Lump in breast.?

Question

I DON'T HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE SO SEEING A DOCTOR WILL BE NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO AFFORD.

I'm 20 and noticed a lump in my right breast. Both have been extremely sore for about a month now so as I was massaging them, I noticed that lump. It's pretty small, pretty hard, and doesn't move around really. I've read that lumps appear around the time of menstration (which I should be starting in a few days). I've also read that lumps appear during pregnancy, and there IS a possibility of me being pregnant, though I noticed some VERY light spotting today which could indicate a period OR implantation blood. I can't quite remember what the lump felt like a few days ago when I discovered it, but it may have changed shape. I kind of remember it being bigger than what I'm feeling today. The lump itself doesn't hurt, but BOTH of my breasts hurt terribly, which was the first sign of my pregnancy the first time.

There are so many lumps and weird things in every woman's breast that I'm just not sure what I should be looking for. Every website has told me something different. And like I said, I don't have health insurance and can't afford to go to doctors at the drop of a hat, though I would LOVE to right now.

There is also absolutely no cancer history in my family or extended family.

Answer 1

I know you are looking for an answer on here and I know you are really concerned. Go to a state hospital to the energency room and they will refer you to a low cost-no cost place that can take a look at you and give you a mammogram. There is treatment is something is wrong. Please go and get it checked out. It could be nothing, but t should be checked.

Good luck.

Answer 2

It's quite possible that what you have is mastitis but only a medic will be able to tell you if your lump is benign or malignant. Most breast lumps are non-cancerous.
Check under your armpits - do you have any new lumps there?
I think that you will just have to find some cash to visit a doctor - if you are pregnant, then your baby could be without a mother if you ignore a malignant tumour. The knock-on effects aren't very exciting either as cancer cells can spread from the breast to all parts of your body.

Answer 3

Eight out of 10 lumps that women may feel in their breasts are benign (not cancerous). A benign lump can be a collection of normal or hyperactive breast gland cells, or it may be a water-filled sac (cyst).

In any event, if you feel a lump and you're worried about it, DON'T HESITATE TO SEE A DOCTOR. By getting a doctor to check the lump you'll ease your fears. And if it's something serious, you can start getting treatment right away.

One way to make lumps less frightening is to get to know what your breasts normally feel like. There's no better way to find out than by doing your monthly breast self-exam. The upper, outer area—near your armpit—tends to have the most prominent lumps and bumps. The lower half of your breast can feel like a sandy or pebbly beach. The area under the nipple can feel like a collection of large grains. Another part might feel like a lumpy bowl of oatmeal.

If you notice any changes in your breasts that last over a full month's cycle or that seem to get worse or more obvious over time, tell your doctor. Knowing how your breasts usually look and feel may also help you avoid needless biopsies.

If you're worried about getting breast cancer, read about breast cancer risk factors to find out what your risk is.

Answer 4

From what I understand you can't be turned down for health care because of the inability to pay. At least that is how it is where I live. Doctors are allowed so many write-off cases a year for uninsured patients. That said. You need to see a doctor NOW!!! I cannot stress this enough. My mom-in-law had breast cancer and was cured. She lived 20 years and then got bone cancer. She died in 2 years from bone cancer. A friend of mine told me she had a lump in her breast, I told her to go to the doctor and told her the story of my mom-in-law. It was Nov. and she wanted to wait until after the holidays. I begged her to go now and not wait. She wouldn't. After the holidays (in Jan.) she went to the doctor, it was too late. The cancer was fast growing and had spread. They removed her breast but within a year it was in her lung. She passed away within 2 years of finding the lump in her breast. I miss her. If only she had listened and not been so stubborn. She wanted the holidays to be good, now there are no holidays for her. What a shame when it could have maybe been prevented. One thing I will tell you but don't take this to the bank that you don't have cancer (there was no cancer in my friends family either) but in both cases of breast cancer my mom-in-law- and my friend both told me their nipples turned in and the breast was so sore it hurt to touch it. If you have any of these symptoms PLEASE go get checked. Call till you find a doctor you can make payments to or find a free clinic or just go to the hopital or call the hospital and find out where you can go without insurance. Like I told you, they can't deny you treatment because of the inability to pay. Good Luck.

Answer 5

I was 24 the first time I noticed a lump in my breast, my mother had died of breast cancer 2 years before that and I was panicing. It turned out to be a fiberoid which swells and shrinks throughout my cycle.

That being said, you described a hard lump that doesn't move around and that worries me.

Take a pregnancy test, then make an appointment with your doctor immediately and make sure you let him/her know about the lump so they can check it out. I don't want to scare you about the lump, but please, please move on this fast. It could be nothing, but if in the off chance it is something, you will be ahead of things.

re: your add on about no history of cancer: there was no history of cancer in my family before my mother was diagnosed.
emphasis: hard lumps in the breast that do not move around should be checked immediately regardless of your age and family history with cancer.

Answer 6

Cysts. Fun, huh? My doctor told me that I am a "lumpy lady." Not a very flattering title, but accurate when it comes to the anatomy of my breasts. I have small cysts pretty much all the time, but they get bigger and more painful when I am about to start my period. Oh, and it has very little to do with breast cancer.

So, my doctor told me to do my self breast exams as normal but with one specific alteration. I have a picture of a pair of boobs and every month when I do my exam, I make dots where I have my cysts. That way, I can map where they are and stuff. If I have one that is very hard, doesn't shrink or move for three months or keeps getting bigger, then I need to go in and get checked out.

As for you not having medical insurance, neither do I. There are plenty of free clinics for you to go to. www.plannedparenthood.org is a good place to start.

Answer 7

I had one when I was 13, and it went away on it's own, however, it is true that women will get lumpy during their menses or pregnancy. when do we get a break? take a pregnancy test to rule out pregnancy, but you'll need to go to the dr eventually if you still feel the lump. is there a teaching hospital in your city? usually, there will be a ob/gyn clinic, or reproductive health clininc that will charge you according to your pay scale. i was able to afford birth control this way. so try that. there is no way to really know unless you go to a Dr. And if you think you're pregnant, you should really find out now for the sake of your baby.

Answer 8

other than the "you need to go to a doctor speel", heres a real answer...since you say it is possible to be occuring from menstruation or pregnancy, you will have to do your own research and find out if that is a natural occurence...if from menstruation, wait til after you period to see if there is any changes. if pregnant or possibility, confirm the possibilities and wait it out til you start seeing a OB/GYN for baby exams and bring up the subject. Otherwise, be sure to keep note of size, shapes, numbers and locations of any lumps and keep track of it. If your not pregnant or it doesnt go away after menstruation then you really have no option but to go and get screened to see if it could possibly be cancerous.

Answer 9

Your health comes first. It may be nothing so get it checked out. My wife did and she was diagnosed with very early stages of the Big C. She's ok now, they caught it in time. Mostly there is nothing to worry about. You should be checking regularly and then see a doctor if you're not sure.

Answer 10

If it were me, I would find a way to see a doctor. Cancer is deadly and if its caught in time in can be cured. There are ways to get help on paying for the doctor and treatment. Better safe that sorry. Don't wait. It could cost you your life. And age is not a factor, Cancer does not discriminate.