Breast Cancer/breast pain ouch

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Expert: - 7/1/2007


Question
hello there. i am 18 years old and a size 40 DD. i have constant breast tenderness and pain. i thought my breasts were abnormally lumpy so i saw my gynecologist who happens to be excellent. i was scared about breast cancer. he felt my pain was due to hormonal changes. do teenage girls get breast cancer or is it not really a concern for my age group? does having bigger breasts increase my risk of breast cancer? do you think my breast pain is worrisome at such a young age?

Answer
An 18 years old girl with breast cancer would be an EXTREME rarity, so rare that it is more or less unheard of. Large breasts do not increase any risk for breast cancer per se BUT may make it more difficult to find any such tumor. I agree with your gynecologist that your problems are most probably associated with hormonal effects which is actually quite common among young women. Of course your symptoms must be a nuisance for you but they are not dangerous!

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Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D.

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I`m a doctor of medicine and a specialist in radiation therapy and medical oncology. I have long experience in diagnostics and treatment of breast tumours.

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I'm a Doctor of Medicine and specialist in Medical Oncology and Radiation Therapy educated & trained in Sweden. Now retired. Background in Radiation Therapy, Medical Oncology, Radiation Protection, Nuclear Medicine, Diagnostic Radiology, Gynecological Oncology, Clinical Pathology, Clinical Cytology,Hematology and Internal Medicine. M.D. from the faculty of medicine, Royal Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. Have also been an exchange student at the Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem Israel. Former medical consultant, Swedish National Board of Radiation Protection. Former Police Surgeon and Medical Examiner, Stockholm Police Department. Former Chief Medical Officer, The Royal Guards, The Royal Horse Guards and the Royal Household Brigade, Royal Swedish Army Medical Corps.You can also reach me on: http://www.lifestylerescue.com/expert/health-fitness-advice/dr-claes-gustaf/128 I have no restrictions on the number of questions there.

I also answer questions about Oncology (General Cancer), General History, Military History, Brain Tumors, Colon Cancer

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I'm a medical doctor and specialist in medical oncology and radiation therapy.

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