Worried about lump at 19 - need advice

Hettie19

Hi, I'm 19 years old, and just over a week ago I found a lump bellow my nipple on my right breast. I booked an appointment with my GP which I went to a few days ago, and after feeling my breasts and under my arms, he said that there were no worrying lumps but that I might have a cyst. However, in the past few days, I have begun to have back and shoulder pain that sometimes goes down my arm. It is mostly on my right side but sometimes also on the left. Today I have felt it across the whole of my upper back. This is naturally making my think cancer after ready about people who found their cancer due to back pain. Also, it may be silly but it is putting horrible ideas of secondary cancer into my mind - in the bones. However, I'm trying to tell myself that I would probably have more symptoms than just a lump if I was that high of a stage! I have suffered with back pain for a long time as I have mild scoliosis and dislocated my shoulder a year ago. If I didn't find this lump I wouldn't be even questioning this pain. A few weeks ago I suffered with what me and my parents thought was sciatica, which I guess could be causing strain along my back still. Although that horrible sciatica pain in gone, my hips are still extremely achy. I'm a dancer and have just had 2 weeks off for Easter so thinking my back could just be from going back into dance again. I'm currently studying at uni and so I haven't told my parents about any of this as didn't want to worry them over the phone.

Basically I just want some advice on what to do next and whether it seems like my problems are all related or not. Does the shoulder and slight under arm pain point towards cancer? Should I book another appointment to get a second opinion from my GP. I'm leaving uni next week to go home for summer, so should I leave it 2 weeks until I'm home and see whether anything has changed and I can discuss it with my mum? I'm supposed to start my period in a week, so thinking waiting for 2 weeks so I can see if anything changes.

I'm just constantly worrying about all these what if's!

Thank you!

kmartin3243

Hey!

Cysts and fibroadenomas are very common at your age. The chance of having breast cancer at 19 would almost be non-existent. However, please ask for a referral from your GP to a breast center so you can get an ultrasound. You should definitely get one as lump should always be checked out. Good luck!

Hettie19

Thank you for your reply. I'm just extremely worried as my my upper back and shoulders a really achy and so are my hips as well as my left thigh bone! Scaring me now that it could be breast cancer that has spread to my bones

mustlovepoodles

Your risk of breast cancer at age 19 is virtually zero. ZERO. I'm not sure what literature you're reading but I am 100% sure it's not referencing breast cancer in a 19 yr old. There are several BENIGN conditions of the breast that are common to young women. Since this is a new lump, you should get it checked, NOT because you have cancer, but because you need to be in the habit of taking care of your body.

As far as the back and shoulder pain, it sounds like you have some pre-existing conditions that would cause all those symptoms. I don't think they are connected to the lump at all.

Hettie19

yes, sorry, I know I'm being dramatic, it's just hard as I'm away from my family at uni and so I don't really have anyone to talk to about this. I do think I'm worrying myself online as I've read about symptoms of numbness in fingers and toes which i keep getting. Also that the pain becomes worse at night, and it is so much worse right now than it was when I woke up. Also I've taken painkillers and it hasn't helped at all. I'm going to book another appointment with a GP tomorrow as when I went a few days ago I didn't have the pain. Hopefully everything is fine and I'm just worrying. I have 2 younger sisters - one is only 5, so when I think about all the possibilities it makes me really scared and upset. My pain started just under my right arm and then my right shoulder this morning. Now it across my back and slightly into my ribs. Now I think back, my hips have been hurting for a while now. It comes and goes each week, so that is scaring me too. This drastic change has just freaked me out. Plus I read an 18 year olds story about how she had back pain and a lump and then was diagnosed with stage 4. And also a young mother's story about how she just had back pain and a lump, told it was stage 2, them a week later found it had spread to bones

Sorry for posting so much, I'm just finding this hard away from home. But thank you for your reply

kmartin3243

I am sure it is scary being away from home during a medical issue.Try to do something that will ease your stress.. maybe some exercising, cleaning, walking, or spending time with friends. Please stay away from Googling symptoms. I have gotten extreme anxiety from diagnosing myself over Google. Very bad for anxiety! Definitely get an ultrasound for the lump... I'm sure your GP will have some recommendations on other tests they can do for your other symptoms. However, I strongly believe that the ache symptoms aren't related to the lump. Please focus on anything that will relax and distract you.. waiting is extremely hard and stressful. Don't jump to worst case scenarios.. you can do this

Hettie19

thank you so much! That really helped to hear! It's mostly worrying I think because I suddenly got all this achy pain in almost all the bones in my body all at once! But this is helpful thank you. I'm going to call to get another appointment in the morning! X

Egads007

hettie - big stress can cause big body pain. My mom just went through a huge upheaval in her life and ended up on muscle relaxants because she can barely lift her head or arms...all due to stress. Hang in there, get your ultrasound. It’s always smart to check out changes in your body. Dollars to donuts you’re just fine as the others have said. At your age breasts tend to be lumpy and bumpy. Breathe easy and only google good things...fun things. Let us know how things go for you please

Hettie19

thank you so much. That was really nice to read before I go to sleep. Haha. I will definitely keep updating. Not going to lie, just want another appointment to be more certain. Then Ill feel much better I think. After my first appointment I felt really happy, until I started getting the pains. Also, just because I im not sure, can I ask over the phone if when I come I in for my appointment i can also have an ultrasound. Or will I just have to see if the doctor thinks I need one?

THank you again! Xx

kmartin3243

You would need an exam by the GP before you could get the ultrasound. The GP would need to refer you to the breast center. The GP may be reluctant to do it or blow you off simply because of your age. However, I would politely insist on a referral to the breast center for the ultrasound. You are concerned about the lump and want it scanned... you may have to be a bit pushy. I feel like it is important for you to find out what it is and have some closure. Again, extremely likely it's a benign condition.

Hettie19

great, thank you!

djmammo

Hettie19

Discuss all of this with your parents and your doctor. Stop Googling. Consider seeking counseling for your anxiety.

The chance of breast cancer at your age is vanishingly small and metastatic breast cancer at your age would be reportable. Being a dancer is reason enough for many of your somatic symptoms and anxiety can intensify them.

After you have the appropriate clinical and imaging evaluation of your breasts, it would be wise to have your other aches and pains evaluated as well.

Keep us in the loop.

Sophiemara

Hettie, as someone who was dx young at 34, I would get any lump checked out by a doctor. I think the idea that bc doesn't happen to young girls is wrong, it's does, so if you are worried definitely go and get peace of mind. Most likely it will be something minor (eg a cyst), but don't doubt yourself or get fobbed off because of your age. Testing (ultrasound etc) will provide certainty

mustlovepoodles

Sophiamara, before you go stoking the fires of this young lady's anxiety, please show us 100 legitimately researched cases of breast cancer in women under 20. At least 10. Please. Even at age 34 breast cancer is pretty uncommon. It is unreasonable to even suggest that breast cancer could be the cause of this young lady's symptoms at age 19. I would lay my entire investment portfolio on the prediction that this girl DOES NOT have cancer.

Now, that said, I think new lumps and bumps and pains should be evaluated. That's part of learning to take care of our bodies. Something is going on, and even though it is extremely unlikely to be cancer, there are myriad other conditions that could be at work.

Hettie19

hi everyone, thank you for all of this. I called for another appointment today but they said they didn't have anything until May 18th which is ridiculous. I'm back home from uni by then and live too far to come to my GP here. I'm going to keep calling back every day to try and get another appointment. I have felt a bit better today, however still very worried. Getting new messages on here all day has been a massive help so thank you so much! Xx

Hettie19

hi, sorry to be posting again and so late. Is anyone around to talk?

MelissaDallas

Hettie, there really isn't much to talk about until you have your appointment & ultrasound. You really need to think about something else for a while and stop stewing about this. Hanging out here just makes you more anxious about something that is almost certainly nothing to worry about and almost certainly hormonal/fibrocystic stuff which 60% of women have

Sophiemara

Mustlovepoodles, I never said this young girl had cancer, I said it's good to be vigilant even at a young age and ANY lump should get checked out by a doctor with the appropriate method of testing to determine what it is for peace of mind.

While it is considered rare, young age should not be dismissed, because the reality is bc can and does happen at a young age and yes there are girls out there who are part of that unfortunate percentage (in their 20s and 30s). In the UK last year 5000 young girls were dx that's 13 girls a day and that's just there...This is not to mention if you are dx young and have the BRCA gene and then have a child..bc can present 10 years younger in that child...I think It's enormously disrespectful of you to dismiss that and them.

There is a reason young bc tends to get diagnosed at a later stage...and I can guarantee it's because people or physicians haven't taken it seriously, because of course it's unlikely or rare.

So whilst for the most part it is rare (thankfully it is) and in most cases it is benign, there is absolutely nothing wrong with acting on instinct and getting checked out to reduce any anxiety, even at 19.

Hettie19

hi, I understand all this. Trust me I've been researching enough to know that young girls can get it. That's why I'm so worried. And I did get it checked, but like you said, they said it was nothing. And I've tried to get another appointment, but they haven't given me one.

Hettie19

small update, called again and got an appointment for Monday. Think the nurse on the phone yesterday misunderstood me and thought I was wanting a routine check! Thank you everyone

Reneebarbo

Just wanted to let you know you're not alone! im 23 years old, 2 young kids and started to get this random pain in my left breast/ armpit area around 3 weeks ago, thought nothing of it except for possibly over stretching my muscles. Went to my husband's doctors appointment and decided to just mention that i can't get rid of the pain and she checked my breasts...2 lumps. It was devastating news, i know that the odds are in our favour but like you i can't stop worrying! I'm booked for my mammogram and U/S for May 1st. Hopefully you can get some peace of mind soon!

Michelle_in_cornland

Hettie, I think you should contact a mental health counselor to help you get through the days until your appointment. It is sad that kids at your age have these worries, because they are not justified. Your mind should not go directly to breast cancer at 19, 20, etc. Seven years ago, at 12 years old, your body developed breast buds pre-puberty. Your body will continue to go through changes for several years to come, then it will be somewhat stable, in mid life you get hit again with your body doing funky things. Make sure to get plenty of rest, drink water, get exercise, no alcohol (it does increase the risk for breast cancer), sit down with a registered dietitian and get a good meal plan going.

Hettie19

Renee, so sorry you are also going through this, it is not fun! Let us know how things go for you!

As for me, I've just got back from my appointment with a different doctor, after the worst week of worrying of my life! She felt around and said she couldn't feel anything. So she let me find it and then she felt it too, but said that it didn't feel worrying. She said that she thinks it may be glandular tissue. She felt under my arms - a lot more thoroughly than the last doctor (she was much better), and said that under my arms and nipples are normal. She said that I shouldn't go away and worry, but that I should get it checked out again in a few weeks, just to be sure. She said that usually she would want to see me back herself to feel for a difference. The only problem is is that I'm leaving for summer from uni tomorrow, and live too far away from here to come back for an appointment. So she suggested that I should switch GP's back to my old one.

So, this has given me some peace of mind, but knowing me I'm still going to be worrying about it and I know I am definitely going to be checking for symptoms everyday. But visiting that doctor and getting a second opinion similar to the first has helped a lot. I'm going to tell me mum when I get home so she can help me with the gp stuff.

Thank you to everyone, I'll keep updating! Hopefully I can chill out a bit now and stop worrying as much!

kmartin3243

I am glad that you got a second opinion. It seems like she thought it was normal tissue and not a lump (if I am understanding this correctly). You have definitely done everything you can do and both doctors seem to agree.. keep an eye on it and report any changes. I'm sorry you have had such a stressful time with this. Please keep us updated.

Hettie19

hi, yes I do feel a bit better. However still very worried for 1 reason. Basically, when stood up or sat down, the lump feels like a few lumps clumped together and moveable. However, I think this is actually the breast tissue going on top of the lump. My gp couldn't feel it when lying down. So I sat up and showed her where it was. She never felt it lying down. When lying down, it's hard and flat, doesn't feel moveable, is close to the chest wall - as though it is going in between 2 ribs. I'm mostly still worried because I, not even sure if she even felt what I was talking about. So I'm still very concernced. Especially because my shoulder blade on that side still hurts. I'm going to take the second GP's advice and book another appointment for 2 weeks time. Hopefully everything is fine. Still think I'm going to have a hard time though.

I'll keep updating. Thank you everyone!

kmartin3243

Sent you a pm