I'm 15 and for a while (all summer and part of last year) i've noticed that i have lumps in my left and right breast. It kind of feels like 2 huge rocks in my breasts, and they always hurt a lot, mostly when i touch them, i also have chest pain regularly (sometimes i find it hard to breath and my chest aches). I know it's not because of my period because i haven't had one in 4 months (i'm not sure if the two are related, i think it's because i've lost so much wieght). Breast cancer runs in my family and i don't know that much about it (breast cancer), but i do know that it's extremely unlikely for someone my age to have it. My mom said she would take me to the doctor, but i would like to learn about it beforehand and know if i should be worried... any advice?
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Q: I found lumps in my right and left breast, i think i might have breast cancer but i'm 15
Sabrina, my advice: DON'T WORRY!!! This sounds SO much like a puberty issue. Your breasts grow and change so much during puberty, and lumps are pretty much a fact of life. Ditto the pain. None of what you say points to breast cancer at all. For one thing, it doesn't occur in both breasts simultaneously (except very rarely); and it doesn't hurt (except very rarely, again). And, as you say, it's incredibly rare at your age. That said, you've done just the right thing, telling your mom. And, since there's some family history there, I'm glad you're aware of breast changes. I'm sure the doc will explain to you what's going on; what you can accept as "normal" at your age, what you should consider a change that needs watching. In the meantime - no stress. Enjoy the beginning of school. And good luck - PJH
It sounds as though you could possibly have fibrocystic breast, which is just another terms for lumpy breast tissue. I found out I had this in my left breast after I had already went through a mastectomy and chemo. Each lump brought such fear. I would mark them with a sharpie marker and track them and most times within a couple weeks they just went away. When I did have a mammo and ultrasound done that was when I found out that I had extremely lumpy tissue, so everything felt like a knot but nothing showed up on either test. I know it can be rather scary. Just keep up on your self exams and track your changes. If you notice anything unusual consult with your doctor. But as PJ said, you're also experiencing a lot of changes related to puberty and your hormones; so what you are experiencing is fairly normal.
Good luck to you!
Angi
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