Indent on bottom left side of left breast. So worried

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sunfl0wer94
sunfl0wer94 Member Posts: 2
edited April 2021 in Not Diagnosed But Worried

Hello everybody! I'm 26 and just had a baby 10 and a half months ago. I am still breastfeeding him and trying to figure out if this is of any REAL concern.

A little while after I had my baby, about 8-9 months ago, I noticed the bottom part of my left breast pulled in at the bottom while relaxed. When I flex my arms inward, it pulls in even more. I chalked it up to breastfeeding and ignored it. Now I'm having a achiness and burning in that breast and the indent is still there. I waited for my cycle to return to see if that changed anything, and when it didn't, I decided I should call my doc. Due to covid, I had a telephone appt, and he said he was very concerned and ordered a mammogram, which, OF COURSE, set off my alarms. Thanks anxiety!

My great grandmother had breast cancer and other than that, that's the only family history I have of BC. I realize I am young, but this just seems like an odd change.

Does anyone know if this could be related to breastfeeding? Having a hard time finding much information without the article screaming at me that I have cancer 😪 Just looking for some reassurance before my mammogram on tuesday so I can get some rest! Lol thank you in advance ❤

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Comments

  • LW422
    LW422 Member Posts: 1,312
    edited March 2021

    Hello Sunflower and I'm sorry you are stressed. I don't know about your indentation, but try not to worry until you have to. Thankfully your exam is Tuesday so not much longer now. Try to relax and enjoy that sweet baby.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited March 2021

    sunfl0wer94, welcome to BC.org! We know it's scary, but try not to worry too much. Breast changes are very common while breastfeeding, but best to get it checked out. Please come back to let us know how mammogram goes. We're thinking of you!

    The Mods

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  • Mountainlover
    Mountainlover Member Posts: 89
    edited March 2021

    Dear Sunflower, when I was weaning my first child I noticed an indentation in my left breast , I went for a mammogram which ruled out any issues, it was indeed linked to breastfeeding!

    My BC diagnosis happened many years later and there was no longer any indentation, so clearly unrelated.

    It is so hard I know, but try not to stress unnecessarily!

    Virtual hugs to you and best wishes.

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  • LivinLife
    LivinLife Member Posts: 1,332
    edited March 2021

    Welcome sunfl0wer though sorry you find yourself here... I do not know about the indentation either though hope it is related to breastfeeding as was the case in Mountainlover's case. It is good too that your mammogram is tomorrow! Longer waits just increase anxiety. You'll still have to wait for results and I hope those come quickly for you. As LW suggested enjoy your baby!

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  • sunfl0wer94
    sunfl0wer94 Member Posts: 2
    edited March 2021

    Thank you everyone for your replies and kind words! I guess I misunderstood my doctor, but I only got an ultrasound today since I guess they don't do mammograms on women under 30 years old. They didn't see anything and couldn't tell me why my breast was doing that. The doctor called me after I left and said after talking to one of his colleagues about my situation that he wanted to see me again in a month and if the indentation was still there that he wanted a mammogram done then.

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  • LivinLife
    LivinLife Member Posts: 1,332
    edited March 2021

    That makes sense sunfl0wer... I hope you're comfortable with that... sounds like you are even if you'll have some worry while waiting this next month.... Best!

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  • Mountainlover
    Mountainlover Member Posts: 89
    edited March 2021

    That sounds like good news already! I was indeed older than you (38) when I had that mammogram (my first). I hope you can relax a bit and focus on other things while waiting. 10.5 months is such a wonderful age for babies and they change and grow so fast :-) enjoy as much as you can and take care!

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  • Each_day_2018
    Each_day_2018 Member Posts: 154
    edited April 2021

    There are so many changes to the body while breastfeeding and it may certainly be related to that. However, if you are uncomfortable with those choices by your doctor, it is always well within your right to get a second opinion! I had recently stopped breastfeeding my third child and was noticing a lump in my breast with a small indentation. I had a mammo and an Ultrasound and followed up with a specialist, but they could not find my palpable lump or anything where the indent was on images. The breast specialist I went to said I was too young for it to be cancer and the changes were likely from getting older and/or nursing. I was 29 at the time. I waited 2 years when the indentation got significantly more pronounced and was diagnosed Stage 3 at 31.

    I post about this a lot, not to scare people, but because I think it is so important for people under 35 to advocate for themselves (which I didn't do)! From my experience, we are treated differently than women who are diagnosed at an older age and we are in such a different point in life. Often, it does not end up being cancer at a young age, and doctors are aware of this...but that doesn't mean they can determine it won't be cancer just because you're under XX years old. It's uncommon, but not impossible. If I had advocated for more testing earlier, I might not have advanced to stage 3 and might not have needed chemo and/or radiation. So I encourage you, if you are not satisfied, to seek more testing.

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