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Monday, May 23, 2011 kehjj04 asks

Q: I have a tender "spot" in my breast, the side closest to my arm. My OBGYN (im also 28 weeks pregnant) said he did not feel a lump or anything suspicious

But he also said if the tenderness is still there in 4 weeks he will order an ultrasound. Here we are 4 weeks later and it is still there. It is tender only if i push in the area and there is no lump that i can feel either. I know im jumping the gun but i have 3 small children and am petrified of getting cancer. Does this sound like it could be cancer or something else. I had a scare 8 months ago on the other breast and had a baseline mammo and both sides came out fine. My surgeon says i have very lumpy bumpy fibrocystic breasts. I am 26 years old.
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PJ Hamel, Health Guide
5/24/11 6:12am

Hi - This doesn't sound like a breast cancer symptom. Your doctor is being extra-cautious - which is good. Any breast change that lasts longer than 4 weeks should be examined, diganosed, and treated, if necessary; thus the ultrasound, as the first step in that process.

 

The fact that you're pregnant, which produces all kinds of breast changes; have lumpy breasts, which could indicate fibrocystic change (a basically harmless condition that can result in soreness and pain); don't feel a lump (the most common indicator of possible cancer), and are 26 years old (at your age, breast cancer is very rare indeed) all stack the odds against cancer, and towards something hormonal.

 

So, please try not to stress too much; with three young children and another on the way, I'm sure you have enough to worry about! Proceed with the ultrasound, and any further tests necessary to rule out cancer; and I'll bet within a few weeks this will all be behind you. Good luck - PJH

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By kehjj04— Last Modified: 05/24/11, First Published: 05/23/11