worried if it's cancer

[patsa]

I'm 33 yrs. old there's no history of cancer in my family, i'm in good shape. Just recently 2 days after my period, I touched my left breast on the upperside and felt it hurt, just to the touch. I felt a little thing like a pea, but much smaller. I made an appt. to see a doc. on wed. by Mon. i felt that  by the middle of my breasts on my left, a little above where the wire of my bra ends, it felt a little tender when i touch. When i press on it i could feel more swollen little like glands. The doc. told me it didn't feel like cysts more like um..fibro...something, i just can't remember the word, but she says, that she didn't think it was cancer but she couldn't say for sure, until i get a mammogram.  Towards the end of the visit, she said with a smile, " don't worry"...I can't help but worrying. When they send you for a mammogram, does it mean inside the doc. thinks i tmight be cancer...I'm just scared.

[patsa]

Thank you very much for your response.  It made me feel less worried.  I've been stressing about this, that sometimes  i feel anxiety starting to kick in.  It's  been on my mind since the day i found the small lump.  I'm supppose to get a mammogram maybe next week.  I'll post back (hopefully)with my "normal mammogram results".  Thank you again for putting my mind at ease.

[katarina777]

Fibroadenoma? or 'fibrocystic breasts'?

These are benign lesions that many women have, and they are usually most noticeable before your period and then go away, or shrink considerably after your period starts. They are nothing to worry about and not cancer, and unless there is considerable discomfort associated with them, they are best left alone. Same for cysts.

You probably don't even need that mammogram and your doctor is just covering her behind, but on the other hand it's good to have a baseline view in case something may develop in the future, and then can be compared to that first mammogram.

Cancer usually does not hurt like you describe either. Some people are helped with painful breast symptoms when they cut down on caffeine.

These are the bare basics and you really not need to worry just like your doctor says. It's always when one has a symptom or test for the first time and knows nothing about it that they are scary and I am reminded of the first ever breast lump I had and which was nothing.

Best, KAT

[Totie]

No it does not mean cancer. I am 39 & have had mammograms since I was 37. The first time was due to lump on left breast. Went in for mammo, then called to go back in for further testing. I think they told me dense tissue or the fibro word you were mentioning, not sure what it's called. I go every year now for mammo, & yes everytime I get called back for the left breast (to do further testing). It always comes out okay.

Now one month ago during my yearly woman physical with gyno, i told her i thought my left breast was shrinking, it is smaller than my right, & just noticed it about two months ago. She did the breast exam & yes I do have dense breast, but this time she found a lump on my right breast, so now I go in for a mammo & further testing on my right breast. I like you do not have a history of breast cancer in my family (but I do smoke), yes I know i need to quit...but have no desire to do so.

I guess I am not worried about it at all because it does not run in the family, I feel like it is the same thing going with the left breast, & I was told it is normal for one breast to become larger than the other, so I guess it is more annoying to me in having to go get the testing done next week than fear of cancer.

Just remember, the mammo is to make sure everything is okay, it is a routine test done yearly for women over 40 or 50. Most lumps are benging anway, but they are just making sure. It could also be a cyst as well. Try not too worry.. It will be okay...