Hello bea_m

I'm sorry to hear that you've been dealing with a health concern recently. 

Fibroadenomas are often easier to identify in younger women. If you’re in your early 20s or younger, your fibroadenoma may be diagnosed with a breast examination and ultrasound only. 

If you'd like to talk through your concerns with one of our nurses then do give them a call. They will be able to offer some advice and support. You can call them on 0808 800 4040 (monday to Friday 9am to 5pm). 

Best wishes, 
Jenn

Cancer Chat moderator

Hi Bea, 

I am a lot older than you (47) but I had fibroadenomas (lots of them) when I was your age and the ultrasound is the most effective way of identifying them. 

I am not telling you this now to scare you  to think you might every get breast cancer, I am telling you to reassure you - I found another lump at Christmas but one that was 3.5cm and just didn't feel the same. I went for a mammogram then an ultrasound and they did a biopsy because they knew it was cancer they were looking at. Even when the first biopsy came back as normal breast tissue becuase the needle can glance off the tumour and miss it, they went in and did another so they could prove to me it was cancer. They absolutely could tell me the difference between the new fibroadenoma they found in my right breast and the cancerous mass in my left breast. 

I am having a mastectomy on Tuesday because the virus means my treatment plan has changed, but I haven't spent the last 25 years worrying about this day and you shouldn't either. It doesn't mean just because you have a fibroadenoma you will get cancer, because I only have it in one place, and it's not that my fibroadenoma has changed into cancer because it hasn't. Just make sure you check your lumps, and your breasts, check everything feels the same as it always does and check when it feels different. 

Take care xxx

Hey, 

I am in the UK and was diagnosed at 17 (6 years ago now) I'm now 23. I only had an examination and ultrasound too. I do worry from time to time as it has grown slightly but i think it could be due to our age. If they were concerned I'm sure they would have sent for a biopsy. 

Hi,

Yeah, I have heard that in younger women they don't do the biopsy as much, and the nurse who did the ultrasound did seem pretty certain as well! They told me if I felt it get bigger that I should book a gp appointment, so you could do that to put your mind at ease? But that sounds pretty normal anyway because the nurse said a third of them do get bigger over time so it's probably fine! 

Hi,

Thanks for the reassurance about the scan! 
 

This experience has really made me realise that I don't check my breasts enough, and in a way it's taught me a lesson because I didnt check my breasts regularly, and I'm never going to do that again.

Good luck with your operation and I hope you have a speedy recovery! Your so brave!

thanks for the advice 

Bea