Hi, My name is Susan. Breast cancer runs in my family. My breast has been hurting for 2 weeks now and there is nothing that bothers me more. I haven't been able to lay on my belly at night and they hurt all the time. I have been wearing a bra to see if it helps but without failure. They hurt more with one on. I can't touch them at all and my left one hurts more then the right one. I have felt something in the lower side of it and it does feel like a lump. What should I do? I have a mammagram on Friday so do I just wait until them to see whats going.
Susan, with breast pain in both breasts, it's highly unlikely that the pain is related to breast cancer, whose symptoms are usually painless. Pain such as you describe is usually the result of hormonal issues, such as fibrocystic change. A lump might be a fibroadenoma or cyst; some cysts can become very painful indeed, and need to be drained. At any rate, I'm glad you're seeking treatment for this. If I were you, I'd call the radiology department ahead of time, and ask about getting a mammogram while you're in a fair amount of pain; they may advise you to take some ibuprofen ahead of time. Best of luck - I hope you get to the bottom of this soon. PJH
good day! uhmm... I'm 20 y/o and I noticed that my nipple on my left breast is inverted when I wear a bra.... could it be a possibility that I have Breast CA???
It's possible, Anika - but very improbable. If your nipple is only inverted when you wear a bra, and "pops" right out once you've had your bra off for awhile, I'd suspect your bra might simply be too confining/tight. If your nipple stays inverted permanently; and if this is a change from normal, then you'd want to see a doctor to find out what's causing this, OK. Take care - PJH
my name is spree. i have a bad feeling that tomorrow i am going to get the news hat i have bc. my symptoms are: a lump i have had for a few years has started to get bigger in these last few months, my nipple has flattened, and where the lump is has recently started to itch, also my breast has been getting bigger and more firm in one area. i am kind of freaking out. i am 21 years old btw.
Spree, a lump that you've felt for a few years is probably not breast cancer; once you can feel a cancerous lump, it's likely to cause additional symptoms much more quickly than you describe. Women your age very seldom get breast cancer; however, they frequently experience fibrocystic change resulting in cysts, which can change size more readily than a tumor, and which could probably flatten out your nipple and produce itchiness due to their growth. I'm glad you're getting this looked at; and I hope it's not breast cancer. But if by some rare chance it is, please come back here; we can help you. Take care - PJH
hi my names danielle
this is about my sister i am worried about her, she has lumps in both breasts sometimes they will go under her arm pit. if her breast get pushed on or hit it sometimes gives her a shooting pain and makes her crouch over it puts her in tears or nearly does she tells me they get itchy, feels like they swell, discomfort, skin peels off her nipples, she has been to several doctors and one referred her to a specialist all they said is it would be hormone disfuction except the lumps are there constantly they dont come and go, the specialist refused to investigate because of her age. this has been happening for five years now and it just keeps getting worse. she is 20 i understand that because of her age it is very unlikely she does have breast cancer but it is still possible rare but possible, and nobody will actually get down to the bottom of it because of her age. just need to know what you think and what she should do next?
Danielle, it sounds like the doctors are right; numerous lumps in both breasts, lumps that are painful, sounds like fibrocystic change – which can be severe, but isn't life-threatening.
Breast cancer is possible at age 20; and yes, it's possible one of these lumps might be a tumor. But it's so rare; and the symptoms, at this point, don't suggest breast cancer, so I'm not surprised no one is pushing for further testing. Since she's been to a breast specialist (right?), and s/he isn't worried about breast cancer – then there's really nothing more you guys can do, beyond get a second opinion from another specialist; and ask one of her doctors how to deal with fibrocystic change. Some women find relief by staying away from caffeine; and there may be other things she can try, but that would be for a doctor (again, a breast specialist) to recommend. Good luck - I hope she finds some relief soon. PJH
Danielle, the doctors should have done an imaging test called an ultrasound to make sure those lumps are cysts. If they did that, they can be very sure the lumps are not cancer. If these lumps are large, the doctor can drain the fluid out of them to reduce the pain. It is a simple procedure done in the office of either the radiologist or surgeon. The fact that these lumps are painful suggests that they are not cancer. Yes, it is unlikely that a 20 year old would have breast cancer, but the doctors should be giving other reasons besides her age for believing these lumps aren't cancer. They should be able to say that the shape and/or or texture don't feel like breast cancer lumps and the ultrasound shows that they are harmless fluid-filled cysts.
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Thank you so much for this post... Breast cancer runs in my family so obviously I follow this very closely and tend to be rather hypochondriac when it comes to any sort of pain or soreness in my breasts... It's refreshing to read something like this post to put everything in perspective again... Not that I will stop getting checked regularly, but mentally, this is exactly what I need to read more often! Thanks!
Lucie - that's exactly the reaction I hoped readers would have. Ever-vigilant - but NOT ever-stressed! Thanks - PJH