I have like a ball behind my nipple, that scares me. but I remember a few years ago I had it on the other side now its gone and now i have it on my left side. Im am only 18, can I have breast cancer?
2007-09-03 07:12:38 · 13 answers · asked by Curly 3 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Cancer
Lump in the breast is common at around 80-85
% of woman in the menstrual age.
There are two types of mass or lump: benign (never cancerous) or malignant(cancer and have the potential to spread)
Benign lumps are usually; but not all of the cases; painful or tender, transfers from one location to another or on and off, the borders of the mass are well-defined, movable when you feel it.
Cancer or malignancies are usually; but not all; non-painful, it is fixed on that location, it is always there and enlarges, the borders are ill-defined, it is not movable or ballotable.
All breast masses tend to enlarge on size and become tender and so painful a week before your menstrual flow until a week after it because of the changes in the hormonal status of the woman's body.
The probability that a certain individual is having a cancer depends on the occurence of the risk factors inherent to that person. These are
1. family history- any relative who died of breast cancer? Any relative who underwent a total removal of the whole breast because by biopsy, it was found out to be malignant?
The closer your blood relationship to the deceased, the higher is the probability.
2. older age- because being still young is not a risk factor
3. use of contraceptive pills in the past because it can alter your hormonal system
4. the character of the mass may denote as well. Is the mass ulcerates in the skin? Check your armpit, do you feel masses on it that also grow fast?
Basically, at your age and being a surgeon myself, I don't qualify it as one.
But the best procedure to determine and rule out cancer in ones mind is to perform a biopsy of any lump most especially those with the above risk factors.
I don't usually advice a mammogram because you don't qualify for the requirements of a mammography. And one thing more, the results of all mammogram will only tell us surgeons that there is a possibility or there is no possibility that a certain mass can be a cancer. A surgeon cannot operate because of that idea. I don't want to loose my license though. However, if there is a concrete evidence that it is a cancer, I will definitely do without any hesitation. And that result can only be found on a biopsy. And I repeat, please consider the risk factors first.
You can e-mail me at jhundevilla@yahoo.com
2007-09-03 08:22:30 · answer #1 · answered by jhundevilla 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A lump in the breast is the usual thing ,But a small lump is normal behind the nipple,And a woman can get breast cancer at any age ,So get a mammogram done to find out it is better to be safe than sorry
2007-09-03 08:12:55 · answer #2 · answered by kevinmccleanblack 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should go get a breast exam by a doctor just to make sure.
Early symptoms of breast cancer include sudden appearance of lumps, pain and swelling of breasts, discharge from the nipples etc. Symptoms should be looked into and early treatment sought for successful recovery.
You can read more about symptoms of cancer here
http://www.healthandwellnesscentral.com/Article/Early-Symptoms-Of-Cancer/21219
2007-09-03 15:27:28 · answer #3 · answered by mindalchemy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes there is a lump, sometimes dimpleing or orange peel skin on the outside. Only a mammogram can confirm or rule out breast cancer. Make an appointment with a doctor, chances are that they can rule out or confirm concerns.
2007-09-03 07:26:50 · answer #4 · answered by jodie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Firstly, there is more than one type of cancer that is commonly found in the breast.
These different cancers attack different parts of the breast tissue in different ways, so there is no single correct answer to your question.
At your age, this is unlikely to be breast cancer, but if it is, the sooner you get it diagnosed and treated, the more chance you have of seeing your grandchildren!
Go to your Dr and get it checked.
9 out 10 breast lumps are not cancer.
It is better to be safe than sorry on this one!
2007-09-03 14:23:56 · answer #5 · answered by Tarkarri 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, 18 year olds can get breast cancer. However, you should make an appointment to see an OB/Gyn (or go to your local health department) and they will advise you.
2007-09-03 08:58:47 · answer #6 · answered by Pamela V 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
80% of breast lumps turn out to be nothing.
You still need to get it checked out though, it's not worth risking. It is possible to have breast cancer very young.
2007-09-05 10:37:23 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its very important that you go to the doctors and have it checked out just in case. It could just be a cist but you still want to have a doctor do some test.
2007-09-03 07:18:40 · answer #8 · answered by jamiemarie20032003 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you really need to have that checked...i have breast cancer but you can*t feel the lump..you can only see it on ultrasound....
2007-09-03 14:45:46 · answer #9 · answered by Barbie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a mammogram ASAP. It's the only way to know for certain.
2007-09-03 07:20:08 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋