not taken seriously due to age, hopeless

Hi I'm new to this site but I do have knowledge of this disease, as my Grandma had breast cancer twice, and I was by her side the entire time. And by the way, she kicked its butt! So don't give up and stay positive:) Us woman have eachotther:) And men of course, just not so common. Okay leave it to me to get off subject before I get on lol.

Im actually here for a concern and honestly a frustration in hopes of advice (I read the rules and I understand this site is not to replace medical aid, nor to get straight answers, only for questions and suggestions as well as support, and shared experience to ensure no one is alone during their journeys etc).

So ill start with my age. Im 29, about a year and a half ago I practically had to beg my doctor to refer me to a specialist because I was have sharp pain in my right breast. I did a self check in the shower and right where the pain was I felt a hard lump. I encouraged myself not to go into panic because I know woman get cyst and other such growths, swollen lymph nodes etc. But I also heard my Grandmas voice saying "If you have to wander that's when you go in, don't wait to confirm something is there. My doctor for some reason was reluctant, I don't think he took me seriously one bit. Finally along with some eye rolling he referred me.

I went in about a month later, and right away I was treated like a girl that probably went on google one to many times and thinks the sky is falling on me. I was ordered a mammogram and an ultrasound, they skipped the mammogram, and just did the ultrasound. They said be cause of my age and not having children I had very dense breasts so it was hard to see anything on the ultra sound. They also said gils get pain in their boobs from hormones, especially when their cycle occurs. (gee thanks)Then they said to come back when I was 40, that's usually when woman start coming in.

I went home feeling rather discouraged. You wold think I would be happy that I was told nothing was there but that was quite the opposite. I felt like I was treated like a child, and I felt almost hopeless. I knew I felt something there, I found it do to the sharp pain I had been having in that location. Yet wait til I'm 40? I felt they had diagnosed me before they examined me.

almost a year went by and that sharp paid had gotten worse. I would be standing just fine then suddenly a sharp stabbing pain. It also hurt to lean forward, like that spot was a hundred pounds. like a rock was trying to break through my skin from the weight. Let me just add I'm only a B34. I made a doctors appointment and begged my doctor to refer me again. It was literally like pulling teeth. After harsh criticism he finally said ok. A few weeks later I was back at the center. That time they gave me a mammogram as well as another ultrasound. This time, they did see it and felt it. Barely, and it took a minute. But they did find it. Thank God I thought to myself. That relief quickly faded.

They remembered me from a year ago, and this is what came out of the doctors mouth. " You say you felt something last time according to you but our records didn't find anything. Now there is something there though" I cant word it right but basically he said this finding was new. I went from relief, now maybe they'll take me more serious. To wow. I didn't think it was possible to make me feel more dumb then last time. I mean of course I felt something, not only is your finding exactly where I had claimed I could feel something, but I came back in because that same spot has been causing great pain and the lump felt larger.

He said he didn't want to do a biopse quite yet, and they wanted to watch it for 6 months to see if any change happened. They weren't quite able to make it out what it was, not a cyst, not a lymph node, but possibly a benign tumor. Now this would not have worried me, if it weren't for the fact I myself felt this over a year ago, and it has grown.

The anxiety I had after that was daily. I didn't understand why people say early detection if it means to detect early treat later.After a few months the pain worsened and Finally I told my doctor I wanted to go in sooner so I went 4 months after the last visit. 6 months just wasn't happening.

This time, he defiantly confirmed something was there. Wasnt difficult to find. And it was more visible on the ultrasound as well. So it went from non detectable, to slightly detectable, to very detectable. He still isn't quite sure what it is, but again, he wants to watch it for 6 more months. What are we watchin git for, to wait till he can confirm something bad? I just don't understand. We keep saying watch it when each time we have watched it it has gotten bigger. It causes me pain. My shoulder has a sharp pain right under my shoulder blade and I'm not sure if its from that but i think its linked. Like maybe because I try not to flex the side due to the sharp pain so its straining it or something? my shoulder blade has started to raise and stick out. My nipple is sometimes inverted which I just read on this site is a symptom. I feel almost sick to my stomach when i think about what they might find 6 more months from now. Ive done everything I'm supposed to, and the place i go to is the best braest center around, with all new technology. they just redid the entire bulding and people travel from all over to go there. So why do I feel like I'm alone. I feel like my body is telling me something, and Im just sitting here doing nothing about it. I would feel okay, I trust doctors, but when they don't trust me to trust myself then what? If he doesn't know what it is and every time he decides to watch it, and it gives him a clear answer, why continue to watch? my paper work from each visit goes from nothing found, to likely benign, to come back its very important to follow up because early detection is crucial. I almost feel like their covering there butts while also still doubting anything is wrong. they keep saying I'm young, but they should know age does not matter especially with my family history.

I guess what im asking is, is my experience normal? Is this how its supposed to go and im overthinking? or are they assuming and underthinking? I am trying to be my own advocate and no one hears my. well they hear me but they arent listening. My healthcare is for they place only unless i travel hours and that's if i can beg my doctor. Im very limited where im at. and i know people will say second opinions are always good, and i agree completely. but before i go through that hassle, can i just seek advice, experience, anything. By advice i don't mean direct medical advice, again, I know that is not what this site is for, I mean i feel lost and im at a standstill. My mom past from covid last month and I don't know what to do, she is usually who i go to. so please, anything helps.

ps: sorry i talk way to much, sad thing is, this was me trying to get to the point. they more detailed version probably would have turned into a novel.