Armpit

Bernice · 04-09-2007, 06:32 PM

I'm 43 years old and have a lump under my armpit. I'm going to the doctor's tomorrow. I have a mammogram every year. I'm due for my yearly mammogram in May. Breast cancer does not run in my family. I've checked my breast and didn't find any lumps. I'm nervous. Is it possible to get breast cancer without finding a lump in the breast but only in the armpit? I read that a lump can be from an infection such as a scratch. Can you get a lump from shaving your armpit? I never had any problems before. But then again I had my first abnormal pap (which turned out to be OK), now this. I'm really nervous. Any information will be appreciated.

Thank You,

Bernice

Xant · 04-09-2007, 07:05 PM

You have lymph nodes under your armpit, so any infection in that area will cause them to swell.

Its good that you are getting it checked out though

Bernice · 04-09-2007, 07:09 PM

Thank you for your reply. Is that a serious thing?

Bernice

Bernice · 04-11-2007, 06:25 PM

I went to my doctor. She thinks it's a swollen lymph node. She doesn't think it's anything to worry about. She checked my breasts and didn't find anything. I'm having my yearly mammogram in May and she wants me to go back to her that week and if this lump is still there, she'll send me to a specialist and maybe have a biopsy done on it.

Isn't 6 weeks too long to wait and not do anything?

Is there anything I can do to help it go away? I'm not going to shave as much under my arm. I shave every other day. Maybe I'll shave once a week. She said it's like when you have a cold and the lymph nodes in your neck swells. That's just like under your arm. I really never heard that your lumph nodes under your arm can swell (causing a lump) from shaving. Anyone heard of that? I never had any problems before. I just hope this lump goes away.

Bernice

Evie4 · 04-11-2007, 07:03 PM

I got bit by a mosquito on my back,it made a node near my arm pit swell. It graudally went away. I think it was swollen pretty good the first week and then the second week progressively got smaller. It is true you can't always figure out why a node swells. I don't think I'd be alarmed at this point. Keeping an eye on it is probably the best thing right now. I don't think your doctor wants to put you through a biopsy when you probably don't need one. These things happen, your body is reacting to something to protect you.