Urgent breast clinic referral- scared

jess2098

Hi! I’m new here but have been looking at this forum for a while... a week or so ago I discovered a lump in my breast. It’s in my left breast close to the nipple and feels sausage shaped. I’m only 20 years old and terrified. I saw the nurse today who felt the lump and basically just confirmed it was there and that it isn’t right. She only felt the lump whilst I was laying down and didn’t say anything about it’s characteristics. I’d say it’s firm, but I can get my fingers around it and it kind of slips through my fingers quite easily. It feels smooth, I’m no good at measurements but I’d guess 1 - 2 cm. She asked about my family history and it’s only my great aunt that’s had breast cancer and she was over 50.

The nurse told me I would get an urgent referral for the breast clinic within the next two weeks because they have to treat all patients the same. I’m really scared in case it’s the worse case scenario! she didn’t say anything that reassuring other than “it could just be a blocked gland/duct”. I don’t think she really took notice of my age, she didnt even ask! though I assume she knew anyway, but I know breast cancer is rare in younger women... I’m just so worried if it was I dont know how I’d cope! My mum is the only other person I’ve told and she said not to worry because I won’t know what it is until I have an ultrasound.

Sorry this is so long, I needed somewhere to write down my thoughts

Jess

mustlovepoodles

i know you must be scared, but let me try to reassure you. The risk of breast cancer at age 20 is exceptionally rare. Less than 0.1%. So, its not completely impossible, but you have a better chance of winning the lottery. At 20, your breasts are still developing, believe it or not. Lumps, bumps, and dimples are common in young women, nearly always due to benign conditions, such a fibroadenomas, mastitis, and infections. And your chances of this being benign are better than 99.9%, so there's that.

Try not to spend time googling breast cancer. Most of what you'll find will have NOTHING to do with your situation and it will only frighten you needlessly. It would be extremely hard to find legitimate research articles that would cite breast cancer in a 20 year old, because there just are so few cases world-wide.

jess2098

Thank you for your reply! I've heard of fibroadenomas (from google of course, but im going to try to stop googling now) and was slightly alarmed when the nurse didn't even mention them or anything else for that matter. Though I know it's good that she's taking this seriously. The statistics are reassuring to know and have made me feel a little better so thank you

jess2098

Just an update- my appointment letter came today for the breast clinic- august 9th,so about a week. Trying to stay positive for now will keep updated

Rosey84

I have lots of sausage shaped lumps including behind the areola. They feel firm too but are simply fibrocystic. They get smaller and bigger throughout my cycle but are completely benign! Have you monitored your lump throughout your cycle to see if it changes? Fibrocystic changes are extremely common in younger foll

jess2098

Hi Rosey! I discovered the lump a week or two before my period (though I’ve possibly had it a lot longer) and I dont think it’s changed since, though sometimes I do think it’s more/less noticeable to feel than other times, but that might just be me... It’s great that yours are benign! I hope this turns out to be something like that too

Bnbear20

Hi Jess,

I'm also 20 (almost 21), and your situation sounds quite similar to mine. I found a lump about 2 weeks before my period too, and it's located under my nipple but on my right. My ultrasound said mine measured 3.8 x 3.2 x 1.4 cm. My breast specialist has informed me that it's developing breast tissue, but I've had constant pain for more than a month now which worries me a bit. I have a follow-up ultrasound in about a month, which I'm hoping will clear my mind some more. Do you have any kind of pain with yours? If you ever need someone to talk to about any of this, I'm happy to listen

- B.

jess2098

Hi B, thanks for the reply! no, I don’t have any pain at all. I worked hard to lose a lot of weight last year for my health, but it’s obviously caused my breasts to change in size and shape so I have to get used to what’s normal again. I hope your follow up ultrasound goes well

jess2098

I have my ultrasound later today. Feeling nervous at the moment the thought of having to wait a while for results too... I don’t know if i’ll need a biopsy

Sjacobs146

Take deep breaths, and remember that the chances of this being breast cancer is extremely small. Your recent weight loss probably has a lot to do with you noticing this

jess2098

Hi all, just had ultrasound and they told me they couldn’t see anything abnormal at all! this is such a relief. I mentioned my recent weight loss and they said they could very well be why I’m feeling things I didn’t before. Of course i’ll keep a check on it to make sure there’s no change but that has put my mind at rest for now. Thank you all so much for the support and I wish the best to all of you

- Jess

Meow13

jess, wonderful news. Relax.