer, then you can stop worrying.

1rarebird

Tim,

Like you, unexpectedly one day I felt something unusual in my 62 year old male breast which resembled a small disc under the nipple.   It wasn't large feeling but did create a little pain when I poked at it. 45 years earlier I had a cyst drained from same general area and I thought that was what was likely to be the problem.  But I had been through breast cancer scares with my wife earlier and knew I'd better get it checked by my doctor.  I did, and a biopsy was quickly followed by mastectomy and chemotherapy.  Radiation and hormonal therapy are next.  

So, by all means, I recommend that you get your lump checked out. Male breast cancer is rare in men---but it does happen.  You found a lump and now you must find out definitively what it is so you can go from there.

Good luck---chances are you will be fine.

bird

roomtolive

To TimBC, I am a man same age with same exact thing going on. I also did some heavy physical activity involving yard work involving use of my upper body. Nothing has changed in my life as far as diet or taking medicine. In fact, I most likely wouldn't have even noticed it if it hadn't been for bumping my chest doing something? It reminds me of when I had what people called growing pains when I was 12 or 13. I feel fine otherwise so I am not worried but I will pay attention to it closely of course.

YoungTurkNYC

Hi roomtolive,

It is likely nothing but best to get it checked out.  I had pain associated with my breast cancer as well, including pain at the lump site as well as occasional sharp shooting pains in the breast.

MelissaDallas

Roomtolive, feeling fine otherwise means nothing. Most people diagnosed with cancer had absolutely no symptoms, including those diagnosed stage four from the beginning

cliff

my pain was more like burr inside. I agree, GET YOUR SELF TO A GOOD DOCTOR AND GET CHECKED. the sooner you catch it the better. if it gets to stage 4 and spreads like mine did, you wont be having much fun.