19 years old: Pain and Lump in one Breast

Options
Sciencekid21
Sciencekid21 Member Posts: 8
edited April 2018 in Not Diagnosed But Worried

Hey guys!

I noticed an immovable lump in my left breast about two months ago. Since then, it has become increasingly painful. I've been poking at it quite a bit, which has lead to some bruising as well. I'm now noticing some thickening of the breast tissue. Compared with the other side, its not as soft or pliable and this asymmetry is really concerning to me. I visited a physician and she said that she wasn't concerned but I do have an ultrasound in two days.

I'm 19 years old, with no family history of breast cancer and I don't use hormone-altering drugs such as oral contraceptives but I could be an exception, right? I know fibroadenomas are common in young women but those are typically movable.

Should I request a mammography even if the ultrasound comes out clear? Its the middle of exam season for me and I can't seem to think of anything else except for this issue!

Thank you to everyone who offers advice!

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • mustlovepoodles
    mustlovepoodles Member Posts: 2,825
    edited April 2018

    I'm sure you are concerned--any kind of changes to our breasts tend to worry us. At your age, your risk of breast cancer is virtually zero. There are many BENIGN conditions which will cause lumps and bumps and pain.That said, its always a good thing to get it in the habit of checking your breasts, even at age 19.

    Mammograms don't "see" through young breasts well because they tend to be dense. That's why they don't generally do mammos at your age. Ultrasound is very effective at "seeing" into young dense breasts. If the ultrasound comes back clear I think you can rest easy.

    Now, try to keep your hands busy--busy hands will keep your brain from over-worrying. Try not to touch the site constantly; that isn't helping. It would be EXTREMELY unlikely for this lump to be anything but BENIGN.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sciencekid21
    Sciencekid21 Member Posts: 8
    edited April 2018

    I wish there was a definitive answer for why its so painful upon palpation. When I visited my physician, though she didn't express any concern, she never gave me a clear understanding of why I'm experiencing these symptoms. Either way, thank you so much for taking the time to reply! You certainly put me at ease and right now, any form of reassurance is extremely helpful!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mustlovepoodles
    mustlovepoodles Member Posts: 2,825
    edited April 2018

    It's possible you have a cyst in there. They can be very painful. An ultrasound will be able to spot a cyst immediately--it looks like a round black coin in your breast. The good thing about a cyst is that they can aspirate the fluid out of it and make the pain AND the cyst go away.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Egads007
    Egads007 Member Posts: 1,603
    edited April 2018

    Hey Sciencekid21- love your screen name! Mustlovepoodles hit the nail on the head with her post. I thought I’d chime in to let you know that my breasts are dense and cyst-y. All my cysts are benign and some of them hurt at times. Not unusual at all...and trust me they keep a very close watch on anything in my breasts. The pain I get from cysts after anultrasound can sometimes last a long time too, but does eventually go away. If it doesn’t they’ll simply drain the cyst. That said (and how mustlovepoodles said) it’s ALWAYS best to check any changes, so you’re doing the right thing. Most likely at your age is that you’ll be fine. Let us know how things go!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sciencekid21
    Sciencekid21 Member Posts: 8
    edited April 2018

    Mustlovepoodles, thank you so much for that information! I'm really hoping its just a cyst. Egads007, thank you for replying! I'll keep that in mind. Your words are very reassuring and I'm becoming more convinced that it could simply be a cyst but the fact that the tissue in the left side feels thicker is still worrying me.

    Do either of you ladies (I'm assuming you're ladies) know if it would be a good idea to get a biopsy to confirm that the lump is benign? From what I've learned in school, ultrasounds can only visualize something filled with fluid. If the mass in my breast is not a cyst, but some other fibrous mass, I'm not sure how effective an ultrasound would be at detecting malignancy.

    I know biopsies can be painful and invasive but I'd take that over losing my sanity!

    Thank you so much to both of you again!!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mustlovepoodles
    mustlovepoodles Member Posts: 2,825
    edited April 2018

    Not true! Ultrasound can see inside the body through organs and tissues, even some bones. They even use it to look at the inside of a baby's heart while it's still inside the mother! Pretty cool stuff.

    Benign and cancerous lumps have different characteristics on ultrasound. A radiologist who reads breast imaging can generally spot the difference and if there is a level of suspicion that it might be cancerous, he would recommend biopsy. Biopsies are invasive and not without their own risks, so they aren't going to stick needles in your breast without a darn good reason to do so.

    Frankly, I think you are getting way ahead of the ball here. I know the waiting is hard, but you have to keep your hands and brain engaged in something other than cancer. At your age your risk of breast cancer is statistically zero. Zero. In fact, I would bet my 401k that this is ANYTHING but cancer.

    Hang in there. You'll have some answers in a couple of days.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sciencekid21
    Sciencekid21 Member Posts: 8
    edited April 2018

    Thank you so much. You words are an incredible help to me, words can't even describe it. I'm trying to keep busy with my finals right now so I think I'll make it through the next two days! I am so thankful that such a supportive community exists.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Egads007
    Egads007 Member Posts: 1,603
    edited April 2018

    I have to Agee with mustlovepoodles again, hang in there until the ultrasound is done and unless something is way off, listen to the healthcare professional’s advice on the way to proceed. Let the team know your concerns about the skin thickening you noticed so they can take a look at it for you. For now concentrate on your exams, this isn’t a reason to be terribly concerned at this point. Go ace those exams! :)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sciencekid21
    Sciencekid21 Member Posts: 8
    edited April 2018

    Thank you Egads007! I truly appreciate the support from both of you! I will post an update after the ultrasound is done!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sciencekid21
    Sciencekid21 Member Posts: 8
    edited April 2018

    Hello guys!

    I just wanted to post and let you know what happened after my ultrasound today (and hopefully help someone else with the same symptoms as me)! The physician said that there was nothing concerning on the ultrasound and that I could rest easy but that I should come back if the lump grows or becomes painless! Thank you, mustlovepoodles and Egads007, for being so supportive and reassuring. You've helped my mother even more than me because she was extremely distressed the past few months. My heart truly goes out to those who are unable to hear this good news but I am so grateful for this wonderful community.

    Not to make this post too long and cheesy but this scare has certainly been a learning experience. As someone who is trying to get into medical school, I'm always on overdrive but I've realized that life is so precious AND its fleeting. To anyone reading this, do not sweat the little things. School, work, finances...though they're all important, their significance doesn't compare to that of your loved ones, your health and general happiness. We often only notice these simple treasures when we feel that they'll be taken away from us altogether. As the age old saying goes, stop and smell the roses!

    Thank you so much mustlovepoodles and Egads007 for sharing your wisdom and kindness and just the right moment.

    May God bless you all. <3<3<3

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Egads007
    Egads007 Member Posts: 1,603
    edited April 2018

    WOOT! So happy for you and your mom. Looks like you had a life time epiphany today...hold it close because your wise words are SO TRUE...always smell the roses! Now go get yourself into medical school, we need gals like you in this field to put a beat down on this dreaded disease! Just keep those roses close at hand. Hugs to you and mom!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sciencekid21
    Sciencekid21 Member Posts: 8
    edited April 2018

    Thank you so much! I’m not celebrating too much just yet but I’m hoping this lump doesn’t change anytime soon! Your support these past few days has been priceless. God bless!<3 <3<3

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mustlovepoodles
    mustlovepoodles Member Posts: 2,825
    edited April 2018

    Congratulations! Whew! I know you and your mother must feel relieved. Now, back to your previously scheduled programming.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sciencekid21
    Sciencekid21 Member Posts: 8
    edited April 2018

    Hahaha! We are definitely relieved and so grateful that this is nothing serious. Thank you so much for everything!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories