Almost 22 with a marble sized lump.

kar41287 · January 2009

I will turn 22 in April. I have been giving myself self-exams since I was about 15,once to twice a month. This past Friday I was bathing with an oily body scrub, this is when I felt a small lump in the side of my left breast, close to my skin. I know that this lump was not here during my last self-exam or even around Christmas when I first used my body scrub. It has slightly increased in size over the past three days. My breasts are not naturally lumpy, so I can easily locate this mass. I read that lumps closer to the skin are more likely to be cancerous, and that this usually means they have been growing for years, and can make the patient more at risk.

Both of my grandmothers have had cancer, breast and skin.

Both of my grandfathers have had cancer, prostate and testicular.

My aunt had cervical cancer when she was 25 and had a hysterectomy.

My mother has cysts on her breasts and ovaries and has to be tested regularly.

Other symptoms I have been having are exhaustion, for about 1 year, despite eating healthy, and getting 7-8 hours of sleep. I also use to grow my hair very fast, but it has hardly grown at all in the last year. It has also began falling out, showing it to be unhealthy. I try to eat very healthy food and have tried various shampoos to improve its condition. My mother also wanted to ask if this could affect my skin? I have never had acne until recently, and now I can't seem to get rid of it.

I did schedule an appointment for February 6th. I am not sure what types of questions to ask, or what types of tests I should insist on. I read that sonogram and ultrasound's are more effective of determining cancerous masses, compared to mammograms. However, I also read that it is difficult to get an accurate diagnosis with women my age due to tense breast tissue. I'm not sure what type of test to look for. Also,I am going to the only doctor I have ever had. He was specializing as an OBGYN before switching to family practice. He has already saved my mother's life when I was born, and my life twice, at my birth (3 moths early) and by spotting my heart defect, when the specialists I was going to didn't. Should I get a second opinion, since he isn't a specialist?

Can anyone give me any suggestions about how to stay calm during my appointment? I have never had a breast exam. It will be weird for someone besides me touching my breasts.

I guess any advice or knowledge is welcome. I love biology and science, and look at life in those terms, typically (I'm a teacher), so don't be afraid of scaring or offending me. I'm trying to keep positive and I'm praying.

Anonymous · January 2009

Hi kar41287....You sound very conscientious and responsible about your own health and it's never a bad idea to get in the habit of doing a monthly self breast exam, especially with a history of breast cancer in your family. And, of course, it's good that you found this lump so that you can have it examined right away and get answers. Having said that, I'll also add that you should keep in mind that most lumps, including breast lumps, are benign. In fact, about 80% of them are, despite often looking pretty suspicious. So try to remember that fact as you pursue an answer.

I'd suggest that you start out with your regular doctor and see what s/he recommends. If s/he tries to dismiss the lump as "nothing" and tells you that you can't have breast cancer at your age, you should probably then seek out a breast specialist who will then examine the lump and, most likely, order some testing, probably an ultrasound. This will provide a good way of seeing what type of lump it is. The doctor might also order an MRI or, possibly, a needle biopsy. Don't be afraid of these tests, but if you're at all anxious or concerned about possible pain, definitely ask for pain medication and/or something to relax you. It's not at all uncommon to do so. As for feeling weird having the doctor touching your breast, that's completely understandable and normal and I should hope that the doctor will be sensitive to your age and your feelings. If you go to a specialist, you might try to find a female doctor since that could be more comfortable for you. In any event, the best way to stay calm is to try and distract yourself (kind of zone out, you know?) and remind yourself that it will be over very, very soon. Most of all....breathe. That's right, I'd recommend that you make every effort to just put one foot in front of the other and just get through it. Before long, chances are, it will all be behind you and you can get on with your life. You've got a long, wonderful life ahead of you and staying healthy is key. You've made a good beginning, so keep up the good job.

And please keep us posted on what your doc says. Feel free, also, to talk about your feelings here...it's a safe place and we sure do understand! Hang in there, kiddo....you're gonna be fine!

~Marin

Emily2008 · January 2009

I'm with FitChik. Start with your regular doc, who knows your family's history (this is good!).

Your doc should advise you on the types of tests to have done, probably starting with mammo and ultrasound. If this is a cyst, it will show pretty clearly that it's fluid-filled on the ultrasound. If there's any question at all, ask for a referral to a breast specialist and have an MRI done.

Also remember that the odds are most certainly in your favor, considering the fact that 80% of these lumps are benign. But you're doing the right thing by following up. Try to stay busy til your appt. Waiting is the absolute hardest part, BTDT!

Almost 22 with a marble sized lump.

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