I'm 23 w/lump the size of a golf ball

My boyfriend has been pestering me to go see a doctor about my brest lump that is now the size of a golf ball. I have actually had this lump for a couple of years. I first noticed it about (if I'm remembering correctly) the age of 15, but never told my family cause it scared me at first. It started out about the size of a small grape and for about a year it would only enlarge when I would have my period then shrink back down when it was over. After that year I noticed it getting bigger even when I wasn't on my period. By the time I finished high school I could actually see the lump, it seemed like each year it would slowly grow some. After I had my son at 21 I noticed it had gotten a lot bigger and seems to be growing a little faster. I have also noticed that if i lay with out a bra it will hurt at times. I have no insurance so that is my main reason for not seeing a doctor. Should I be worried about this? I've always just kept it in the back of my mind.

[sventura]

There has to be some kind of insurance ummm...Medicade or Medicare you should be able to apply for one of them. WHat youre describing does in no way sound normal, however I think you already know that. You need to see a Dr. Try calling OMG i cant remember the name my neighbor goes there...um its the place in your city that approves food stamps, call them ask them for the information on I think it would be Medicare for you. There is a form you fill out and then you take it in for approval. Im not positive on how the process works, so I'll look more into that but this is something serious, and it  is not just you at stake anymore you have kids and a husband/boyfriend. Trust me when I say not doing anything will destroy them just as much if not more than you.

[zouzi]

Hi,
Your boyfriend is absolutely right to "pester" you to go see your doctor and have your breast examined.Any lump found in the breast should always be examined.I am just guessing here that this could be a cyst or a fibroadenoma,but since this lump has enlarged considerably,you should have a test of some sort done, in order to find out what it is exactly.
If you have no insurance,please contact,as soon as possible, these places for assistance.

1)The American Cancer Society. toll-free: 1-800-ACS-2345

2)The United States Government’s National Cancer Institute can direct you to a local resource for free screening. Call them toll-free at 1-800-4-CANCER .

3)Susan G. Komen for the Cure provides information on free or low-cost mammograms and other sources of financial assistance. Call toll-free, 800-IM-AWARE

4)The American Breast Cancer Foundation’s Key to Life Breast Cancer Screening Assistance Program provides financial assistance to uninsured and under insured women and men of all ages for breast cancer testing. Call their toll-free enrollment hotline, 877-Key-2-Life (877-539-2543).

Finally, try calling your local hospital. Ask to speak to a social worker. He or she will be the one who’ll know about the availability of free or low-cost cancer screening in your community.

I really hope that this helps..Please make sure that nothing is left to chance...your health is very important to you and your family.
Sending you my best wishes...and good luck!

[sidewalk_suzy]

Thanks for yalls response. I'm deffinatly gonna check into the information y'all gave me. I really appreciate it. I also forgot to mention that my grandmother had breast cancer, wold that increase the risk of having it?

[zouzi]

You welcome Suzy,
Your grandmother having had breast cancer would not increase your risk as it would, if your immediate family like your mother,sister or daughter had or have this disease.Even if that was the case,the risk would be a low one, about 10 to 15%.
I am very glad you will pursue this problem...You are very young and you have a full life ahead of you to enjoy.Do whatever you have to do,but don't give up until you find out what's going on okay?
Take care dear and God Bless....

[Marsha00]

Like everyone else said, it's best to have it checked out...we never know.

I found golf ball sized on my R breast in October, I freaked out....I thought I was in stage 4 with breast cancer. I had mammogram, ultrasound, needle biopsy then open surgery biopsy...no sign of cancer and infection. I was relieved..even my doctor isn't sure what I had, so it became frustrated for me.  I went to see 2nd opinion @ Breast Care Clinic and just in time when it got worsen by having redness and bruise-like on my side of breast...it became so sensitive for me to touch it, even a finger tip. Finally last week, the infectious disease doctor diagnosed me with Grandulomatous Mastitis and now is taking steroid to reduce the inflammation. Yes, I'm relieved it's not cancer but still lot of complication. So better go and see a doctor before it becomes too complicated. Your boy needs his momma just as much as my 11 years old needs me. God be with you and all of us with breast diseases.