Breast lumps in smaller breasts, and concerned

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sayheysam
sayheysam Member Posts: 50
edited September 2016 in Benign Breast Conditions

Hello,

So I created this account because I've always been a worry wart when it came to my breast health. I'm 20 years old, and when I was 17, I found a lump in my right breast. It was hard and extremely movable when I touched it. I waited three months and it didn't go away, so I went to my doctor and was sent to get an ultrasound. It turned out be a fibroadenoma thankfully, and my mind was at rest.

This past year around January, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer but it was below stage 1 so luckily she had a lumpectomy, radiation, and is so far cancer free! However, I became extremely paranoid and anxious once again about my own breast health, so I sought a gyno since I'm older and felt like 20 is a good age to start having this discussion with a professional. We discussed my history, my mom's cancer experience, and my mind was at ease. My gyno performed a breast exam and felt nothing abnormal, and wasn;t particularly concerned about my fibroadenoma or my mom's cancer experience being a problem for me at this age. This visit was on June 20. She also said because my I'm thin, have small breasts, and low fat percentage, my breasts are a bit more dense/fibrocystic

It is now September and my period ended about a week and 2-3 days ago. I decided to go a breast exam because I remembered it out of the blue, and felt another lump in my right breast that is also movable. This one feels more oval whereas the other one felt more round and marble-like. My mom is a nurse and when i asked her about it, she told me to just observe it. I'm still a little panicky, but am praying and hoping it either shrinks due to hormonal fluctuations. do you think I should be concerned? I was thinking of bringing it up to my doctor when I see her in October, but right now it's still in the back of mind.

Comments

  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited September 2016

    Dear sayheysam, Welcome to the community. We are sorry for your worry. While 20 years old is very young for someone to be diagnosed with breast cancer, your mom's history may enhance your own feelings of worry about yourself. You may want to talk to your doctor whether that be now or in October about your worry and how you can continue to be observant about your breast health but without the accompanying worry that you carry. You may want to check out our Breast Health site for those who want to do what they can to try to prevent breast cancer. Whatever you do try to refrain from googling your symptoms because such may increase your worry unnecessarily. Keep us posted on what your doctor says whenever you decide to go. The MOds

  • mkkjd60
    mkkjd60 Member Posts: 583
    edited September 2016

    Hello say. I always think it is best to err on the side of caution - in any circumstance- so why not tell your doctor so that you can get some peace of mind. That being said, it is much more likely than not that like may girls your age you are just lumpy. It would be unusual for your lumps to be anything more than just that. As the daughter of a mom who had bc, I can tell you we are in a kind of "club" where we worry that we will be like our moms and get bc. It's just natural. But as my doctor told me "You are not your mom". So true. Be well my friend. But I would give that doc a call. Mary

  • sayheysam
    sayheysam Member Posts: 50
    edited September 2016

    Thank you Moderators for responding!

    Thank you too Mary, I agree. Because our moms had BC, we end up being anxious about it as well.

    So as an update, the lump is still here and I got my period Friday. I messaged my gyno about it about 2 weeks ago, and she told me its most likely a new cyst or fibroadenoma and to avoid too much caffeine, soy, and chocolate. She also said that if it changes in size or sensitivity, the next step would be for a breast sonogram. I'm debating on waiting until it ends and seeing if the lump shrinks or goes away. If not, I was thinking of two options. I'm currently two hours away from home due to college, and am unsure whether I should simply make an appointment with my gyno for when I come back in October, or see my university's physician here. The thing about seeing my university's physician is that 1) he's a male and I hate to admit that I'd feel a little embarassed 2) They might simply refer me to a breast clinic here, but I don't have my insurance card with me at school nor do I have a car (although I could ask either my boyfriend or a friend who has a car for a ride). What would you guys suggest?

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