Is it possible that I have breast cancer?
Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at
12:49 pm
porcelaindoll asked:
I’m 14 and last night I felt a lump on my breast, a bit under the nipple. It hurts a lot, even when I don’t touch it. I’m really scared and I think it might be a breast cancer. I know the chances are slim, but still… my grandma also had breast cancer and I heard it can run in the family. I’m thinking of going to see a doctor tomorrow about it. What do you think?
I’m 14 and last night I felt a lump on my breast, a bit under the nipple. It hurts a lot, even when I don’t touch it. I’m really scared and I think it might be a breast cancer. I know the chances are slim, but still… my grandma also had breast cancer and I heard it can run in the family. I’m thinking of going to see a doctor tomorrow about it. What do you think?
Filed under: Breast Cancer
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I don’t think it’s very common for girls your age to get breast cancer. I think (and I HOPE!!!) that it’s something far less severe than cancer. But in the future, you might wanna keep a look out. Breast cancer doesn’t really “run in the family”, but if someone in your family has had it, you are at a higher risk of getting it too because it means that you are genetically more likely to get breast cancer.
The chances of breast cancer at 14 are very close to zero.
It’s almost unheard of in under 20s, and in fact fewer than 0.1% of all those diagnosed with it are under 30 and only 5% are under 40. Most (80%) are over 50.
When I was diagnosed with breast cancer I was classed as ‘young’; I was 50.
The American Cancer Society and other cancer organisations recommend that women begin breast self examination at the age of 20. 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.
Most breast lumps, even in women over 50, aren’t cancerous; and most cancerous breast lumps don’t hurt – the majority of people diagnosed with breast cancer have felt no pain.
At your age your breasts are still growing and developing and what you describe is almost certainly hormonal.
Breast cancer that ‘runs in the family’ is very rare – only 5 – 10% of breast cancer cases are hereditary.
If your grandma is the only person in your family to have had breast cancer, it does not increase your risk. Where cancer is hereditary, several members of the family will have had the same type of cancer. And if she was over 50 at diagnosis, the chances of it being hereditary are even smaller.
Talk to your mother about this; if you’re not comfortable doing that, talk to your school nurse if your school hasn’t closed fro the summer; she will be used to girls having worries like this and will be able to reassure you
You are probably to young but just check online for common symptoms of breast cancer and see a doctor to put your mind at ease.
Look at some facts.
More than 80% of lumps in the breast are NOT cancer.
Less than 10% of breast cancers are genetically linked.
The risk of breast cancer in a woman under 20 is minute.
Breast cancer is rarely painful.
Hormonal breast lumps and changes are common in teenagers.
Hormonal breast lumps and changes are usually tender and frequently painful.
This is highly likely to be breast cancer, it is probably normal, hormonal breast development.
Talk to your mother or school nurse and if needed, see your Dr to set your mind at rest.
i would not worry too much, but its all ways better to be safe. so go get yourself checked out. it is true that if any of the immediate family members have ever had cancer, you are at more risk for getting cancer. many people say that cancer does not hurt but for me my breast was very sore and if bumped it really hurt. so take care and have yourself checked out. good luck and i hope that everything will be ok. god bless