should i get it checked out?

[kristal666]

I got a lump in my armpit about a year ago or mabey longer, but it never really bothered me before and it was really small so i never bothered to get it checked out.  but in the past couple months i've noticed other lumps growing by the other one.  One of the lumps are getting kind of big and hard and it hurts anytime I touch it. I don't know if it's something I should be worried about, should i get it checked out??

[Fernando Roque, MD]

Hi.  Those armpit lumps are likely lymph nodes, which are actually clumps of white blood cells.  Lymph nodes are normally found in the armpits, but you can't usually feel them out unless they get enlarged and swollen.  There are many reasons why lymph nodes can swell.  The most common involve inflammation or infection on a nearby area, and the swelling of the nodes is part of the body's natural immune response.  Cancer, particularly breast cancer in women, can also cause lymph node swelling.  

Those armpit lumps are probably nothing to worry about, but it may be better for you to have it checked by a doctor. It might also be helpful to request the doctor to do a breast examination as well.