Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 3/13/2007

Question
Hi I am 28 years old and I have lumps in both breast. I do not have a family history of breast cancer. My NP said she believed they were enlarged lymph nodes, but if they did not go away within 2 weeks to return. I gave it a month and when I returned the next Dr. I seen told me the same thing, about being a enlarged lymph node, at the time of both visits it was only one, but now there is several in one breast, and atleast one in the other. I go to a free clinic due to no insurance and limited resources, and you usually see a different Dr. or NP each time you go in. They hurt really bad and sometimes it sends pain down into my arm, it is really starting to concern me. The last Dr. told me not to worry, that it wasn't breast cancer, he told me this based on just feeling the spot I told him the lump was at, he actually acted like he was afraid to touch me lol. It's really starting to concern me, and it is becoming very painful. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Answer
Without an examination I can not be sure but what you describe is probably a condition called breast fibroadenomatosis, which is very common in young females your age. If so this is 1. NOT breast cancer, 2. NOT lymph nodes either. The problem however is that among these troublesome but not dangerous lumps there may develop a real breast cancer (but NOT from or due to them) which so to speak may be hidden by them. To find such a development you NEED to go to a REAL breast examination regularly including mammography, breast MRI scans, ultrasound scans and needle biopsies of any found lesions. However how you are going to solve this situation financially in your situation I do not know.