Cancer Research UK main site
  • Replies 9 replies
  • Views 3188 views
  • Users 0 members are here

Breast Cancer Symptoms?!

FR
Offline

Hello, 

I’m petrified that I might have breast cancer. Every day and night I get chest pain in my left breast, it is continuous. Right where the left breast starts (where you get that line between your armpit and right on the edge of the actual breast itself). I’ve been experiencing a lot of pain in this area. I am 24, my mum has been diagnosed with BC and runs in the family. I have had this pain for months now, it travels down my arm sometimes, down my back, neck etc. I always have to hold the edge of my left breast because the pain is so so sore. My breast is lumpy. I only get pain in my left side. I have found a pea sized lump and also a big lump deep in the same breast too, again on the edge of my actual breast. I’m always crying because I think I have BC. It hurts when I press it and when I don’t.  I’ve been refered to the breast clinic 2 days ago by the walk in centre (not GP) but I don’t know how long it will take for me to finally get this letter to say I can go for a scan. I have to put my left arm above my head too sometimes to try and handle the pain. Im always in agony. I’m scared because I have lumps. Any advice please? I’m worried sick. I know it has to be something serious, when my family feel the lump they are worried too. What can this be? 

Parents
  • Offline

    Hi there FR,
     

    Welcome to the forum, but sorry you find yourself on here due to the worry.

    I guess there are a few things that might help put your mind at ease a little.  The first is that pain makes it more likely to be some other type of breast condition, usually with breast cancer people don't have pain.  Obviously some cases of breast cancer have pain but statistically pain can be considered a good sign.  Another is that a referral to the breast clinic isn't just about cancer, there are lots of non-life-threatening conditions of the breast that would still require a referral to the breast clinic.  For me, at your age, it was fibroadenoma, another time it was an infection.  At your age especially there are many conditions caused simply by the fact that your breasts are still changing so much.  And although it's easy to worry about a family history, even with a strong family history tests usually find no known genetic link.  So try not to think of what is happening to you in terms of other people's experience as it is unlikely their situation affects yours in any way.  It is also the case that treatment and tests have come on leaps and bounds and continue to do so, so even if you had your worst fears confirmed your situation would be different to that which family members have previously experienced.

    Most women have lumps at some time in their life and lumps are especially common in younger women as the breasts change.  As you'll know the vast majority of lumps turn out to be nothing to worry about.  So please try to distract yourself and not let the worry get to you too much.  Your appointment will come around quickly enough and hopefully they can put your mind at ease.

    Let us know how you get on?

    LJx

Reply
  • Offline

    Hi there FR,
     

    Welcome to the forum, but sorry you find yourself on here due to the worry.

    I guess there are a few things that might help put your mind at ease a little.  The first is that pain makes it more likely to be some other type of breast condition, usually with breast cancer people don't have pain.  Obviously some cases of breast cancer have pain but statistically pain can be considered a good sign.  Another is that a referral to the breast clinic isn't just about cancer, there are lots of non-life-threatening conditions of the breast that would still require a referral to the breast clinic.  For me, at your age, it was fibroadenoma, another time it was an infection.  At your age especially there are many conditions caused simply by the fact that your breasts are still changing so much.  And although it's easy to worry about a family history, even with a strong family history tests usually find no known genetic link.  So try not to think of what is happening to you in terms of other people's experience as it is unlikely their situation affects yours in any way.  It is also the case that treatment and tests have come on leaps and bounds and continue to do so, so even if you had your worst fears confirmed your situation would be different to that which family members have previously experienced.

    Most women have lumps at some time in their life and lumps are especially common in younger women as the breasts change.  As you'll know the vast majority of lumps turn out to be nothing to worry about.  So please try to distract yourself and not let the worry get to you too much.  Your appointment will come around quickly enough and hopefully they can put your mind at ease.

    Let us know how you get on?

    LJx

Children
No Data

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.