Breast pain for one and a half years

Have I got breast cancer? Breast awareness, signs and symptoms
1

Hi, I hope this is the right place, looking for some advice because I have severe health anxiety (and got therapy which did help) , so I don’t trust myself and need a bit of perspective 

 

I am 25

 

December 2017 - one of my breasts had been hurting for two months, I went to hospital, the ultrasound of my right breast revealed nothing but P2 glandular thickening which just means the tissue has thickened due to hormones, they said it happens to some women my age

 

I went back in January 2018 because I was still scared and convinced myself I’d found a lump and they ultra-sounded both breasts and didn’t find any

 

I went back again a few months ago (June 2019?) because the pain has been intermittent / getting worse maybe ? and the doctor wouldn’t ultrasound me and told me it’s because I’ve been on the pill for ten years, so there’s an increase in oestrogen, I asked why the pain is mostly felt in one breast and he said because there’s not the same amount of oestrogen receptors in both breasts. There’s more in my right I guess. My left breast does hurt sometimes too but never the same amount as my right. So the explanation does make sense

 

My right breast is also intermittently itchy, but no skin discolouration, rashes, inverted nipples etc so my reasoning is - if it was IBC, surely more symptoms would have appeared by now, as that’s quite a fast acting cancer…but I could be wrong?

 

The pain generally comes and goes vaguely related to my cycle but it isn’t always. It has been quite constant recently. It might be because I keep missing pills so have to take two together which is problematic as each pill has a different amount of oestrogen so it’s not the same as a normal birth control (specific type of pill for endometriosis / older women)

 

I don’t want to be on this pill anymore because the doctor told me that because my great aunt had BC he doesn’t recommend it. I have to be on some form of birth control due to endometriosis, and want to go on the Mirena coil but am waiting for physio therapy due to penetration being too painful (other health issues). Maybe I can ask for anaesthetic?

 

I’m not sure it’s my pill because I was on it for eight years with no problems, BUT I do keep messing up the cycle 

 

I am scared to go back to my GP because I don’t want to be referred again and feel stupid. They always do the two week emergency one and maybe I should ask for the normal three month one?

 

Is it okay to be checked if you have breast pain, just in case?

Or am I being stupid and wasting NHS resources? 

2

Hi , 

 

im so glad I’ve found your post , I’ve been experiencing the same at the moment , had breast pain leading up to my last period but after the period stopped the pain never fully went away , I also have health anxiety but honestly if you feel there’s something wrong always go and get it checked , even if it’s peace of mind for you . Pain alone isn’t normally associated with breast cancer but if you feel your breasts have changed or feel different then no one would hold anything against you for getting an appointment and getting them checked even if you get to the clinic and the scans come back clear they may be able to offer more advice or possible treatment for the pain . 

 

Hope this helped its its horrible to feel alone xx 

 

 

3

Hi scaredsorry,

We’re so sorry to read that you’ve been experiencing pain in your breasts and this is giving you anxiety.

If you want to speak to one of our clinical nurses you can call them on 0808 800 6000. They are available Monday - Friday from 9am to 4pm and on Saturdays from 9am to 1pm.

Alternatively, you can post your comment in the Ask Our Nurses board, where they will reply directly to it. 

Sending you our best wishes,

Saskia

Digital Community Assistant 

4

Hey did you find everything alright with your breast ?