Found a lump under my arm

[Bridoir]

I have had a small lump under my arm for quite some time.  Yesterday I started getting pain spreading from the lump to just above my wrist. The pain only comes when I move or touch the area. The lump is about the size if a one pence wide and aprox. 2mm deep, and has never caused me any pain or discomfort before. I wouldn't have know it was there without touching it, until yesterday. Could this be a symptom of breast cancer? Is there other possibilities that the lump could be caused by something other than cancer? Cancer runs in my family. My Mum has has a mastectomy, my Dad died last year from a brain tumour, my Mums Mum also had bowel cancer! Both my Mum and Nannan have had the all clear thankfully.

[bea12]

I find out my mother had cancer under arm  in 1999 ?she never told me till jan 28 2008  .
she told me the cancer gone away !

what do I say to my mother ?

bea

[lizziecee]

I went for my normal 3 yrly mammo in Nov 2002 - was recalled in Jan 2003 to a Breast Care Centre of Excellence. I had no idea I had a problem as I couldn't find a lump in either breast, and neither could my GP. It was non palpable, so I guess it was deep in my breast. The tumour was just under the aureole. The only symptom I had was an occasional  sharp pain from my right armpit to my wrist, which I must say I had for a year or so.I never connected it with breast cancer - and why should I? Had never heard of the connection.Thank goodness for mammos.

It turned out to be a 2 cm invasive ductal tumour, with associated DCIS, both comedo and cribriform, that had already spread to my lymph nodes, hence, I would surmise,with hindsight, the pain in my arm. I didn't know then that I even had lymph nodes! I never checked my armpit as I was so very naive.

I would seriously suggest that you go to a breast care centre and have your lump evaluated. I have a friend in the US (I live in England) whose bc was found through a lump in her armpit.

I too, have a close family history of cancer - my father died at 59 yrs of colon cancer ( I have Crohn's disease of some 37 yrs, so am at high risk of it turning to colon cancer) and my twin brother died at 50 yrs of a malignant brain tumour. My father was one of 8 siblings and all of them died from various forms of cancer, so I do believe there is a genetic problem in my family.My GP told me I was "dealt a bad pack of cards with my DNA" and I think he was right.

However, there is always light at the end of the tunnel - I am still here 4 yrs later, after two surgeries, chemo and rads. Now doing very well on Arimidex.
I just treasure each day I wake up, and can smell the roses.

Hope your lump is benign, as some 90% of lumps are, and that you get it sorted!
Love,Liz.

[RavenLady]

Hey Bridior,
      Time to see your GYN for a mammo.  It could be lots of other things but given your fam hist a mammo at any age is warrented.  Don't borrow trouble by worrying about the worse case scenario.  Get in to the Doctor and get it checked out Bridior.  MV