what could it be?

[gladis]

For the last week or so I have been feeling how one of my breast, the left one, has been getting swollen.  I don't have a nipple discharge, it is not painful, but the first days it was just a sensation, now you can see the left breast is larger than the other.  I'm also starting to feel the "swolleness" through my arm.  I don't feel any lumps unless it's a huge one that is causing my "swolleness" I am only 32 and the doctor said that he was going to schedule an ultrasound but it might not be until a week or so.  I am very scare.

[janz]

IBC (inflammatory breast cancer) does cause breast swelling.  If your doctor decides to put you on antibiotics and you don't see improvement within 7 days ask to be referred to a breast specialist that has experience with IBC>  Also please take a moment to go to www.ibcresearch.org and look at the symptoms for IBC.

[gladis]

I saw my gynecolgist this morning but she send me to see a surgeon to get an ultrasound, my breast is not red or hot. She thinks it might be a hormonal change because I missed two days of my pill and took a double dose for two days but I am not sure that's it.  What really worries me is the waiting.  They won't see me until August 5, that's three week from now and I don't know what to do.

[surgeon]

I'd say that even if not red or hot, a breast which is truly enlarging needs to be evaluated.

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear gladis:  Most breast cancer does not cause swelling.  There are a few such incidences, however.  This could be several things, most of which are not cancer (infection for example). If the breast is also red or hot to touch, you need to see your doctor.