Could i have breast cancer and what should i do?
Wednesday, February 10th, 2010 at
3:27 am
Sam asked:
Hello,
im 15 years old soon to be 16 and yesterday i found a lump in my breast. I am so scared to tell my parents and don’t really know what to do about it. Please help me.
I am on the pill which also increases my chances. This is why my doctor told me to check for lumps atleast 3 times a week.
Hello,
im 15 years old soon to be 16 and yesterday i found a lump in my breast. I am so scared to tell my parents and don’t really know what to do about it. Please help me.
I am on the pill which also increases my chances. This is why my doctor told me to check for lumps atleast 3 times a week.
Tagged with: Hello • Lump In My Breast • Lumps
Filed under: Breast Cancer
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Talk to some one close to you about this, an aunt, teacher if you can bring yourself to then talk to your mum, she will understand your worry, do not be frightened to talk to her about this, she has the same body as you. make sure to get your self an app at the doctors and get this checked out, its natural for everyone to think the worst of something but as you are still growing it could turn out to be many different things, a cyst for example. hope this has helped! x
tell your mum just bring it up in light conversation, then go for it checking out. it could be nothing im around your age i sometimes feel lumps in my breasts but i got it checked out and its nothing. go and get it checked.
At that age, it is BEYOND rare to have breast cancer.
Really until you get over 25-30, its hardly even worth worrying about. And even at those ages its is still very rare.
Don’t stress yourself out over it so badly. Since you’re 15 i really doubt its breast cancer, but there is still a possibility that it is. It’s actually a good sign if the lump hurts. If it doesn’t hurt at all then you should probably tell your mother about it since it’s very important to catch breast cancer in it’s early stages before it’s too late. She can take you to go get a mammogram done to check for breast cancer if she feels it is necessary. I hope everything works out ok.
The chances of breast cancer at 15 are as close to zero as makes almost no difference. If a 15 year old had breast cancer, her case would make news headlines and be written up in medical journals the world over.
Breast cancer is almost unheard of in under 25s, let alone teens; fewer than 0.1% of all those diagnosed with it are under 30, only 5% are under 40 and most (80%) are over 50. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer I was classed as a ‘younger woman’; I was 50.
Most breast lumps, even in women over 50, aren’t cancer. At your age, with your breasts still growing and developing, any changes you notice in them are almost certainly normal hormonal development.
There’s no need at your age to be checking for lumps in your breasts; it will tell you nothing, and may worry you unnecessarily.
The American Cancer Society and other cancer organisations recommend that women begin breast self-exams at no younger than 20, if then. Before that it’s pointless firstly because there are so many hormonal changes that there is no ‘normal’ – and self examination is about a woman knowing what’s normal for her and reporting any changes. And secondly because the chance of breast cancer is almost nil.
Talk to your mother about this; if you really don’t feel comfortable doing that, talk to your school nurse – she will be used to girls having worries like this and will take you seriously, and will be able to reassure you
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Edit. I am astonished that your doctor would tell you that.
For one thing, the most that reputable breast cancer organisations will say is that it is thought possible (though not proven) that the pill slightly increases the risk of breast cancer while you are taking it, but the risk returns to norml once you stop taking it.
And even older women, for whom breast self-examination is advised, are only recommended to do it once a month.
Remember that your doctor is a general practitioner, not a cancer specialist. Take the advice of all the reputable breast cancer organisations and stop the breast checks – you will worry yourself sick for no reason.
And, on the pill or not, your chances of breast cancer at 15 are still just about zero.
Breast Cancer Care ( ) says:
”A small number of studies have suggested that taking the oral contraceptive pill for a long time may slightly increase the risk of developing breast cancer later in life. However, after stopping taking the pill the risk goes back to normal after 10 years.
Recently a large study showed there was no increased risk of developing breast cancer because of taking the pill.
Breast cancer is rare in younger women, for whom taking the pill is still an effective way of preventing pregnancy. The majority of women who take it will not develop breast cancer.”
A big problem with breast cancer screening is numerous false positives, though this is mainly mammograms.
I recommend you relax, and listen to Lo_mcg’s experienced and sound advice.
Teenagers and young women have very fibrous breast tissue. It’s not uncommon to find lumps and bumps. Almost all are benign and are due to normal changes in the breast tissue, usually as a result of hormonal changes, a harmless cyst or even fibroadenoma. If the lump is still there after a week then see your GP. Ideally all lumps and bumps should be evaluated.
The chances of this being cancerous at your age are very remote, as Lo_mcg stated.
Your GP is quite incorrect to tell you to examine your breasts three times a week and check for lumps. There is no medical indication to do this at all.
The combined Pill may slightly increase the risk of some cancers, but it also protects against some cancers too. The actual research regarding the breast cancer risk of those taking the OCP is very conflicting, some studies suggest there is no link at all. IF there is any increased risk/link it is a very small one and there is certainly no need for you to check your breasts three times a week. All women should periodically check their breast but there is no need to become obsessive about it.
OK first your GPs advice is odd to the point of perverse, the standard advice is to check your breasts once a month, at the same time each month, ideally around mid-cycle.
At 15 your chances of having breast cancer are minuscule. However I have to advise that all breast lumps do need to be medically checked.
Breast Cancer: Better Be Aware!
With the rise in breast cancer and breast cancer awareness, women of all ages should know how to give themselves breast exams at home to check for lumps and anything else that might seem unusual. Women over 35 should do this on a regular basis, but this does not mean that younger women do not need to know how as well. Breast exams should be given about one week after your period and when your breasts are not sore, tender or swollen.
* Stand in front of a mirror and look at each breast separately. Note the size, shape, color, curve and direction of your breasts and nipples. Look if there are any changes in size, change in the texture of the skin.
* Raise your arms over your head and look if there is any kind of swelling around the breast.
* Lean forward and examine each breast for change in outline.
* Change your hand and repeat the same procedure on the other breast.
Early detection tests for breast cancer can save thousands of lives and many more could be saved if they don’t ignore the awareness about it. To read more ways than see
Some lumps are nothing to be worried about. Make an appointment with your doctor. There’s no need to worry about this yet. The check is just a precaution.
You might consider avoiding milk and beef because these food products are loaded with hormones. If you are on the pill to regulate your periods, I’d strongly suggest that you try a whole foods pure vegetarian diet instead and quit the pill.
For birth control (if that’s applicable now or in the future), I would recommend seeking expert advise about non-hormonal approaches.