Thursday, May 31, 2012
Just Diagnosed with Cancer? Chat with Experts

Thursday, March 19, 2009 Katie did asks

Q: 28 and scared.

Hi All! My name is Katie and I am a newbie to this site. My question is, is that I am 28 years old and about a month ago I discovered a lump in my armpit, it is not painful, and is not near the surface of my skin and is about the size of a pea. My grandmother has had breast cancer return 3 times as well as having a radicule mastectomy. I have an appointment tomorrow for a mammogram, however I wanted to hear what this community thinks about my situation.

 

Answer This
Answers (2)
PJ Hamel, Health Guide
3/19/09 3:59pm

Hi Katie - You did eactly the right thing - tell the doctor and have some diagnostic work done. This could be a bit of scar tissue, a swollen lymph node, a tumor - benign or not - or something else... There's just no telling till you get examined. At your age, breast cancer is unlikely; your grandmother having had it doesn't raise your risk. Even if they want you to have a biopsy, about 85% of biopsies are negative—so statistics are definitely on your side. Nevertheless, it's always important to get lumps under your arm, or in your breast, examined. So best of luck tomorrow—I hope things go well for you, as I'm quite sure they will. PJH

Reply
3/19/09 11:41pm

That is good that you made an appt. Tell your Doctor about your grandmother and find

out about any other relatives Aunts, cousins to see if they have had any type of cancer and what type and how old they were. How old was your grandmother when she got breast cancer is important also. If she was older when she got it then you are less at risk. The important thing is that you are going to the doctor and that you are reaching out to others. My daughter is your age and she found a lump and it turned out to be nothing. I am a two time survivor and my mother is a breast cancer survivor also. So early detection is important. My daughters doctor wants her to have 2 MRI's a year but her insurance doesn't want to pay for it. In about a month though her insurance is going to be better. But he did want her to at least have an ultrasound because just a mamogram at your age won't show enough. My mother never got breast cancer again. Also try not to stress out. Stress is not good for cancer. Make sure you eat right. My doctor said stress made my cancer worse and stress made my mother get cancer also my moms doctor think also. I know easier said than done. My daughter was under a lot of stress when she had the lumps. Plus with it being in the armpit you will need to have the ultrasound. 

 

Good luck and I will be thinking of you. Please let us know. I will be waiting to hear from you. 

Reply
Answer This

Important:
We hope you find this general health information helpful. Please note however, that this Q&A is meant to support not replace the professional medical advice you receive from your doctor. No information in the Answers above is intended to diagnose or treat any condition. The views expressed in the Answers above belong to the individuals who posted them and do not necessarily reflect the views of Remedy Health Media. Remedy Health Media does not review or edit content posted by our community members, but reserves the right to remove any material it deems inappropriate.

Ask a Question

Get answers from our experts and community members.

Btn_ask_question_med
View all questions (6580) >
By Katie did— Last Modified: 11/03/10, First Published: 03/19/09