Pain in left breast on upper left side towards armpit

Hey all, 

Over a month ago I noticed that my breast was really sore on the left side toward my armpit. I didn't think much of it first as I have lupus so I seem to always have aches and pains. But one day I was feeling it and I noticed that there seemed to be a lot more "tissue" in that area (if that makes sense?) than on the other side. It seems to only have gotten more sore the longer I've waited for answers. I've beent to the doctor a few times and to be quite honest I am just not impressed with Ireland's healthcare (ther is a bad rep for women's healthcare here). First doctor told me that he could not feel anything in my breast unusual at all, while poking around in the very painful area and clearly seeing me in pain. He said it was probably just an inflammation of chest wall, which seemed ridiculous to me as I can feel that it does not seem like it is in my chest wall. I told him I feel lumpiness but he wouldn't listen. 

Second (female) doctor told me that she could feel no cancerous lump but that it seems to be glandular - indicating she could feel something there but not a lump necessarily. She agrees with me that it is in my breast, however, so referred me to a breast clinic which she says could take 6-8 weeks to hear back from. 

I'm really worried as it is so sore and I can very clearly feel something there. Then I was reading about Inflammatory Breast Cancer and how it doesn't usually present with a lump and spreads rapidly and is virtually incurable and now I've seriously freaked myself out and feel that I get zero answers from doctors here. 

I was told even after the breast check they will most likely just prescribe me evening primrose oil and tell me to come back if it doesn't go away - this seems insane! What if it is cancerous? Surely that is too much waiting!

I have never had soreness in my breast before in my life. I am 29 years old and surely if it was hormonal or something I would have experienced something similar by now?

I'm really worried. Any advice would help greatly!

Parents
  • Hi im seeing my gp tomorow. Dreading it. My Left Breast has massive hard lump to my left side and expands to my nipple area. So i hope my doctors dont fob me off as i will go to A/E hospital. I think you should go there and say you want a scan or exray. Or you could ring the number on this site who will help you on the time you have to wait. I really hope its not cancer for you and i will say a prayer for you and myself that everything comes back normal. Take care and keep me informed on how you go.

  • Hi can u tell me how did u get in wit this because I have the same  pain or you and haveing be to anny  doctors  please 

  • Hi, 

    My doctor referred me to the breast clinic at the hospital. I was examine and had a mammogram. Thankfully it was all fine. Always best to get it checked out and the mammogram doesn't hurt at all.

  • Hi 

     

    I had same problem last year. My left breast was swollen and the pain in my armpit/ side of breast horrendous. Got referred to the breast clinic and had ultra sound. Ends up I have fibroadeoma which is cysts in the breast which are hormonal. They can get bigger which they would then remove but as I was only 28 they said I was still too young. Mines comes and go when at the sorest. 
     

    hope this helps some people may be that this is the case? 

Reply
  • Hi 

     

    I had same problem last year. My left breast was swollen and the pain in my armpit/ side of breast horrendous. Got referred to the breast clinic and had ultra sound. Ends up I have fibroadeoma which is cysts in the breast which are hormonal. They can get bigger which they would then remove but as I was only 28 they said I was still too young. Mines comes and go when at the sorest. 
     

    hope this helps some people may be that this is the case? 

Children
  • Hi @sophsw, I have the same problem and I am the same age as you. Did your left breast feel particularly heavier and sore in one particular spot? I have got a doctors appointment next week (video with everything that is going on) but I'm really concerned.

  • Yes I was more on the outside of my left breast. It is uncomfortable to lay on that side whilst sleeping when at its sorest. Wearing a bra can rub it also. 
     

    Hopefully they help on the video chat as I imagine it would be difficult to see on this what they are looking at. My doctor examined me and felt right away how swollen and lumpy it was. 

  • Hi, I'm exactly the same but I cant feel a lump in my breast and it's about an inch bigger than my other breast, feels so heavy, I got told it was an infection but im on the 6th day of a 7 day course and still no better, if anything feels like the pain is getting worse