Anxious about breast changes

I went to bed absolutely fine about 3 weeks ago and woke up about 2 hours later around 2am to what felt like fire in my left breast. I had to sit with a cold flannel on me for a while and something hasn’t been right since.

il note quickly that I was due on my period about 5 days after this first night, and normally have some breast pain before that so thought it could be to do with that. However that has now been and gone and it’s not changed. 

My left breast has always been slightly bigger than my right so I’m not concerned about size, however my nipple looks a lot darker and smaller now compared to my right one. Laying flat as opposed to inverted though. I have also been getting a very mild burning sensation at the bottom of the breast, almost on my ribs, on and off since it first started. It’s more uncomfortable than painful, and to be honest the discomfort seems to go away after a warm bath and some ibuprofen. I have prodded and felt around probably more than I’ve needed to and can’t feel any lumps/indents/puckering etc, however something just isn’t right. I stupidly googled my symptoms and it’s sent me into an absolute panic that it could be something more sinister. 

im only 20, and have been under a lot of stress lately and haven’t been sleeping properly due to work etc, so again thought it could be a hormonal change but I’m just so worried. I have been putting off getting a doctors appointment purely because I’m scared of what they will tell me, although I will be trying to book one this week as I know it’s better to get it checked even if it is nothing. 

just needed to type this out really as it’s been playing on my mind constantly and was wondering if anyone else has experienced this at all? Thank you! And sorry for a long post x 

  • Hi AWin179,

    Welcome to Cancer Chat. It's good to hear you are booking a doctor's appointment - this will be the best option to get advice and answers and also some peace of mind.

    Do try to avoid touching the area too much as this may make it sore, as well as potentially causing more worries. Likewise the Googling is rarely helpful as a lot of the information will be irrelevant.

    I hope you're able to get an appointment soon. in the meantime, hopefully you'll get some more replies here soon from other members of the forum with similar experience.

    Wishing you all the best,

    Ben
    Cancer Chat Moderator

  • So I went to the doctors today and she couldn’t feel anything, and said she wasn’t concerned as there are no skin changes etc. she said as I am so young it is most likely cyclical pain (I’ve felt it constantly for a month so I know it’s definitely not) and could be effected by the nerves in my neck when I’m laying down. 

    to be honest, this hasn’t really put my mind at rest and I feel like I was dismissed quite quickly. Should I possibly go elsewhere and get a second opinion? I don’t want to waste anyone else’s time if it’s genuinely nothing but I feel something just isn’t right :( 

  • Hi AWin179,

    A very warm welcome to our forum. 

    I am sorry to hear about your concerns and about the fact that your GP dismissed you so quickly. It would be unusual for someone of your age to have something nasty, but sadly, not impossible. We are all entitled to a second opinion. Is there another GP in your practice that you could see? You may find that because of your age, you have to push to be taken seriously - a lot of young people do.  However, you know your own body best and if you still feel that something has changed, get it checked out again - you certainly won't be wasting anyone's time by doing this.

    Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx