i'm 40. i went to my family doc about 3 years ago, asking for a mammogram and he sent me away saying it's hormones and that i'm too young! i'm angry at myself for not taking charge of my body and for being so quick to accept his "relieving" prognosis. now the lump is bigger, i'm sure, and is very sensitive to the touch 2 weeks prior to period. my mammogram is scheduled for day 9 or 10 of my cycle. i'm worried about the pain involved, especially if there is still tenderness there.
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Q: I have a painful lump in breast and afraid upcoming mammogram will be too painful. my first time.
Answers (2)
5/17/08 9:31pm
Laurie, in general, a lump that responds to your menstrual cycle - becomes more or less tender, larger or smaller - isn't cancer. Nevertheless, I'm surprised the doctor was so cavalier in dismissing your fears. 37 years old certainly isn't too young to possibly have breast cancer. I'm glad you're going for a mammogram. Three things: 1) Try to change the date so it's not during a "tender" part of your period; if you explain the situation, maybe they'll take mercy on you and squeeze you in someplace that suits you better. 2) If you can't change the appointment, hopefully your hospital has the MammoPad, which is a relatively new cushiony thing that does offer some welcome padding. 3) Load up on your favorite painkiller before you go - Tylenol, Ibuprofen, whatever you take for aches and pains. Best of luck - at least, if it's painful, it'll be for a relatively short time, right? 
-PJH
5/18/08 1:47pm
I can't believ that a doctor dismissed your concerns over a lump saying you were too young for a mammo!
I was just 31 when I found my lump - in fact the evening of my birthday (nice gift right? LOL) My ob/gyn sent me out for a mammo and ultrasound and that is how I spent my Valentine's day. Cancer does not run in my family, yet I was diagnosed with it.
I found the mammo to be uncomfortable, but not as painful as I had expected.
I've read emails comparing mammo's to having your boobs squashed by a car tire, or slaming the freezer door shut on it. But it really wasn't that bad or even really like those anologies. Of course I don't know if breast size plays into it how much it hurts - but I do recall my lump being a but sensitive to the touch (but it might have been cause we were grabbing it with our fingers, and trying to wiggle it back and forth) but even with that self inflicted sensitivity, I still found that squashing my small D cups wasn't that bad.
So take a deep breathe, it will be ok. And live life by my motto - Hope for the best, prepare for the worst. That way you're always prepared for the worst case scenario.
Good luck to you!
Angi
8/19/09 8:26pm
Good luck next Tuesday, Michelle - here's to the Sisterhood of Survivorship! PJH
8/19/09 9:50pm
Thank you, you too. Mammograms are only painful for a moment and the bigger your boobs are the less painful but no matter what it is worth it and woman can take a lot - you'll be fine.
4/ 8/10 7:54pm
i have a lump in my upper upper L-breast and it is very painpul? I am kind a worried. first, my left breast was throbbing a bit before untill i continuously check and almost evryday checking.. until one day there is a painful that seem lump to me now. very painful if u try to press it that area. I have my cyst in my other breast but its already aspirated.
4/ 8/10 8:55pm
Gemma, in general, lumps that turn out to be breast cancer are painless. It's much more likely you're experiencing fibrocystic change, a condition that produces painful cysts and lumps - particularly since you've already had a cyst in your other breast. Please read our breast lump FAQS; you'll find the information there that'll help you assess when/if you should see a doctor about this, OK? Certainly, if the pain persists longer than a month; or if it becomes noticeably worse, and your breast seems infected (red, hot, swollen, itchy), see a doctor without delay. Good luck - PJH
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By Laurie— Last Modified: 11/11/10, First Published: 05/17/08
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I was dismissed by a doctor too. I had a strange pain in my breast that I had waited three months to make sure it wasn't cyclic. Women know their own bodies so don't ever let a doctor dismiss you like that again. I was told I was too young also and left the office feeling stupid but after three months I could actually feel a lump so I went for a mammo on my own and it was cancer. I have become very proactive about my health care since that. Its been 11 years now cancer free. I recently found a small lump at the incision site that is tender but doesn't feel like the other one did so Im hoping it is only a cyst. Have mammo on Tuesday-my fingers are crossed. Good luck to you too, empower yourself and know your body and if a doctor ever dismisses you like that again you tell him/her exactly why you are firing them.