20 years old and been transferred to the breast clinic

ells2018

hello everybody,

I'm 20 years old and recently found a lump about a month and half a go in my left breast, it was about 2cm and was moveable, I booked into see my gp about 10 days ago and when I went into my appointment I told her about the lump which she then felt and said felt like breast tissue, at that point, the lump i originally went in to get checked had gone down in size and my gp described it as 'ropey' but then she found another lump at the top corner which she said was pretty big about 3cm and was mobile as well, I didn't even know it was there!! But oddly enough I had very bad pain in my breast the night before i went to the appointment, it feels as if that lump has just appeared out of no where!

She booked me into the breast clinic and I'm there on 31st of this month. The lump seems to have got more painful but I have tried to stop touching it as I don't want to aggravate it anymore! I also have a bit of pain at the top of my arm and the part between my breast and armpit is slightly swollen which is worrying me slightly as that is not normal.

I've been really stressed and worried and my anxiety has got really bad to the point where my chest feels tight and I have shortness of breath. I have also had back and arm pain which I thought could be linked to the lump but my friend who suffers with anxiety said this is common to have when you're really stressed.

I have been reading how some of you describe your lumps and mine is not pea size or ten pence size, it feels pretty big, as if it is taking over my boob! I know I am very young and the chances of me having breast cancer is low but I'm so scared in case it is

I would really appreciate some advice, my family and boyfriend think I need to calm down as the chance of me having BC is very low but none of my friends have gone through this or even found a lump! The pain, the swelling and the size of the lump is really scaring me.

Ellie

xxx

bew66

Dear Ellie, so sorry you are here with breast concerns.  It is very good that you are familiar with your breasts, and that you are being evaluated.  Having said that, your age makes it VERY unlikely that this is cancer.  It is much more likely to be a cyst or fibroadenoma which can be very painful, but totally benign.  I agree with your friend, anxiety is probably making you more aware of all your bodily sensations, like pain and shortness of breath, but it is still good that you are being seen at the breast clinic.  Try not to stress (I know that is really hard), and post again after your appointment to let us know that you are ok.

ells2018

Hey bew66,

I know I'm really young but the pain is the thing which is scaring me, especially in my shoulder and top of arm.

I'll definitely make sure I'll post after my appointment, fingers crossed its B9!

bluepearl

What you are describing appears to be a benign (non cancerous) condition. I am glad you are taking good care of your breast though and an exam will likely make you even more familiar! lol. It is not impossible to get breast cancer at 20 and anything that is concerning you should be checked. Breast cancer is not just a cancer for older women. That said, the probability for you is extremely low. Panic attacks/anxiety often show up exactly as what you have described. I was 18 when I had one when a friend died of leukaemia at 18.....I started having the same symptoms of her until I just broke down. The very best thing you can do is what you are doing. You are pro-active and when you get the good news. you can relax and remember this should anything else come up in your future. Don't stress!!!!

bew66

One more thing, Ellie....please don't think I'm blowing off your concerns....but pain is not a common symptom of breast cancer.  It does occur for some women, but it is more frequently associated with benign breast conditions. Fingers crossed for you!

beach2beach

It is scary for sure. If it helps, I had cysts that were soooo painful and one even pushed from my breast out that you could actually see the lump...I had it aspirated and relief. It could very well be cysts affected by hormones.

Moderators

Hang in there ells2018. It's good to follow up with your physician to figure out what is going on, and ease your concerns.

ells2018

Thank you all for your advice, I realllly appreciate it!!

I'm trying my hardest to not think of the worst! I have been speaking to my auntie who has had BC and she said the symptoms i am describing sound like a cyst or 'mastitis' I think it's called, in the meantime I'm not going to google anything as I googled 'breast lump with arm pain' and lots of websites came up breast cancer so i shall not being doing that again!

I just wish my anxiety would go away:(

mustlovepoodles

If you Google ANYTHING with the word "breast" in it, you will be directed to "breast cancer." At your age your risk of breast cancer is effectively 0%. Googling breast-related matters is only going to further scare and upset you. You are wise to get this checked out, but I will bet you my entire paycheck that this is benign.

waytooanxiousmommy

I am so glad you are getting it checked. From what I know it does not sound like cancer but you never want to take a chance. Good for you that you are so proactive so young

ells2018

Thank you all, i'm feeling much more positive after reading all your replies!!

Does anyone know why I am getting an achy feeling in the top of my arm? I've only just started to get this with the lump?

ells2018

Hey,

Just thought I'd keep you updated, I had my appointment and everything seems to be fine!

The doctor examined me and he said he couldn't feel anything to be worried about but I would need an ultrasound to make sure everything was ok, he marked three lumps which needed to be checked but told me two of the lumps were lumpy breast tissue and the other one could possibly be a fibroadenoma/cyst. He told me I would only see him again if something came up on the ultrasound.

Whilst having my ultrasound the nurse said because I was so skinny, my boobs were going to be a lot more lumpier because I had no fat on me for my boobs to be 'cushioned in' (her words). She confirmed that the two lumps my doctor marked were in fact lumpy tissue but the third one she said she thought was a 'grisly cystic lump'. I was then told that i could put my top back on but whilst i was getting dressed i could hear her making notes and i heard the word 'suspicious', she told me that my DR wanted to see me again and i needed to go back to the waiting room. I was in the waiting room for about 20 mins and the nurse told me i was going to be waiting there for another hour as they was only one doctor on and he had a lot of patients. I said that was fine as long as I was seen by 3'oclock. She then came back about 5 minutes later saying that the doctor had seen my results and everything was fine and I was okay to be discharged.

I'm happy about my results I'm just a little bit worried at the fact one of the lumps was described as suspicious, should I be worried? Am I overreacting? I really want to know what the third lump actually is as the ultrasound nurse didn't say exactly what it is!

cp418

Maybe ask / discuss the option for a needle biopsy for the lump of concern? Do they have a plan to monitor you for the future? Don't be afraid to ask questions and assert your concerns.

ells2018

Nope no 6 month follow up or anything, was literally just told by a nurse in the waiting room everything was fine and i could go, I didn't even get to speak to the doctor!

Rachel888

Hi ells I would request the report and also speak with your primary doctor. Unless it is a simple cyst, I think most lumps require at least a 6 mo follow up to be safe (I could be wrong about this). But do try to get your report and inquire about follow up.

NancyD

I think the word "suspicious" was used because the nurse couldn't say what it was. It brings it to the attention of the doctor. They zone in on words like that.

ells2018

Thank you everybody!

I'll be ringing the breast clinic monday morning to see what my actual results was!

Do you reckon the doctor would of been able to tell if everything was fine from looking at my ultrasound for 5 minutes, because thats how long it was. If something was suspicious I would of needed a biopsy wouldn't I? I think I would feel a little bit better if i actually got to speak to my doctor after my ultrasound to confirm what ALL of the lumps were and to see how long they would be there for. But like I said a nurse came up to me in the waiting room said everything was fine and off I could go! No 6 month follow up or anything, I just got told that they was nothing to worry about.

Also has anybody heard of a 'grisly cystic lump'?? I've heard of a cystic lump but not a grisly one! Can you tell if its a cyst on the ultrasound? The lump used to be quite big but has now got smaller and feels like an irregular shaped tiny lump. I'm hoping the ultrasound nurse said 'not suspicious', would a cyst come under that? I thought a cyst would be called benign or negative. It's just that bloody 'suspicious' word which is worrying me!

Rachel888

Hi Ells if it is a simple cyst then usually radiologists will say it is fine and you don't even need any follow up-these are never anything bad. If the cyst has any solid components or is complex or complicated then they might do a biopsy or 6 month follow up. I've never heard of a grisly cyst. I would try not to focus too much on what you heard the nurse or tech say since they don't interpret the report anyway.

Best of luck and let us know what your doctor says