BREAST PAIN AND UNMOVABLE MASSES

ONE WEEK AGO I DEVELOPED PAIN AND A LUMP (IN THE AREA AROUND THE NIPPLE) IN ONE BREAST BY THE TIME A DOCTOR EXAMINED ME THE OTHER BREAST STARTED TO HURT AND A LUMP DEVELOPED THERE AS WELL. I AM 30 YEARS OLD AND HAVE A FAMILY HISTORY OF BREAST CANCER. COULD THIS BE CANCER OR SOMETHING ELSE. IT WAS THREE WEEKS AFTER MENSTRATING.

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear PANZY: You mention that this occurred 3 weeks after menstruating.  That means it is approximately 1 week before menstruation.  These painful lumps may be cystic in nature and often occur with the menstrual cycle.  Breast cancer is not usually painful. You did the right thing by seeing your doctor.  Presumably, he shed some light on what he thinks is causing this problem.