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Sunday, July 26, 2009 whitneyh823 asks

Q: I am 19 and I have had a lump in my left breast for 3 weeks now and I'm worried.

Hi, I'm 19 and I have a lump in my left breast and it came up a few days before my cycle started and was really painful when touched. I didn't really think much of it at the time because my breasts tend to get very sore and lumpy feeling before and during my cycle. But it has been about 3 weeks now and the lump is still there. It is not really painful anymore though. I worked at a camp last month and I drank coffee everyday sometimes twice a day and I used to not drink caffeine really at all. I was wondering if this could be a cyst or FBD or worse? My mom and her sister have FBD.

 

Also, my aunt is a nurse practitioner and she told me that from camp I have pulled muscles in my arm and in the upper breast/armpit area and that I seem to have swollen nerves in the area as well. Maybe this has something to do with it?

 

And, I missed my cycle last month. Which I feel like was stress related.

 

I am just scared my dad's sister had breast cancer so I am a bit worried.

 

Thanks!

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Answers (1)
PJ Hamel, Health Guide
7/26/09 9:26pm

Hi Whitney - I'd doubt this is breast cancer. At your age, you chance of having breast cancer is about 1 in 1 million, so chances are slim. I'm not sure what FBD is, but you could have fibrocystic change, which is very common in women your age. Also, please read our Teen Guide to Breast Development, for more info. about breast lumps in general. If this lump remains as is, or gets larger/more painful, then perhaps you should see a doctor; you should have it examined, and you might be able to get something for the discomfort.

 

Finally, your aunt having breast cancer doesn't raise your risk any, so don't worry about that. Good luck - PJH

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7/26/09 9:46pm

Thank you so much! My cousin is an OBGYN and I work at her doctors office so I will probably talk to her about it tomorrow. I have just been so nervous about it though. And the fibrocystic change you mention I think is what I heard FBD was. I have been some what at an ease just because the pain has went away so I figured that means it must be getting better. My aunt said it was probably all the caffeine I had been drinking at camp. But again thanks so much!

 

Also I would like to say that I subscribed to you and read your stuff. And I just want to say that you are very inspiring. I respect you a lot!

 

God Bless!

-Whitney

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PJ Hamel, Health Guide
7/27/09 10:08am

Whitney, thanks so much for your kind comments! I'm sorry you've had to access this site, but am glad you're feeling better, and I hope the pain continues to abate. Good luck with whatever path you take in life - it's all stretched out ahead of you. Scary, but exciting, too. Be well - PJH

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By whitneyh823— Last Modified: 11/17/10, First Published: 07/26/09