Can a 14 Yr Old Get Breast Cancer??

Updated on July 25, 2010
C.C. asks from Little Rock, AR
29 answers

Hi moms
Well last night my daughter came to me and said that her left breast was hurting and there was a lump next to the nipple. I asked if she would let me feel around it. And well i am not to sure??It is about the size of a little pea. It could be an enlarged milk duct, or just that time of the month for her, Because it coming around the corner.
I am wondering if I should make her an apt. with the doc now or should I wait this out until the cycle comes and see if it goes away?
Well we do have alot of breast cancer in both sides of the family, as I type this my hubands cuz is going threw this today she is 32. I
don't want her to see me worried about this because she will stress out more that she is NOW? And as you know that could prolong your cycles. But in all honesty I am concerned but than I am not because she is still developing (even thou she has a bigger cup size than me) she is still hasn't reached her peek of growing.
So Now TO make the apt. or NOT make the apt that is my question

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So What Happened?

Hi Momas
I just want to thank you all for responding to my question. You have helped alot, at first my daughter pitched a fit that she had to goto the doctor. But i sat her down and had her read everyone advise and then turned to me and she said "LETS GO". I was so happy because she change her mind an we were scared for nothing. It just so happened to be around her cycle and the doc asid that WE made the right choice to come in and get it checked out but her breast were extremely tender but not anything to worry about. BUT if it does not go away come back APSP. With in the next few days the lump and the tenderness were gone.
So THANK YOU for being here for me and our daughter.
You Moms ROCK!!!

Featured Answers

L.C.

answers from Kansas City on

i had that happen to me multiple times when i was a teenager, as well as my mom. They always ended up being small cysts brought on from hormones and puberty. they always ended up dissolving on their own! so i would not worry too much!

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A.B.

answers from New York on

It does sound like a cyst. You could wait out the cycle and see what happens. Mine would dissappear after my period and come back a week before. I also at that age was drinking too much caffeine and the doc told me to cut it out and the cysts resolved on their own. Why don't you call the doc office tell them what is going on and go by their suggestions. Good luck.

2 moms found this helpful

L.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hello, yes, anyone can get breastcancer. That being said, my doctor told me that breast cancer is not painful, so it is probably a cyst or fibroid. Make the appt.

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K.B.

answers from San Francisco on

As a woman who went through cancer before age 30, I would actually say wait until after her cycle is over. The odds are a cyst (pain is not usually associated with cancerous lumps, and the location says milk duct to me), and it could resolve itself within a matter of days. When I found my own lump, I waited to watch it over the course of a week or two, knowing that the breasts go through many changes during menstruation. it didn't resolve, so I went in and it was still early enough to deal with it well. A week or two in the course of a cancer is nothing, but seeing a doctor and thinking about the possibility of cancer may be more stress than is necessary. Take a deep breath, and try to stay calm. I bet she'll be fine!

3 moms found this helpful

M.H.

answers from Raleigh on

Make the appointment. My mom is a RN in a breast cancer clinic and the number of young women she sees that have breast cancer are staggering! I have never heard her talk about one as young as 14, but she has definitely had 18 and 19 year olds with it (and it really is not that uncommon). The other option you may want to consider is having your daughter genetically tested to see how high her chances really are. If she has two or more grandmothers or aunts who have breast cancer, her chances of getting breast cancer are much higher than if she just has one close, blood relative with it. Cousins normally don't "count". The genetic testing can either help put your mind at ease or help her to realize early on that she needs to be on top of anything and everything in her breasts. Good luck, I hope it is just normal puberty stuff.

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K.E.

answers from Jacksonville on

Make the appt. I just had a fibroadenoma removed and my cousin used to get them all the tiime when she was a teen. It's harmless, but should be removed. It might also just be a cyst or just something that comes with her cycle. I'm glad she is in tune with her body and that she came to you for help. It will ease both of your minds if you go and get her checked out. the cost of the appt. will be worth it to not have to worry. Always check out something that just isn't right if only to give you peace of mind. :)

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V.B.

answers from Houston on

As a 35 year old woman going through breast cancer, I would say that you can never be too careful. I wouldn't worry her or even mention the word cancer to her, but just let her know that the lump isn't normal and that you want her to have the doctor check it out. It could just be a cyst or something, but if it were my daughter, I would at least let a doctor look at it. I hope that it turns out to be nothing. Big hugs to you!

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J.T.

answers from Dallas on

it's prob a little cyst or something, but it's ALWAYS better to be safe than sorry. additionally, the fact that it hurts makes cancer a very slim possibility - cancer is typically not painful in the breast.

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J.C.

answers from Anchorage on

Make it now, it is rare at that age, but it happens. I found a lump when I was 15 near my armpit. I saw the doctor the day after I told my mom, and was in surgery later that same week to have the tumor removed. I have been fine ever since :). Do not play with this, just get it checked to put everyone's mind at ease. These lumps are usually nothing, but better safe than sorry.

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B.P.

answers from New York on

It's highly unlikely that its cancer. I had the exact symptoms you describe when I was 19 and it turned out to be a fibroadenoma...a fibroid cyst. Wait another month to see if it disolves or gets smaller on its own. If not, then you can take her to the doctor where they will do an ultrasound and perhaps remove it like they removed mine. Also, cut down on caffeine, that will make the breasts hurt less.

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K.E.

answers from Buffalo on

ANYONE AT ANY AGE CAN GET CANCER. If you have breast tissue (which we all do at birth) then you can get cancer in it.

If there is a family history, get it looked at, what can it hurt, you look like a loving mother who cares. ok.

Call today!

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D.M.

answers from San Francisco on

My oldest at 11 had a painful lump...made me nervous, as my bff was going through breast cancer treatment at the time at 35...I took her to the dr...it was just her developing...
I could have felt stupid for taking her to the dr for it, but instead i felt relieved..it can't hurt to take her. don't make a big deal out of it, just let her know you want to see what it is so you can treat the pain. why worry for two weeks to see if it goes away when you can have assurance that it's no big deal.

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R.

answers from Oklahoma City on

I don't know if you can get breast cancer at 14, but if it was my daughter I would take her in just to be safe. I would rather take her to the doctor for nothing then miss something especally something like breast cancer.

1 mom found this helpful
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D.W.

answers from Indianapolis on

Yes, make the appointment!

It's completely possible for a 14 year-old to get diagnosed with breast cancer. The chances are slim, but it's completely possible, and a good doctor will take any breast-related issues seriously.

Chances are, because it's painful, it's a cyst. However, it's only something a trained medical professional will be able to assess. Generally, cancerous tumors are very hard, not easy to move, and are painless unless they press upon surrounding nerves.

My cancer (Hodgkins, not breast) is defied all conventional wisdom and was hard to diagnose. But, I'm glad I made the calls and pressed for answers when I did. It's most often diagnosed in people ages 10-20. Mine was 2 days before my 33rd birthday defying the statistics.

I hope she's fine, but do your due diligence and make the call NOW!
Good luck!

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T.F.

answers from Los Angeles on

It's probably not a very high statistical probability but it could be possible.
I wouldn't bring up the cancer to your daughter but I would go see her doctor. My daughter was younger and not developed when she had pain and bumps on her right breast- I took her in and all she had was breast buds and was about to develop - so all good. I personally had a lump at 24 which then also had calcifications which made the drs fear beginning signs of cancer. Luckily it ended with surgery and no cancer.

It's better to be on the safe side. Take her in to be sure she's okay and to ally your fears.

Big hugs to you as I know you are worried.

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S.S.

answers from Chicago on

I'd make the appointment. Definitely. I did see a story about a very young girl with breast cancer ( maybe 11-13 yrs old). I am sure it is highly unlikely and I wouldn't worry your daughter, but you have a family history and it is never too early to be proactive on breast health.

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D.K.

answers from Washington DC on

Even MEN can get breast cancer. I know that young girls can get cervical cancer or ovarian cancer, so why not breast cancer too, especially with a family history. I would think that it would be very rare, so I wouldn't freak out if I were you. I would make the appointment, just to be on the safe side, but stay calm and realize that it's probably nothing.

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K.F.

answers from Salinas on

I would go to the doctor to be sure as I'd think it would cause more worrying to NOT go. The chances of it being cancer are very remote but of course anything is possible. As I understand cancer would not hurt like you're describing and regardless of the horror stories some people feel compelled to tell you on this site, I for one have never heard of a 14 year old getting breast cancer. Have the doctor put your fears to rest!

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L.D.

answers from Las Vegas on

Please don't wait. It maybe a cyst or a blocked duct but, if it does turn out to be breast cancer, you would want to get it diagnosed and treated as soon as possible. I know of a 12-year old girl who was diagnosed with breast cancer so I think it is possible that a 14-year old can develop it as well. That's not to say that that's what your daughter has but, with your extensive family history of breast cancer and just the systems your daughter is having, it is better to get it checked out ASAP.

Also, I just got done reading this really great book called Anti-Cancer, A New Way of Life by David Servan-Schrieber, MD, PhD. The premise of the book is that we all have cancer cells inside of us but not all of us develop cancer and there are certain lifestyle changes that we can make to help insure that it never happens. It was a very enlightening read. I highly recommend it for you and your family.

Sending your daughter prayers of healing and perfect health.

1 mom found this helpful
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G.N.

answers from Birmingham on

I would have it checked out if it didn't go away after her next period. It certainly can't hurt to have a doctor look at it.

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D.B.

answers from Charlotte on

.

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K.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

YES - see a doctor. Knowing that breast cancer runs in your family, you cannot be too safe. You shouldn't scare your daughter but rather praise her for checking her breasts and doing what she needs to in order to stay safe and healthy.

Some people just have a lot of natural lumps in their breasts - I do - that are completely benign and nothing to worry about. Your daughter will feel much better if she knows that this is the case with her. The doctor can also teach her to feel the difference between a regular lump and a problematic lump. At her age, it's a good time to see a gynecologist for the first time anyway.

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L.A.

answers from Tulsa on

I would definitely go, if just to ease your mind.

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S.S.

answers from Cincinnati on

if it is hurting her I think you should make an appointment to see your doctor. though it is highly unlikely breast cancer. if it is hurting in just that little area it probably isnt do to her period. i agree with a lot of the other answers about it most likely being a cyst...it could be nothing, a womans breast change all the time....anyone with breast tissue can get breast cancer, but I doubt that is the case with her

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H.K.

answers from Boston on

Be on the safe side and book the appointment, It COULD be any of the things that you mentioned. Or it could be something serious. The only way to be sure, is to take care of the concern now, and not wait until it is possibly too late.

Question: Why WOULD you wait? If she is in pain take her to the doctor.... the reason why most people get sick and stay sick is because they caught, whatever they had too late.

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T.H.

answers from Florence on

I have a daughter who is 15 and was diagnosed with bone cancer at 11. We also know the only girl at 10 who was diagnosed with adult lung cancer and the only child at 11 that was diagnosed with colon cancer.So adult cancers are showing up in children. I only say this because of the many responses form people who do not think it can happen. I would encourage ANYONE who has a child with new or different pain issues to have them checked out. It is always be better to be safe, there is nothing wrong with having something checked out to be on the safe side.If your daughter was worried enough to ask, I am sure it would make her feel better to have it checked out. We have a family history of fibrocyistic breast tissue, so you can develop lumps that are not cancer. Good luck to you and your daughter, I Pray it is nothing serious.
T.

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M.B.

answers from Baton Rouge on

I'd make the appointment and error on the side of caution. Plus you'd be role modeling for your daughter what to do without over reacting. Certainly don't want her discounting a professional opinion.

As for if her age is too young, I'd say not likely at 14 but still possible. The thing is that cancer is usually seen in older people because that's when cells are older and therefor mutations are more likely. Though that is age related cancer. Genetic or familial cancer has little to do with age of cells hence you see it in 24 yr olds and so on. So with a family history as you described, I would never be so brave that I discounted cancer in youth. Diligence and proactiveness would always trump regret.

With that said, I agree it sounds like nothing more than a clogged duct, inflamed lymph, agravated pore, ingrown hair or what not!

But still a trip to the doctor will solve it and is always wise.
I'd say there is never a question of to go or not go as if any question arises then you always go. This coming from a mom who is less a worry wort by always calling the doc and or going in.

Best wishes and will say a little prayer.
Mb

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P.M.

answers from Birmingham on

This is too important to wait. Make an appt for your daughter. ASAP

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R.K.

answers from Boston on

Please don't wait to make that appointment it could be nothing but it could be cancer. A girl in my town is battling breast cancer at the age of 27 and she is worse then my mom who had at in her 50s. This girl has gone through surgery (removal of both breasts) chemo and now will be doing radiation.
I had a lump a few years ago and it turned out to be nothing but I had the lump removed because it was causing me so much pain and discomfort.

Updated

Please don't wait to make that appointment it could be nothing but it could be cancer. A girl in my town is battling breast cancer at the age of 27 and she is worse then my mom who had at in her 50s. This girl has gone through surgery (removal of both breasts) chemo and now will be doing radiation.
I had a lump a few years ago and it turned out to be nothing but I had the lump removed because it was causing me so much pain and discomfort.

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