Tuesday, March 08, 2011 Rachel asks

Q: Lump in breast that gets bigger with pms

I'm a 25 year old mother of 1. About 2 months ago (right before my period) I found a hard, painless lump in my right breast about the size of an almond. It is about 1 inch above the nipple towards the center, not near the armpit. It doesn't hurt at all and I was hoping that it would go away after my period. Well, the period came and went but the lump is still here. I'm about to start my period again and my breast are sore and swollen from PMS. Now the lump feels closer to the size of a brazil nut or a bit bigger. It's hard to tell the shape, but it's not a perfect circle. It's more of a oval type shape. Could this be cancer?

I have an appointment with my family doctor next week but I was just hoping someone, anyone had some sort of answers, ideas or advice about what this is. I'm freaking out and can barely sleep because this is pretty much all I can think about. Thanks.

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Answers (1)

PJ Hamel, Health Guide

3/ 8/11 11:55am

It's good you're getting this checked out by a doctor, Rachel. While breast cancer at your age is extremely unlikely, you always need to be aware of it. Please read our post on breast lumps for information about what this might be. Luckily, cancer is probably the least likely source of lumps. It's much more likely you're experiencing fibrocystic change, which is a bothersome but basically harmless condition quite common in women your age.

The doctor will probably want you to have a mammogram, an ultrasound, maybe even a biopsy, if the first two tests prove inconclusive. But don't stress too much - even if you get to that stage, about 85% of breast biopsies are negative - no cancer. So, the odds are definitely with you.

I know it's impossible not to worry; but really, chances are very good this isn't breast cancer. So go through the tests, get it ruled out, and get on with your life. Enjoy your toddler! PJH

Rachel

3/11/11 12:14pm

Thank you SO much for your helpful advice! The link that you posted was exactly the information that I was looking for. Especially the info about how cancer lumps do not change with hormones. Whenever I did google searches for my situation I just kept on getting webpages and message boards that scared me even more. You definitely helped put my mind at ease and lowered my stress at least 50%. I went to my family doctor a couple of days ago. He felt it and said that it was most likely a cyst. He ordered a breast ultrasound and also a mammogram if needed.

I went in today and ended up needing both. They told me that it is a complicated cyst and I need to go in next week for an aspiration and biopsy. Pretty stessful and scary but they told me that the chance of it being cancer is very low.

Thanks again for your amazing knowledge and this awesome website.

-Rachel

PJ Hamel, Health Guide

3/11/11 2:02pm

Good news, Rachel! I'm so glad you made the appointment so quickly, and are on the road to finding out for sure what this is. As they say, the chance of it being cancer is low; remember that 85% of breast biopsies are negative. So hopefully you'll just have a cyst that needs aspirating, and that'll be the end of it.

Best of luck with your diagnostic tests; and visit again anytime - we're here for you. PJH

Q: Lump in breast that gets bigger with pms

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