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Monday, May 03, 2010 Ann asks

Q: Family history, fast growing breast lump near armpit.

I am 29 years old and have 2 breast lumps. I have been to my family doctor and he referred me to a surgeon and for a breast ultra sound. I originally went to him for 1 lump, but while I was bored and waiting I found the 2nd lump (pea size) in my breast near my armpit. The pea is now a grape (only 1 week later). We have a family history of breast cancer on both sides of my family. On my fathers side, my grandmother had to have her breast completely removed and my aunt (only daughter) just had surgery and radiation to remove a stage 1 lump. On my mothers side, my grandmother had breast cancer twice in her 20's, my youngest aunt is currently fighting stage 3 breast cancer, 1 aunt passed away from breast cancer, another aunt had ovarian cancer and had to have everything removed. The 4th sister is my mother and she hasn't been to a doctor since giving birth. Should I be concerned that this 2nd lump is growing so quickly given the family history? My aunt with the stage 3 cancer is undergoing testing for the breast cancer gene.

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Answers (1)
PJ Hamel, Health Guide
5/ 3/10 1:18pm

Actually, Ann, breast cancer lumps are usually quite slow-growing; this sounds more like a cyst or an infected lymph node. With your strong family history, however, you have to take every lump seriously. Report this new lump to your doctor, and see how s/he wants to handle it, OK? Good luck - PJH

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5/ 3/10 1:47pm

I have an ultrasound and mammogram tomorrow and I meet with the surgeon on Wednesday. Hoping all goes well. Thanks for the quick answer.

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PJ Hamel, Health Guide
5/ 3/10 5:16pm

Good, I'm glad you're following through with the process. Unfortunately, you'll probably have a lot of these scares; it'll help you to know, going forward, whether there's BRCA1 or BRCA2 in your family, so you can be aware of that. Hope things turn out well for you - PJH

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By Ann— Last Modified: 12/26/10, First Published: 05/03/10