help??

[secretcm]

hi

i am 20 years old, i have a small lump on my left breast, i get pain from it every day, ive been to my gp and they said its just my bone??..... Its not at the other side tho and the other side isnt sore! what sould i do??

Thanks for the help

[namnam46]

Hi Secretcm,

I would also like to send you a welcome to this Forum. We're glad that you have found thiis Forum. I would like to remind you that there are no Doctors on this Forum we are all CP (Chronic Pain) Patients that help each other with our expertise and experience that we have each experienced thru our own Pain issues.

I'm really sorry that you have had to have this fear so early in your life. It's on of the most FRIGHTENING things that a Woman can experience.

I, too, had a lump just about a year and a half ago and I was SCARED to death about it. It, too, turned out to be benign but I INSISTED on a needle biopsy and I'm so VERY glad that I did as I would have been paralyzed with fear if I hadn't known for sure!! Breast Cancer is one of the MOST frightening things that could happen with me as My Mom passed away from it. However, I'm adopted so her History really had no bearing on me BUT everything that she had I've ALSO had!! So needless to say I WAS VERY fearful and my Doctors realized this and were very happy to allow me to have this test as they KNEW how frightened I was.

So DON'T hesitate to get a second opinion. You need to get this resolved.

Tuck was RIGHT, as ALWAYS, about the female Dr.'s. I was having a lot of night sweats after my Hysterectomy and my male GYN gave me the normal estrogen patches and pills which didn't work with me.  I went to a FEMALE GYN and she asked if I drank a lot of caffeine and I did, I ALWAYS had an Iced Tea with me ALL day long and she told me to cut it out and THAT stopped the night sweats IMMEDIATELY. They DEFINITELY understand us better because they have BEEN us!!!

I hope that you will let us know what you find out about your lump as we are very concerned about you......Sherry

[Mollyrae]

While it was not my intention to deter you from a Mammogram, many Doctor will not do one when you're so young. Whether you think you need one or not, it is up to the Doctor to order this type of test. I had said earlier that most Doctors will do an x-ray before a Mammogram and go from there.
Of course there are certain circumstances involved. If there is a history of Breast Cancer in the family then by all means tell the Doctor...they will make a judgement call from there.
Given your age, and without a history of it being in the family, it's highly unlikely that the Doctor will order a Mammogram.
The American Cancer Society and the FDA are always preforming new studies on when it's age appropriate for a Mammogram to be done. I think the guideline now is age 40 but don't quote me on that.
My earlier post was heading towards your age and the likelihood of your lump being cancerous. I didn't want to worry you. You have your age at bat for you.
Also, I never wanted to steer you away from getting help. The was not my intention at all. In fact, it was just the opposite. Yes, you should definitely have it checked out. It's important.
I'm sorry if I sounded less caring, I never intended it to sound that way. The Doctors are more leery of young adults having radiation (quite a bit in a Mammogram) and would rather find other means of making a diagnosis before that is used.
Make that appt. and get your piece of mind back. I'm sure that everything will be just fine.
My best,
Mollyrae

[Tuckamore]

Hello,

Welcome to the Pain Management Forum. I am sorry that you are in pain and that you are in disagreement with your physician.

I have several thoughts. In my opinion you are not too young to have a mammogram however a physician has to agree that it is warrantied. If you are satisfied with your physicians answers there is certainly no reason you cannot obtain a second opinion. Remember that you hire a physician, they work for you. So consult another.

Also there is a condition known as fibrocystic breast disease. Don't be mislead by the term disease as it is not really a disease. Usually breasts are dense and irregular with a and several or many bumpy tissue. However when it first begins it can present with "one bump." Always it is painful. Malignant or cancerous bumps or lumps are generally painless.

I have had this condition since my very early twenties. When it first appeared I had "one" lump. I was terrified. My PCP did order a mammogram, of course it was negative. That was some years ago. My breast lumps vary from one to almost uncountable. Again they are always painful, in varying degrees. Sometimes just prior to menstruation my one breast would be so painful that I could not even lay on that side.  It is possible that you have the early stages of this condition. Woman with Fibrocystic Breasts are not more prone to cancer.

So my dear please get a second opinion and discuss the possibilities with them. I find female physicians appear to understand the fears and concerns that woman have regarding female issues. Of course this is not always true and I am not trying to stereotype either sex.  It may just be because I am more comfortable with a female physician. everyone is different.

You may also want to post in our Women's Health or Breast Cancer Forums. We also have an Gynecology Expert Forum. These Forums may be better suited for your question through please know that you are always welcome here.

Please let us know how you are doing. If you seek a second opinion we would be interested to hear how that goes. I can relate with your fright. It may not be relieved until you have "proof" or a better explanation of what your lump might be and that it is benign. You may find that in the forums I suggested above and of course with a second opinion. I wish you the very best.

Take Care,
~Tuck

[mummy3too]

When I was younger, I also had a painful lump in my breast. I also had discharge from my nipple. I went to the doctor, they did the exam, sent me for a mamogram, did bloodwork, and told me it was nothing to worry about. They also told me that breast cancer rarely ever causes a painful lump. At my insistance, they removed the lump. Sure enough, it was benign.

Moral of my story? Although my doctors were right, I still think I would be worrying if the lump was still there. Sometimes you just need to have it biopsied or removed ... just for the peace of mind.

You GP says it is the bone... perhaps you could ask for a mamogram - again peace of mind.

We can all sit here and tell you it's probably nothing to worry about - but until you know it is nothing to worry about, it's all you will think about.

If your GP does not want to send you, ask your OB or GYN...

Wishing you the peace of mind you deserve...

[sandee1818]

I disagree.
Women with certain significant risk factors should get a yearly mammogram no matter what their age.
This from the American cancer society.
Also you do not always have to have a doctor refer you for a mammogram, many clinics do have self referrals.

[Mollyrae]

I should add that it would be very rare to develope Breast Cancer at your age.

[Mollyrae]

Hello:

You are very young and a Doctor has to be certain that there is cause to do a Mammogram. In your case, it sounds like it's a cyst. Cysts are painful and  not so much cancerous tumors in the Breast. A simple x-ray may be taken at first to rule out a cyst (they are easily seen on an x-ray. In any case, please have it checked out. It is probably nothing to worry about but staying on top of your health is.

My best,
Mollyrae

[sandee1818]

Hi,
Welcome to the community:)
Did they do any test at all?
Have you ever had a mammogram done?
I would be concerned if they did not do any test and definitely get a second opinion.
I can't speculate on what it is or why it is causing you pain, i am sorry.
I do recommend you get a second opinion if no test were preformed. Or ask your doctor to run some test and find out why it is causing you pain and exactly what it is.
Did they say the pain would go away or what it was besides just that it was your bone?