I desperatly need some answers

[Crisci]

Hey everyone!

Im a 22-yr old and I found a lump in my breast ~12mths ago. I've been to various doctor's and intially I was told there wasn't anything to worry about. They proposed I had fibrocystic (i think thats right) breast due to hormonal changes. I told my bf about it and he insisted that I get a second opinion, which I did.
Again, I was told it was nothing to worry about.

Third time around, the doctor insisted nothing was even there! Both breast feel exactly the same. I was furious at this point. I have B-cups and there isn't much to get "distracted" from. So, I showed my doctor exactly where the lump was (which had grown considerably larger) and she relented that I go to a specialist.

The specialist referred me to another doctor where I got a ultrasound (today actually). I saw the images and I could clearly see the lump in my left breast 6 o'clock. Immediatedly, once the doctor noticed my age, she said I probably don't have cancer and its more than likely a fibroandenoma (*sighs).....

She wants to do a biopsy and the other doctor wants to remove it completely, so i'm confused. Everyone is telling me I'm "too young" to have breast cancer due to its rarity, but its not impossible right? My younger sister just had a lumpectomy this summer and I have a history of cancer (not breast cancer) in my family....

The fact that I've been going from doctor to doctor insisting something is there and being told that its not; to telling me its nothing; to telling me it may be something.

I know there are a lot of women older than I am who have went through this in the forum and I wanted to know if there is anyone out there who was told it was benign and then later told it was actually malignant.

[often]

For all the education and awareness on breast cancer out there, sometimes I think the docs should be the ones being educated.  20 is NOT too young.  Not common,perhaps, but not too young.  I also agree with Mamakaycee's suggestion...see your sister's doc and get his opinion.  Until you are sure in YOUR mind, keep asking questions and make them convince you.

[Vicki59]

Crisci - I am much older than you with a history of breast cancer in my family so my situation is different than yours, however I went through a similar journey with people telling me that the lump I clearly felt was either not a lump at all or not anything to worry about.  When I finally got someone to agree that I had a lump that had to be dealt with, I was faced with the option of either biopsy or removal.  My surgeon suggested removal due to my history of cancer.  I agreed, and as it turned out I made the right decision.    What I'm learning is that you have to educate yourself, trust your own instincts and be assertive about your care.   I think Mamakaycee's suggestion on getting your sister's Dr.'s opinion is a good one.

[CrankyBreast]

Don't fool around with this lump if it is getting bigger. You are not too young to have cancer. If you can get to a major medical hospital with a breast center, do so.

[Mamakaycee]

I also feel that for any woman, it is never too young.  My cousin had Breast Cancer @ 20.  And you could never be sure if it is benign or malignant unless a biopsy is done.  A sterotactic biopsy done by the correct surgeon is a great way to go.  Done right in most surgeon's surgical room and only leaves a dimple.  Women know their bodies better than anyone, so if you feel the lump, take the mammo to a surgeon and have him/her look at the mammo and decide for you.  I had breast cancer and after a few years there was what the radiologist, then the surgeon, said was a "solid".  I said just cut it out, and it ended up just being a scar tissue, but I wanted to be sure.  Why don't you take the mammo to the surgeon your sister went to?  Good Luck!

[lhughes69]

You are not too young.  I was 36 and pregnant when I was misdiagnosed with a lactating adenoma.  I had stage 3 breast cancer when it was finally removed 5 months later.  Some cancers grow really fast, others really slow.

Do the biopsy to be sure.  It's really the only way to know for sure.

Be your own advocate, find a doc who is listening.  Even if you turn out to be wrong, at least you will know and it will be documented on what it was.