lump at young age

[dt81]

My girlfriend is 22 years old. She has had a lump on her left breast since she was 19. She absolutely refuses to go to the doctor to get it checked out. she says it is not anything serious. should i be worried about breast cancer here. i know she is too young to have breast cancer at 19-20 years old.

i was just concerned.

[Boozy]

Thank You again for your response, it took me a while to find the subject, in this colum.  You have helped me, and I appreciate your understanding and thoughts.  I will show the people in my life, who just dont understand my fear of Doctors' and get frustrated with me over it.

[MLWTR]

No, I'm a medical writer. No special training in mental health. I've just researched and written about many different areas of medicine over time, and soaked up odds and ends of information in the process. I chime in occasionally when I have some background in an area and think it might be useful to someone. No intention to dictate treatments, just to offer some ideas. Hope they are occasionally useful. Thanks for the thanks!
(By the way, don't be embarrassed about being afraid of doctors. It's a common enough phobia that it even has its own name: iatrophobia!)

[MLWTR]

Regarding fear of going to the doctor: you might benefit from a short course of focused therapy with a psychologist who deals with anxiety disorders, since such fears are essentially a form of anxiety. The treatment might involve trying to challenge the fears, e.g., if you are afraid that you will be told to have cancer when you go to the doctor, you might be asked to write down all the times you had been to the doctor and what the results were (you probably didn't have a cancer diagnosis every time!). You could also try looking for books in the self-help/psychology section of a bookstore. I think there are some workbooks on anxiety and phobias designed to help you recognize and change your thinking patterns.

[Boozy]

I have a horrible of fear of Doctor's, so afraid of being told bad new's.  Anyone out there who can relate to this?  I wonder if there are actually Doctor's who specialize in FEAR OF DOCTORS, I have heard of Dentit's who cater" to people who have such a fear of Dentists'  I would appreciate any feed back!
Thank You

[dt81]

Thanks...

thats exactly what i told her... probably not anything serious but whats the harm in getting it checked out.

Now the challenge will be to get her to actually go see a doctor. I cant understand why she avoids doctors visits so much.

[Boozy]

Thank you for your comment regarding my fear of Doctor's.  I have never had cancer, it is just this overwhelming fear, all I can compare it too is someone who wont get on a plane.  its embarassing, I do see a psychologist from time to time, usually when I am having trouble in my relationship, but I should look into a more focused, form of therapy like you have  suggested.
Are you a psychologist or another kind of mental health worker? I am just curious.
Thank's again for your response!

[ally'smommy]

THERE HAVE BEEN PEOPLE AS YOUNG AS 16, I HAVE HEARD, DIAGNOSED WITH BREAST CANCER BUT IT IS RARE.  SHE NEEDS TO JUST HAVE A DOCTOR EXAM IT.

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear dt81:  It is not unusual for breasts to feel lumpy, particularly in younger women.  The key to self breast exam is to be familiar with the tissue and recognize changes.  Any change or new lump should be evaluated by a doctor.    If your friend has had a lump that is unchanged for 3 years, it is unlikely to be cancer.  Although breast cancer is uncommon in women in their teens and twenties, it is possible, so it is never to early to be evaluated if there is something of concern.  It would not be a bad idea for your girlfriend to consider a physical that would include a clinical breast examination.