Am I too young to have breast cancer?

Question

Am I too young to have breast cancer?
The past two generations of my family (males & females) have died from cancer. I am 25 years old, last week I found what seems tobe a lump in my breast. I'm not even sure what would be considered a "lump" medically speaking. It is on the outer part of my breast, closer to my armpit. It feels like a small pebble in the tissue, but not in my skin. It isn't painful, but I definately panicked when I found it. Could it be cancer?

Answer 1

No! Anyone can have any kind of cancer at any age.

Answer 2

I understand why this might panic you.

You are not too young to have breast cancer, although it is less common in women who are under 40 years old. It can happen to women who do have a family history and women who do not.

I am glad that you are doing self-exams. If this is something small like a pebble and it is cancer, the good news is you have probably caught it early, which improves the outcomes. If you have something in your breast that is new and persists for more than one menstrual cycle, you need to get it checked out.

As others have suggested, I definitely think you should go to your doctor. If your doctor says you are too young (which unfortunately some do) either insist on tests or go to another doctor. The best test for you would be an ultrasound which can help to characterize the lump that you have. A mammogram would NOT be the first choice for you. Younger women have more dense breasts, and mammograms are not as helpful, especially when you feel something in your breast. A breast MRI might also be helpful.

If you need more information, there is a great organization called the Young Survival Coalition.

Most breast lumps do not turn out to be cancer, but I do think you should have this checked out. I hope it is not cancer, but if it is there is support for you.

Answer 3

If any of the parents had breast cancer, then there is a potential genetic correlation for breast cancer. Other forms of cancer though are basically irrelevant to the presence of breast cancer in the child. That is, if the mother had bladder cancer, this is NOT genetically linked to breast cancer in the daughter. The current literature suggests that for some patients this genetic link exists between generations for breast cancer and this genetic linkage can be tested for.

If a patient finds any lump that they are remotely concerned about, then this needs to be followed up. The usual procedure would be examination of the breasts by a breast physician who takes the relevant history. This would be followed by an ultrasound examination possibly with a fine needle aspiration biopsy (needle size same as having blood taken). There is no scarring from this procedure, the procedure is quick and safe, and the turnaround time for a result is very fast. In Australia, most major teaching hospitals organise weekly breast clinics where all ultrasound personnel and equipment, radiologists, physicians and pathologists congregate to totally examine and obtain a conclusion for each patient in an afternoon.

Answer 4

No, you are not too young. The best thing to do would be to go to your doctor. It may just be a cyst and nothing more. Even if it is cancerous, you are very young and would have an excellent chance of beating the disease. The medications nowadays are vastly improved over what they were ten years ago, and do a wonderful job of getting rid of the cancer and preventing recurrences. I do medical transcriptions for an oncologist's office, and most of the time the people are getting better at three times your age.

Answer 5

Generally there's no real age that's too young. Given your family history you should certainly have it checked to be safe. It's not the end of the world if it turns out to be cancer as there are many treatment options available now and the earlier it's caught the better the outlook.

What you've found could be any number of things, it could be a small cyst or other such affliction. It's best to have a doctor examine it though to be sure.

Good luck!

Answer 6

Get it checked out. There isn't an age limit although the younger you are the less likely it is to be cancer - but your family history suggests you take anything like a lump seriously.

Answer 7

My sister had a lump there and it was cancer. It could be either malignant or benign, but get it checked out ASAP with a gynecologist or a breast specialist. You will probably need a biopsy to know for sure what it is. Good luck.

Answer 8

go ask your mom to take you on your scientific expert so which you would be able to experience extra advantageous. young women human beings (even at 13) can develop uncomplicated lumps stated as "cysts". Cysts are crammed with fluid and can be particularly painful at situations. in spite of if it incredibly is basically too undesirable, your scientific expert can drain the fluid. it is not that undesirable. No scientific expert might evaluate doing a mammogram on a 13 twelve months previous. Ultrasound is offered for locating at lumps which you would be able to experience. maximum cancers is rather much impossible in women human beings below 25. Very uncommon till approximately 35. loosen up. :)

Answer 9

Yes. Unfortunately woman of any age can have cancer. The best defense is early detection. This could be a non-cancerous lump, and even if it is, it could be removed without taking the whole breast. I know this sounds scary, hon, but for your own good please go see a doctor right away. I hope it's nothing.

Good luck.

Answer 10

You are never too young for breast cancer. I have a friend who is 34 and has fought breast cancer. Get it checked out immediately. You are probably fine, but cancer is best treated earlier than later.

Answer 11

Lots of things can cause lumps in your breast, most of them totally harmless, but you should get it checked out as soon as possible. If it is anything to worry about, the earlier it's dealt with the better and less chance of recurring.