Skip to content

Demand tests with breast lump/change?

Page last modified on: October 8, 2008
Question from Bweeden: Young women being diagnosed are still saying that their concerns are still being originally dismissed with "you are too young for breast cancer." What type of testing should every young woman demand she receive as the bare minimum when she presents a breast lump/change to a physician? Thank you.
Answers —Lynn Schuchter, M.D.: I think she needs a good physical examination by the doctor. Then appropriate X-rays should be ordered and that could include a mammogram with possibly an ultrasound. It is true that breast cancer can occur in younger women, so it is appropriate to pursue things that they are concerned about in a breast exam. Having said that, it is very common to have benign (no cancer) in a bump or lump that a woman feels in her breast. But it is important to pursue the evaluation.
Jennifer Armstrong, M.D.: I really agree with Dr. Schuchter that any woman with a breast lump or change in her breast needs attention, regardless of her age. While benign results are more likely than anything else at any age, because of the potential risk of breast cancer at any age, evaluation is important. The younger a woman is, the more likely ultrasound is to be used with greater emphasis. This is because mammograms are particularly limited in younger women who tend to have denser and more cystic breast tissue. As Dr. Schuchter mentioned, oftentimes more than one test will be used in conjunction. Mammograms are not recommended as a screening tool in women without palpable abnormalities before the age of 40 or 50 (depending on different screening recommendations and different organizations).

On Wednesday, April 19, 2006, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Young Women and Breast Cancer. Lynn Schuchter, M.D. and moderator Jennifer Armstrong, M.D. answered your questions about the special concerns of young women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

A production of LiveWorld, Inc.
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.

Email Updates

Stay informed about current research, online events, and more.

Please leave this field empty

Meet the Experts

Schuchter, LynnLynn Schuchter, M.D. is a medical oncologist specializing in breast cancer and melanoma at the University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center in Philadelphia, Pa.

Jennifer Armstrong, M.D.Jennifer Armstrong, M.D. is a breast cancer oncologist at Paoli Hematology-Oncology Associates in Paoli, Pa., with a special interest in physicians' communication skills.

Back to top

Breastcancer.org 7 East Lancaster Avenue, 3rd Floor Ardmore, PA 19003

Learn more about our commitment to your privacy

© 2009 Breastcancer.org - All rights reserved.

Breastcancer.org is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing information and community to those touched by this disease. Learn more about our commitment to providing complete, accurate, and private breast cancer information.