lump under arm?

[Wanda]

Hi all. My mom passed away a few months ago from breast cancer. I am 33 years old and this morning I noticed what feels like a lump under my arm. I don't feel anything at all on the breast. I am very scared. Could this be a breast cancer?

[Wanda]

Hi all. My mom passed away a few months ago from breast cancer. I am 33 years old and this morning I noticed what feels like a lump under my arm. I don't feel anything at all on the breast. I am very scared. Could this be a breast cancer?

[Kathie in New Jersey]

A lump under the arm could be anything. An upper respitory infection could cause a lymph node to be enlarged. However, if you were my daughter I would say get to the Doctor. If you are not convinced on what he/she says get a second opinion. I had enlarged lymph nodes that were ignored and when finally dx'd I was stage IV, all my mamograms came back perfectly normal and still do. Good luck and I hope its nothing to worry about
Kathie

[Marilyn in Hawaii]

Please go to the doctor immediately and if the lump doesn't shrink with strong antibiotics in a week see a breast specialist or surgeon and INSIST on a biopsy of the breast and lump. This is an office procedure and doesn't hurt much at all. Unfortunately, a lump under the arm is one of the presentations of inflammatory breast cancer and while it probably is an infection of some sort, in the unlikely event it's ibc, early diagnosis is critical.

[Marilyn in Hawaii]

Wanda, see my message above on this subject. I don't want to scare anyone, but ibc is a very nasty form of breast cancer and early treatment is the best course. Hope both of you are well, and have nothing to worry about. Marilyn

[Lolly]

I agree that a biopsy is the next logical course if antibiotics don't clear up the lump. A biopsy is the most definitive test, and with your mom having had cancer, it is important that the doctors get to the bottom of this for your peace of mind. Pleas keep us posted, we will be hoping to hear that "all's clear".
Love, Lolly

[celina]

So sorry to hear about your mother. Please keep us posted.

[Kristen]

Yes, My cousin always jokes, that she didn't have BC she had arm pit cancer. That is where she found hers. I hope it is nothing but these ladies know what they are talking about. Get it checked. So sorry to hear about your mother. God Bless. K

[Rozebud]

I agree it could be anything. However, I was 33 at dx, and it was the lump under my arm that made me ask my OB/GYN what was up. The cancer in my lymph node was almost 4 cm across - twice as big as what was in my breast. Please get it checked out. Cancer in young women is particularly aggressive. I hope and pray it is nothing. Please keep us posted.

[KathySC]

Wanda,
I am so very sorry about your loss. I am wondering if she had HER2 and if she ever posted on this board? I have been a part of this group for only a few months but wonder if others would know her.

What I am adding to this question is about doing something prior to the biopsy. A few alternate ideas are out there if you would like to discuss them... just drop me an email. Just to clarify, I am not advocating not seeing the doctor. The lump should definately be tested.

Again, sorry for your loss and let us know how things turn out.
Kathy