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,

     

    I was wondering how you got on with your results, I'm 24 and experiencing the exact same thing. My pain started a week ago and I phoned my GP on Friday and they've referred me to a breast clinic to have further test done due to one of my Aunty's have breast cancer previously. Any information would greatly calm me as you can imagine I'm climbing the walls right now with worry. 
     

    All the best x

Reply
  • Hi,

     

    I was wondering how you got on with your results, I'm 24 and experiencing the exact same thing. My pain started a week ago and I phoned my GP on Friday and they've referred me to a breast clinic to have further test done due to one of my Aunty's have breast cancer previously. Any information would greatly calm me as you can imagine I'm climbing the walls right now with worry. 
     

    All the best x

Children
  • Hi everyone

    so glad ive found this thread  I'm having left side breast pain, rib pain in my back and if I poke into my armpit it's sensitive. There are no lumps or bumps but really uncomfortable. Hed a telephone call with the docs, had blood tests - Vit D deficient was only result - but pain and discomfort still there.  I'll go back to them and ask to be referred to breast clinic to make sure.  I'm 41, don't smoke, probably drink too much so have knocked that on the head mostly. Your stories have been great to read. Thank you so much.  Wish me luck! 

     

  • Hi all

    just thought I'd update here - I had my breast clinic appointment today.  Mammograms and ultrasounds  showed nothing but hormonal swelling. Consultant said areas that are hurting are consistent with radiating/travelling breast pain. 
     

    id been petrified all week. To the point of crying. I'm so glad I didn't put it off. 
     

    s

  • Hi there!

    Back in October of 2020 I was getting constant sharp pains all across my left breast. I left it go for a week to see would it go away and it didn't. The following week I went to my doctor and he thought it was a muscular injury so he put me on painkillers for two weeks and it still didn't go away. I then started getting burning pains all down my left arm and began to feel a lump but I'm unsure weather it's a swollen gland or something more serious. I was so scared! I went back after the two weeks and he said he'd refer me to the breast clinic and that I'd be seen within the month. By December I heard nothing so decided to ring the breast clinic to see what the story was. When I rang the lady on the phone told me that there was no referral there. I was so upset! The covid cases got bad here in Ireland again so the hospitals then were only seeing urgent cases so I knew it would be ages before I was seen. Finally got an appointment for late March but it's been a long 5 months of pain! Really can't wait to be seen as it's going on so long! 

  • Hi all

    ive had constant left breast pain for 5 months now. Only recently went to the doctor regarding it and was refered to the breast clinic, however due to massive backlog because of covid they are only seeing women with a lump or high probability of breast cancer.


    the pain has worked its way around my breast over the past few months and is now mainly at the bottom above my ribs however I do get pain at the middle in the middle 

    it's very worrying

  • Hi there!

     

    Im so sorry to hear you're going through this. I understand completely how worrying this is! I've heard that it's faster to be seen private but unfortunately that comes at a cost. My doctor recommended evening primrose oil for me. It's supposed to be good for breast pain! My appointment is in just under two weeks time after 5 months waiting! It's crazy how long people are waiting! If you haven't tried the evening primrose oil I'd recommend trying that and also a well supported bra like a sports bra I found helped a little! I hope you get an appointment soon! 
     

    x