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I'm terrified I have breast cancer

Posted , 3 users are following.

Irina97
Irina97

A few months ago I discovered some puffiness or a bit of an enlargement of the bottom of my right areola so that my areola looks more oval-like than the other. I think I might feel a bit of sensitivity but I'm not sure, as I have been having terrible anxiety attacks ever since and can no longer accurately judge feelings. I am unable to visit a doctor, hence the anxiety attacks, but feel that I desperately need a diagnosis. I discovered this a few weeks before my 18th birthday. Please help.

3 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • Irina97
    Irina97

    Posted

    Sorry I forgot to add, sometimes I feel my right areola looks more or less like the other, but sometimes I feel it is bigger, which I don't understand either(this might be just my view rather than an accurate account of what my body is doing though)
  • derek76
    derek76 Irina97

    Posted

    Why can you not visit a doctor?

    It is usually said that one sing of breast cancer is an inverted nipple and that is not yours. At your age it is nigh impossible.

    In a Breastcancer survey of 2,500 girls ages 8-18, nearly 30% believed they might currently have breast cancer.

    How is this possible when, in fact, the likelihood of any girl under age 18 having breast cancer is exceedingly rare? Why are so many girls mistaking the normal signs of breast development as symptoms of breast cancer? 

    The source of their fear 

    Over the past 30 years, the breast cancer awareness movement has saved many lives. But as revolutionary as the movement has been, something important has been overlooked. Few, if any, have considered the unintended fallout of surrounding young girls with constant messages about breast cancer.

    Impressionable girls seem to respond to the information with fear — they don’t have the resources to understand the meaning and relevance of these critical issues. 

    Replacing fear with facts 

    To deflate unrealistic fears, young girls living in the breast-cancer-awareness era need accurate information and reassurance.

    More than 20% of the girls we surveyed believe that breast cancer is caused by infection, tanning, drug use, stress, and breast injury or bruising. The fact is, none of these are risk factors. And, sadly, few girls surveyed knew how to reduce their risk of developing breast cancer in their lifetime.

    It is also clear that without accessible and accurate information, girls can mistake regular breast development changes (such as the formation of breast buds) as symptoms of breast cancer. 

    Bottom line: our girls lack information that can empower them to establish breast-healthy behaviors to reduce the risk of ever getting breast cancer.

    • Irina97
      Irina97 derek76

      Posted

      I'm on a very long overseas trip. I spoke to my mother about it, but she said it was probably nothing and told me that my insurance doesn't cover 'psychological' issues(the way she said this was far less horrible than the way it sounds here).

      My 17 year old cousin got diagnosed with testicular cancer December last year, which is why my mind went straight to cancer when I saw this change. I couldn't believe it, especially after hearing the only symptom he experienced was fatigue(during his end-year exam period, which could so easily have been the reason for his fatigue, along with any other mild infliction!). It, selfishly, really made me worry about my own health after finding a change like that.

      I really hope it is just anxiety.

      Thanks for quoting the article

    • derek76
      derek76 Irina97

      Posted

      Testicular cancer is much more common in young men that breast cancer is in gilrls..

      Any doctor could set your mind at rest with a brief examination no mater where you are and if in India or the Far East would cost very little. Even many out of the way locations have a local nurse.

      If you are on the Pill it can cause breast pain.GP's used to prescribe Evening Primrose Oil for breast pain but now the NHS will not pay for it.

  • teritwinb
    teritwinb Irina97

    Posted

    Hi Irena,

    First, Don't, please don't allow fear to take away your piece of mind...Derek is very right.  I would like to add, that I have been to India, got a bad infection, found a dr. (anyplace has clinics) and he treated it with medication.  It cost me $1.25us.  So please do not let money problems ever affect your peace of mind of knowing you took the proper steps in getting it checked, and it is worth getting your piece of mind back. 

    Not to minimize the importance of getting checked, but I did have at your age, hair follicle infection in one of my nipples, so it could be something very simple, and treatable.  In the future, as you stay on top of your health, without fear, you will always know what to do.  Fear will always cloud your judgement.  But, some fear is good as it does make us mindful of what can happen so we can agree with ourselves to stay in tune with our own body.  If the mind is over active, the body will become the same.  Maybe meditate and do Yoga, wherever you are, as they are very calming and strength body and mind.  Your so young...I wish I knew these things at your age!  Good luck

    • Irina97
      Irina97 teritwinb

      Posted

      If it were up to me, I would have gone to the doctor as soon as I noticed something, but it's up to my parents..

      I basically just need to remain calm for 3 weeks, and I needed someone to tell me that I'm not going to be diagnosed with my worst nightmare in order to do that

  • Irina97
    Irina97

    Posted

    Hah, isn't that great

    I might have to wait until August (when I go home)

    What do I do now?

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