Panicking lump in breast 25 years old

[smmaho]

I have found a pea sized hard lump in my left breast. I first noticed it a month ago and waited to see if it went away but it's still there. I'm petrified that its cancer. I know I'm only 25 but that means nothing. Yes I went on google and found pages of people who were young and had breast cancer. I'm so scared because its been there for at least a month but most likely a lot longer. Anything hard in the breast is not good. I have felt other lumps in my breasts but this one just seems harder and has scared me. I hope to go to the dr tomorrow. I haven't told my fiancé because I know that I would break down in tears

I'm so scared!

[marc]

If you were not worried, than you would not be human. My wife was told by a radiologist that
the vast majority of breast cancer is found in women over 40. MY wife also has had a number of
call backs after her mammogram and all have been fine. I think it is best to make an appointment
with the doctor and odds are you will be fine. Good luck.

[Slangevar]

I found a pea-size lump in my left breast when I was just about your age... it turned out to be a benign lipoma. I'm also prone to breast cysts... mine range from hard peas to big, squishy grapes to chewed gum.  Just remember: the vast majority of breast "masses" are benign... especially in someone your age. 

Stop googling and go in for for a clinical exam with your gynecologist... they'll decide whether or not you need any further testing.

(Btw, my breast specialist was amazed when it turned out I actually had a lipoma in there. He said that the majority of women he sees have mistaken part of their rib for a lump.)  ;-)

[smmaho]

Thank you for your replies. I'm from Australia so we don't see gynocologists we just go to our
Normal GP for things like this. My normal GP isn't available for a week and is prefer to see a female
So  having to see a dr I've never met before which is scary because how do I know if she's any good ahhh. So scared getting through today is tough!

[smmaho]

So I went to the dr and she was lovely however I was clearly pushed to my limits. When I got in I started telling her about my anxiety first and the tears started until I could barely talk I was crying so much. The dr was really understanding. I finally stopped and told her about the lump she checked both breasts and said both felt normal. She said that what I was feeling was normal breast tissue. She said that a tumour would feel as hard as your knuckle. She said that I can have a ultrasound done for piece of mind but she said she thinks its just normal breast tissue not even a cyst. So I'm feeling better however I was teary on the drive home. I've only cried three times now in front of a dr and the last time was 2 years ago so clearly my anxiety is at a peak right now and something needs to be done.

[kmm110]

That is great news!! I know it is hard to believe though, as a someone suffering from health anxiety. If she thought there was a problem, she would definitely send you for more testing.

[Slangevar]

My "normal" breast tissue feels totally terrifying to me... it's gotten to the point where I don't even do self-exams anymore... I just go to a breast specialist every 6 months and my regular gynecologist every year.  It's amazing how scary "normal" breast tissue can feel.

So congratulations!  And yes, if you're breaking down in the doctor's office, it's time to get some help for that anxiety.

[smmaho]

So......I'm already doubting the dr..... I felt the lump again probably shouldn't have done that but I did and I felt it and I don't know how she couldn't feel it or just called it normal breast tissue. Ahhhh. I am going to get the ultrasound done which is going to cost me a fortune, I hope I don't have to wait too long. It's amazing how one single thought can become so negative and just snowball.

[nole23]

I know all about doubting doctors... That's my specialty! But you have to trust that she knows what she is looking for, and she knows what normal breast tissue is supposed to feel like. I have had BC scares before - didn't feel a lump but freaked out over a raised lymph node near my breast. I also wasn't convinced when the doc said it was nothing, so I had the ultrasound, and it was nothing. Doctors know their stuff, I bet you are just fine!!

[Slangevar]

As my breast doc told me, the vast, vast majority of breast cancers are found by doctors, gynecologists and breast docs because they know what they're looking for.  Normal glandular breast tissue feels weird and knobby to us, but that's because we haven't been trained to know the difference.

(That said, I know how much peace of mind comes from an ultrasound. If you can afford it, go for it. There's no radiation and you'll feel better almost instantly.) 

[smmaho]

So  I am still worried over this breast lump. As of yet have not had an ultrasound done. I can either pay over $200 and get it done this week or wait 3 weeks and get it done for free through a public hospital. I have decided to go to a female dr close to me to get a second opinion. This dr charges not bulk bills (free) like my other doctor was doing and for some reason in my head I figure if you are paying someone then they must be better right? Keeping in mind I live in Australia so don't know if that's the same else where. I will see her tomorrow night. If she recommends an ultrasound then I will get it done if she doesn't think it is needed then I won't. I will also tell her about my anxiety because I plan on her being my regular dr that I see (if I like her that is!).

[marc]

I a very happy that the doctor said you are OK.

[Leapple]

I'm having a similar anxiety. I'm 28 and I have a hard, knotty lump in my breast. It's about the size of an almond, and it's HARD and immoveable. Plus my breast is kinda swollen, itchy and tender. It sounds legit to me, I'm scared going to my Dr today. Ugh! I hope for once it's just my anxiety, but all my symptoms seem to be adding up!

[kmm110]

I'm in the same boat right now. My breasts feel so lumpy (esp my left one) so I finally got my baseline mammogram yesterday. The tech said there is a GOOD chance that I will be called back for more films because that is typical for a baseline, esp for women my age (35). I am panicking and having a really hard time controlling my anxiety.

[smmaho]

I wish you both all the best. It's so scary. I went to my new dr today. She was lovely, she spoke about my anxiety and breast lump and was not pushy or rushing the appointment. She said that everything felt normal and yes she could feel the lump I mentioned but said it felt like normal breast tissue and that I shouldn't worry. She said however no matter how old or whether she feels the lump is normal or not she always has a triple check philosophy. If she feels a lump, she sends for ultrasound, if that says its not normal breast tissue then she does a biopsy. So she told me that she highly doubts its cancer because it doesn't usually feel like that but she still wants it ultrasound. I feel okay at the moment I just want to get the ultrasound done already. Deep breathes.

[skleep]

Can you move it around? I have something like that and it was just a cyst.

[smmaho]

Don't think so.

[Slangevar]

smmaho - my cysts don't feel mobile either. My doc tried to show me how to feel if it's mobile, but I was hopeless. Don't worry about that.

[smmaho]

I have booked an ultrasound for Monday which feels like forever away and
Then after that I have to wait 3 days for results and then if they find something I need a biopsy done. I'm petrified, I know the dr said not to worry but that's easier said then done. Don't know how I will cope waiting. I don't feel like doing or planning anything because I'm fearing the worst!

[Slangevar]

You would be amazed if you knew how many women on this forum have been through the exact same thing. My breast doc said he wished they would stop calling fibrocystic breast disease a "disease"... he said he sees it in every woman he sees.  Cysts and benign breast tumors are SO common, and the fact that it feels like a smooth pea is a great sign. Docs get worried about misshapen lumps that seem attached to the skin and tissue.

Hang in there - you're going to be fine!

[smmaho]

So I had my ultrasound done today. The lady scanned the whole breast but also asked me to find the lump and then she scanned over that section a few times, first time she said it looked normal so asked me to show her another two times and said all looked okay. She said tht between me and her she thinks its all just normal breast tissue but I guess I will have to know for sure until I see the dr on Wednesday night.

[smmaho]

So went to the dr and not sure how to feel. Ultrasound found nothing but normal breast tissue. The dr said that she wants to be 100% sure so has asked me to come back in a month to feel it again. Last time I saw her she said it doesn't feel like cancer but now wants me to come back to check? If she was worried would she wait a whole month? While I was there she said I should get a Pap smear done so I did and said that it usually takes three weeks to get results and will discuss the results when I come in to check the lump again.

I'm not sure how to feel. I don't feel a great sense of relief like I usually would after receiving 'good' results from a dr. How would someone without hypochondria feel? How would you feel looking at my situation? Should I be worried, relieved I'm just not sure. I can't live in fear for a month or can I? Do I just continue to live life like a normal person? In my mind I'm thinking should I be planning my wedding or wait until I go back to the dr but that's stupid right? I haven't really felt like this before and just don't know what to do, am I happy or still worried...

[smmaho]

So there are hundred of stories online about cancer not showing on an ultrasound, now I'm extremely worried!

[smmaho]

And I'm in tears! I think I will go back to my original dr who understands my anxiety and get his opinion. Maybe I should get a biopsy don't I don't know why this dr didn't reccomend it

[stayyou]

So,

Yep, there's a hundreds of stories online about how cancer didn't show up on mamograms, ultrasound, etc. But there are thousands, probably millions of stories out there that go like this: "Had a breast ultrasound, doctor said it was ok, and it was." It's just that nobody posts them.

I've had struggles with this too. I have a lump in my breast which, as far as I know, has been there since puberty.  I have it checked every once in a while to make sure it's still just chillin' (its called a fibroadenoma, I believe) and I was always fine with this until I went online and started finding these same stories.  Then I started doubting everything. Why? because something I thought was certain, wasn't.   It's been a long road towards accepting that ole' lumpy is just fine, and that I need to trust my doctors and stay very, very far away from stories on the internet. Don't go searching for trouble...it will bring you no peace.   

Your doctor is just being super thorough. Sound's like they're doing a good job to make sure you're taken care of, that's all. Follow up, but don't fret. Everything sounds good.