Baffled

[sjojo]

I am 41 years old and there is no history of breast cancer in my family. I recently had a mamogram done. I received a phone call from the radiology department that another mamogram needed to be done due to Asymmetrical Density in my left breast.  Well, I have had alot of pain in my left outside part of my breast.  My OB/GYN said it was more a thickness that cyst like.  Also, I have had pain in my collar bone on my left side only and pain in my left forearm and my wrist on my left hand.  Even neck pain on my left side with pain also in my chest at times. Could part of this be due to stress?  All my pain is on the left part of my body which is really, REALLY causing me much worry.  Please let me know what you think all this could possibly be.  Thanks for your time!

[Cleveland Clinic]

Dear sjojo:  It is not uncommon for an assymetric density to require an additional film to further clarify.  Often, this turns out to be tissue folded over on itself and will smooth out with compression.  If the density remains, an ultrasound may be done and further evaluation determined from there.  Most breast cancer is not painful.  In terms of the discomfort, this would need to be evaluated by your doctor.  We cannot speculate on what may be contributing to this problem.  Certainly, stress can contribute to discomfort but it would be important to rule out any causes.

[Jaquta]

I haven't known stress to discriminate like that although I guess if you are anxious about symptoms on one side of your body then your mind is more likely to manifest them.
Breast issues aside, is it possible you have a pinched nerve or something like that that could be affecting other body parts?

J