Lumps, discharge, and severe pain in both breasts

[neu_chick]

I am 20 years old and have noticed lumps in both breasts since about 17. As I've gotten older they have increased in size and have developed more. My aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer about two years ago. Back in February I noticed discharge coming from my left one. I went and saw a doctor and he ordered an ultrasound right away because he said he could feel the breasts nodules and felt there was concern to look into it more, but that a mammogram was too soon for me. He gave me a medication for the discharge because he stated it was an infection. I now noticed discharge in both breasts (it is a brown and white mix) and not a day goes by without severe pain in both of them. I constantly do self-examinations and have noticed an increase in thickness and size in a few of the lumps. However, when I do just sit upright I can sort of squeeze my breasts from top to bottom or side to side and feel masses about the size of a golf ball in both and about half an inch thick. The doctor told me that the ultrasound didn't really show much and that he said it was probably Fibrocysic Breast Disease (FBD). I am scared and worried because I don't have a definite answer on what exactly my problem is. Any advice or idea what my problem may be would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[neu_chick]

I completely understand what you mean. Everyday I cut outsugar and caffeine, not to mention the fact I take vitamin E. The pain makes me so sick to my stomach I feel like I will throw up. Lately however I noticed some discharge just leaking out. Now I am more worried because last night I was doing another self examination and found another lump. This one is not as big as the other ones but hurts just as bad if not worse. I hate living like this. I just wish someone could tell me what exactly is wrong. However since I have no health insurance and money is very limited because of my schooling it is difficult for me to seek a decent doctor. How come the doctor says he doesn't feel anything when I feel him touching or grabbing the lump and he can see me in pain? My boyfriend has felt them and he says something is not right and that I shouls see a doctor right away. I would agree that it would be tumors but however that disease, the one that person said started with an A, does not have any pain associated with it, which is not my case. I just wish there was an easier way to find out what exactly my problem is.

[Reneesfancy]

I have the same problem.  I had a tumor removed when I was 21 years old.  I am now 35.  I have been diagnoised with Fibrocystic Breast Disease.  I now have lumps in both breast that are very large and extremely painful to the point I vomit from the pain and discharge from the left nipple.  I noticed this on self examination and went to see my Nurse Practioner who also found them, on her recommendation I went to see a Surgeon in my area.  On his examination he claimed he couldnt find anything even though when he touched the largest one in the left breast I came up off of the table.  I went to see a second surgeon in my area who recieved the same reaction from me, who told me I would have to live with the pain.  I was told no caffiene and take vit E.  Well I did both and the places are larger and more painful.  I have had both the mammogram and the ultra sound which showed up Nodules in both breasts.  Now what?

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear neu_chick: Many women have some type of nipple discharge or fluid when their breasts are squeezed, and its normal. Squeezing the nipple sends message to the brain and the pituitary gland responds by increasing prolactin levels, which in turn produces discharge from the nipple. The discharge can come in a variety of colors - gray, green and brown as well as white. Some women are more prone to more discharge including women on; birth control pills, certain blood pressure medications or on major tranquilizers. These medications increase prolactin levels in the body. There is also certain life periods when a person is more likely to get discharge than others: there may be more discharge at puberty and at menopause than the years in-between.  The time to worry about discharge is when it is spontaneous (comes out without squeezing), happens only on one side, keeps happening, and the discharge is bloody or clear and sticky (like an egg white).  In addition, breasts that are dense and have a lot of fibrous tissue (very common in young women) will become swollen an painful during certain points of the menstrual cycle.  It may be helpful for you to seek a second opinion with a breast specialist if for no other reason than to relieve your mind.

[surgeon]

fibrocystic disease is uncommon at age 20. The discharge you describe would be very unlikely due to infection, so antibiotics wouldn't help. At your age, if they are distinct round lumps, they're most likely fibroadenomas, which are harmless tumors, quite common in young women, and which tend to regress as you get older. Even with the family history, cancer is rare at your age, and when there are lumps on both sides, it's even less likely. It might be that, in order to put your mind at ease, you should ask to be referred to a breast specialist, which is usually a general surgeon. Meanwhile, what you describe does not sound worrisome.