Swollen Underarm

[juliecansing]

I am 32 years old. I am in fairly good health other than feeling tired and fatigue all the time. I have had an area of concern under my right arm for at least three years now. It started out almost like razor burn, but has grown in size and is now about the size of a small bouncy ball(the size that you see in the pinball machines). I have not seen a Doctor in 6 years untill last Wed. I went for strep throat, but I worked up the courage to tell him about the swollen area. He did a breast exam and found cystict fybroids I believe. He said my right breast is inflamed and ordered a mamogram and ultrasound. I am not worried at all about cancer, but I am worried about having that mamogram. That scares me. I do have two Aunts on my mom's side that had breast cancer, but I am still young I think to get breast cancer. I think the doctor is waisting his time ordering this mamogram and I might not go.

[opinmin]

Great!  Hopefully you can post information about your follow-up and it can help someone else.  That is what this forum is all about.  Take care of yourself; Best wishes.  

[juliecansing]

I know your right. Thank you. Now you got me thinking.

[opinmin]

This is unfortunate you feel this way.  Well, look at it this way, you might not have the opportunity to go to the doctors when you are older because you might reach old age which leaves the alternative, know what I mean?  You have something abnormal going on so that makes you not well.  PLEASE, PLEASE get it check if you are really thinking about your love ones.  How will they feel if they don't have you there to enjoy growing old with?  Food for thought.  Your medical physican is the one who is to discuss the results with you.  I lost two aunts who thought like you; unfortunately everything and everyone else was more important.        

[juliecansing]

I am sorry that I did not make it clear that the Family Doctor ordered the mammogram and ultrasound. I assumed that the Doctor doing the Mammogram & ultrasound would send any negative results to the Family Doctor, but that was not the case. She said she did not see anything, so I figure no worries. I have not heard from the family doc, and I probably wont go back until I get sick again. I have always felt like I do not need to see a doc unless I am sick until I am much older. I do not like going to the doctor for myself. I focus on my family and their health. I know though that I am no good to them if I am not taking care of myself. I can't seem to get in the right frame of mind on that end.

[opinmin]

Please be a strong advocate in your care.  I am kinda confused.  Did you have an ultrasound and mammogram?  Both are negative?  Make a follow-up appointment with your medical physician soon to discuss the findings of the ultrasound and the mammogram so that you understand in detail what is going on.  Perhaps at that visit he or she can further discuss what can be done at this point for you.  I think labs and possibly having the area biopsied won't be a bad idea.  You can always call your insurance company to see what is covered, co-pays, etc. so there won't be any surprise on your end before making appointments.  It is not up to your physician to tell you these things, but is your responsiblity.  Always ask lots of questions; it is your life and health!
Most of the time the tech or physician doing the actual scans will not tell you much because it is up to your medical physician to tell you the information and how it relates to you.  I would definitely not let this persist.  Good luck.  

[juliecansing]

Thank you for the comments. I did have the mamogram. It showed nothing. I am still having pain in my right breast and the swollen area is still there. The Doc that did the ultrasound did not give me any kind of explanation. It is not Cancer though. That is good to know. I am wondering though if I should have blood work done just to see if it finds anything. I DON'T have a follow up scheduled. I hope the insurance will cover blood work. I do not know exactly what it does cover, so I worry about getting a huge bill in the mail.

[opinmin]

You are not too young for breast cancer and be grateful you have a physician
who is being agressive about figuring out what exactly it is.  I know someone who was
as young as 22 with breast cancer.  Plus, you have two relatives who have had breast cancer too makes a higher risk for you.  Breast cancer is highly genetic; lifestyle can definitely reduce your changes from it occuring.  I wish you the best.  Just keep in mind
it could be a number of other things too.

[yudmem]

even if chances are low for cancer (they are low , but still a quarter of breast cancer happens in younger than 50 females)
the meaning of finding one are huge (now the treatments are very efficient, with many women who get totally cured)
so I think the doctor made the best investment of his and of your time.
do the exams and have them normal, much better than one day tell yourself you could prevent somthing bad.

[yudmem]

even if chances are low for cancer (they are low , but still a quarter of breast cancer happens in younger than 50 females)
the meaning of finding one are huge (now the treatments are very efficient, with many women who get totally cured)
so I think the doctor made the best investment of his and of your time.
do the exams and have them normal, much better than one day tell yourself you could prevent somthing bad.