Do i have brest cancer?

[stephyj]

Im only 20 years old but do have a history of brest cancer, so im am worried, About 6 weeks ago i woke up wih a very sore, tender armpit, it was so painful it hurt to lift my arm. I had it for a day or so then it went so i thought nothing more of it then the next day my other armpit hurt just like the other one did the day before.  For about a week they were taking it in turns, then it stoped for a week now my right one is hurting again, my right armpit hurts more often than the left. Its a really horrible naggind pain, Also i have noticed a little lump about the size of a pea under the armpit. should i be worried?

[stephyj]

Thanks for all your advice. The family history is my Aunt and granmother. my mum has systs but thankfully not cancer. its stoped hurting for the moment so will see how i get on thanksx stephj

[zouzi]

Hi,
The pain in both your armpits is not indicative of breast cancer.
There are many reason why a person experiences pain in the armpit.
The formation of cyst or hormonal changes in the body may result in pain in both your breasts and armpits.
There are also muscles present in the upper arm. Pulling or overstretching of one of them may cause the pain to radiate down to the armpit.Try to remember if 6 weeks ago you started a new exercise,lifted or pulled something heavy that could have caused the stretching of a muscle or ligament.
The small pea size lump in your armpit could be an infected hair follicles,or a swollen lymph node that could indicate an inflammation or infection somewhere in the body.
Anyway,since the pain keeps coming back,my best advise to you, is to have this problem and the lump checked out by a physician who might want to investigate this further so you can find out for sure what is causing your discomfort.
Best wishes...

[bluebutterfly2222]

Hi,

You stated that you have a history of breast cancer. Did you mean you personally, or just a family history, as jellokelli took it to mean?

bluebutterfly

[jellokelli]

It is highly unlikely since you are 20 years old but you must be an advocate for yourself and get it checked out. It is more likely that you are just having some pain in your armpit and breast area from fluctuating hormones from monthly cycles. It is very common for women to get pain in this area one week before, during, and sometimes even a week after their periods because of the extreme changes in homromes. Sometimes, a hormonal balance can be made by taking birth control pills.

The lump definately needs to be checked out. Go to your general dr. explain your family history and your worries. It could be just a benign cyst but it does need to be checked. If the dr. feels there needs to be more tests he will send you for a mammogram. It is not too early for these esp. since you have family history. (ex. I started mammograms when I turned 20 years old because of an extreme family history of breast cancer- every woman over the ageof 30 in my family- mom, aunts, grandmas- have had breast cancer.)

Try not to worry yet, but do advocate for yourself and get that appt. with your dr. so you can be at ease. Good luck to you!