I just found a lump. I'm 21.

Stina96

Hello all. I am so glad I found a place to discuss this, as I have been absolutely terrified the past couple days.

A couple days ago I noticed breast pain in my left breast when laying on my left side. I started feeling around and I found a uneven shaped mass. It hurts to touch. It also occasionally hurts to breathe, especially when exhaling a deep breath. This pain when exhaling started about 2 hours ago. The pain is in my breast and back. I also have a swollen, painful lymph node in my right armpit.

It is Saturday so I can't call a doctor to request an appointment. I don't even have a specific doctor that I go to. I don't know where to begin. I have read countless stories of women around my age who go to a doctor who dismisses it as a cyst, and by the time they actually get diagnosed their cancer has metastasized. Of course there are several women who have this issue where it ends up actually being a cyst, but I just want to be on the safe side and have it looked at. I'm very scared.

Any advice or similar stories to mine will be very appreciated. I guess I just needed a place to talk about this.

djmammo

Stina96

Statistically a cyst would be far more common than metastatic breast cancer in a 21 year old. An ultrasound of the lump and your armpit would be a good start. Although your other symptoms may be anxiety related, I would have them checked out too.

Stina96

Thank you. I will try to get an appointment on Monday. I am freaking out and can hardly think straight.

Beatmon

Try your best to think of other things....I know that seems impossible right now.

I had fibrocystic disease diagnosed at 22.... I’m now 65 and had no breast cancer until 60. Had both Brest filled with cysts all these years. Pain and swelling went up and down with monthlies. I was so scared the first time because my grandmother had breast cancer.

Hopefully everything will be fine. You are smart to get checked though. As you mentioned, many younger woman do get their concerns blown off. Could you be having the pain with breathing because you are upset and over breathing... quit feeling it with your fingers because you could be making it sore. A warm moist wash cloth might help if is a fibrous cyst.

In other words, get it checked. Try your best not to worry. Statistics are on your side. Let us know how you are doing

mustlovepoodles

Despite what you may have read on the internet, breast cancer is EXTREMELY rare in a 21yo. Keep in mind that when you Google "breast" everything comes up cancer. At your age, it is faaaaar more likely That this is a benign cystic something. As for your breathing issue, that sounds like panic. Anxiety can cause all sorts of physical sensations.

Hang in there this weekend. Call your doctor or Gyn on Monday. Keep your hands busy and stay off the internet. It will just make you feel fearful and crazy.

Stina96

Thank you everyone for your kind words. The pain has been radiating into my shoulder/collar bone. No more pain when breathing. Trying to keep my mind off of it but it's hard.