Teenage Daughter - Cancer: Breast Message Board

shaggy41 · 08-11-2007, 08:11 AM

Hi, I'm new at this message board thing a friend suggested I give it a try for advice and support.

Can teenager get breast cancer?

My 16 year old daughter found a lump in her breast. I took her to her gyno about a week ago, the gyno was concerned and sent her for an ultrasound, the ultrasound didn't really show anything because my daughter is so young and very dense. Within 2 days she was at a breast specialist! The breast specialist before examining my daughter stated it was not unusual for young girls to have breast lumps, usually due to hormonal changes. She then examined my daughter...the look on her face was that of surprise. She explained that my daughter had a solid mass and it needed to be removed immediately. She also explained that is was rare for young girls to have breast cancer but it can happen. She stated that we should be concerned but not alarmed. ???? I'm alarmed...

My daughter has had many medical problems overs the years...age 3 kidney disorder, age 11 hypothyroidism, many menstrual problems, heavy bleeding, extended menstrual cycles, cysts on ovaries, after her tonsils were removed she became very sick with a severe infection, age 16 she had her gallbladder removed because it was only functioning at 8%. She has been through a lot and most of it not typical until later in life. My grandmother died of breast cancer and 2 of my daughters grandparents died of cancer at a young age.

How rare is it for a young girl to have breast cancer? Has anyone know of any cases? My daughter is scheduled to have the lump removed this week...of course the waiting is killing me.

phyl41 · 08-11-2007, 02:56 PM

hi there, i can't answer your question about teenagers getting breast cancer but you have done the best thing getting medical help.I just want to wish your daughter the best of luck and i will be praying for you both. Keep positive and god forbid that it is bc ,your daughter will come through it. Keep us posted and let us know how she gets on. Will be thinking about you both
Best wishes phyl41

mm9221 · 08-11-2007, 03:26 PM

When I was 19 I found a lump in my breast. It was at a spot right above my areola. It was solid as well. My gyn sent me on to the surgeon the same day he saw me. That was scary!!! At that time, they weren't doing mammograms (would have been unusual at my age anyway). I had it removed pretty quickly.

It was a fibroadenoma. Nothing to be concerned about. The US government has quite a bit of information about cancer. I too have had relatives with breast cancer. My aunt had a mastectomy in her 30's, but is in her 70's now. Since breast cancer is rare in young women, try to stay focused on the positive. The good news is you won't have to wait too long to get things figured out.

Elaine

shaggy41 · 08-11-2007, 08:46 PM

Thank you for the well wishes...

I had a very positive conversation with my daughter today, she is not worried and said "Mom it is what it is and no matter what it is this it's all happening for a reason." She is a strong kid...always has been. She said that maybe it's all happening to her so she can help someone else through tough times some day. She is a great kid! Like my daughter said to me...hopefully it will all be good news but if it isn't we will deal with it when it happens and we will work through it...

She is right...positive thinking and a good attitude is the best way to get through any problem or worry!

Seraph · 08-12-2007, 02:05 AM

Exactly the same thing happened to my daughter at the age of 18. I can still remember the doctor's face after he had run his patronising number about panic and overreactions, when he felt the chicken-nugget sized lump in her breast. LOL. She was in surgery that afternoon and it was a fibroma.