hello ladies i need advice

i have had this painful lump in my left breast for few days and it got really hard and big today and i dont even massage that much. I'm just about to start my period as well, could they be related or should i be worried?

it could be a blocked lymph node. massage should drain it but i would go to a dr to check it out. good luck

Please go to your doctor, it may be nothing but peace of mind will make you feel better.
Best of Luck.

Definatly get it checked out by a doctor, its better to be safe than sorry.

Not to freak you out, but in theory many of these phytoestrogen herbs can increase the production/growth of breast cancer cells. So, yeah, I would definately get this checked out by a doctor! Like everyone else said, it's better to be safe than sorry. If it is the start of something, it's also good to have caught it now than later.

As has been discussed before in this forum, phytoestrogens probably protect against cancer rather than cause it. However, even if what you said is true, it would take years to develop a degenerative disease like cancer. I know someone who has just been diagnosed with lung cancer, but that took more than 30 years of heavy smoking. I don't think you could develop any disease based on just a few weeks of taking something (even if that something really might cause cancer, which in this case it wouldn't).

as a general rule, cancer usually doesnt hurt. so my bet is its a lymph node. however you should definately get it checked out just to be sure!

please get it checked. cant these things get infected and actually cause high fevers? not meaning to worry u. but its one of the joys of massage and nbe, knowing your own body best and what is normal and what is cause for worry. my guess is since u posted about it u are worried and you already know the answer. keep us posted!

If you are concerned, then I would see a doctor. If it will be a few days before you get in then try this. Eliminate ALL forms of caffeine, choc. ,tea, soda, coffe, anything. I get a painful lump on one of my breasts and it does seem to grow, but found it is due to caffeine. It takes a few days to get the caffeine out of my system, and the lump goes away.

Remember, cancerous lumps generally are never painful, so in this case right now, the pain is your friend. You could also try some slight heat, and gently massaging the lump. I have to do that for my caffeine lump, which actually feels like someone took a nice rock and implanted it.

Let us know how things turn out.

I had a similar experience some years ago, don't panic, of course you should see your doctor, until then, this hepled me:

http://www.vaughanmedical.com/mf_breasthealth.htm

http://www.brafree.org/index.htm

http://www.mountainpridemedia.org/oitm/issues/2005/08aug2005/views01_mcnichol.htm

http://www.selfstudycenter.org/dressedtokill.htm

http://www.selfstudycenter.org/getitoff.htm

Jenelle,

Miss Monett didn't say that phytoestrogens cause breast cancer! She said they increase the growth of breast cancer cells (so once you have the cancer) and she is right in that. Furthermore, you can't compare tumor development in breasts to lung cancer

Bonnette,

since your on NBE I'm sure you check your breasts very often and one day is a bit quick to develop a large tumor... So I agree that it might be a lymph node but see a doctor as soon as possible, then you don't have to worry anymore

Good luck girl!

oh my god!

but i have no chances to go to the doctor since i'm studying abroad right now.

and since i massage 2-3 times a day shortly it was not there lets say a week ago. Can a cancer grow so fast?

i remember having it once also in the beginning of my program 8in other breast) before period but it was not so big.

Oh and i dont drink coffee nor tea so it can't be that :(

Yesterday i made search in forum that lumps have happened to many or am i just calming myself down. Will see i expect my period to start very soon (today maybe) and maybe it will disappear).

one more thing is that i ramped up my doses lately as well and have these slight underarm sensations, also to do with lymphs?

Bonnette, try to go to a doctor regardless, even if you don't have insurance it can't cost that much, and frankly your health is more important than the money you may spend.
In the meantime I would maybe come off the herbs and massage lightly the skin on your boobs outwards towards your armpits and further to aid lymph drainage.
And cancer really doesn't usually hurt so don't worry so much.

Dear Bonnette,
Please go to the doctor, there must be an easy way to see the University nurse or something, especially if you explain what this is about, I am sure they'll get you an appointment, and with this opportunity they should also be able to register you with a doctor for anytime you need to see one in the future. Universities always provide free/cheap healthcare for their students, it must be the case for you too --please find out and I'm sure you'll feel so much better about it after doing so (plus registering with a doctor in general).

I also think and hope it's nothing worrying, perhaps a swollen lymph or perhaps a fibroadenoma, even though the latter doesn't normally hurt, and if it does it can be removed in a very simple, small operation, it's something very common amongst young women (due to increased sensitivity to oestrogen). A friend of mine had one removed a couple of years ago, and in fact she had it checked in our university practice and then -as it wasn't something urgent- she had it removed much later on when she returned home- it was really nothing worrying, so it could wait.

But please please go the University nurse/doctor and get it checked -promise you will. In the meantime make sure you drink plenty of water/gentle herbal teas (with non-NBE herbs, mind you) and gently massage the area outwards as Lisa said. You might want to look at the lymphatic massage page on the main menu:
http://www.natural-breast-forum.netoutlook.co.uk/h-massage.html

and follow the simple steps described there for lymphatic drainage (also check the video at the bottom of the page, it makes the steps look so easy)


Big hug and best healthy wishes to you,
you are in my thoughts and can't wait to hear from you soon about all this,

Love, Helen xx

hello again

i haven't been to the doctor i know u must think i'm super irresponsible person but...

i quit herbs today but not EPO. started milkthistle to livercleanse but don't have my period yet.

i keep checking it all the time and since my breasts are so small anyway it seems i have the same kind of lump in my other breast but it's smaller (the breast is also smaller). what is different is that the both lumps (which are most probably my breast-tissue or glands) inside my breasts are a bit harder than usual and sore occasionaly (when i stretch myself i might get this stabbing feeling). I remember having it before as well just before periods but never really payed attention since i'm so stupid in that area. So i'm praying for my periods to start to see if they get softer again.

i've read over the board that Mrs.Taylor and Snowflake had lumps as well and i think HoneyB, too bad they are not around anymore.

I don't know whether to start over after my period or not. What i read is that lumps are caused by excess estrogen and i never thought i had it this way around. Should i add progesteron creme? Or should i quit my NBE altogether. i don't want to stay so small and i know this may sound stupid but i'm embarrassed to see any doctor with these breasts.

Thank you all for your support and i'm sorry if i have disappointed you :( , i am such a creep sometimes

Bonnette

Heyy..

Well...this is out of experience.

I had a painful lump on my left breast (on the armpit side) JUST before my periods. I had sudden stabbing pains..and it kept happening toooo often. I was given advil (pain killer) n Vit E for it...and asked to come back if they existed after my periods. It didnt go immediately but it took around 3 weeks to disappear completed... ( 1 week before periods n 2 weeks after...approx atleast)

Like someone said, if its painful, it shouldnt be a cancerous but rather due to your periods approaching. Many friends have experience bigger n fuller boobs just before their periods. I guess its coz of hormones....

Dont worry, go to a General prac. just for assurity. Nothing to be worried about tho..

Regards and do let me know what happens

I heard about lumps in NBE quite a few times which aren't dangerous, something connective tissue related, I don't remeber exactly what they are tho. It could as well be a blocked lymph node. If so, this could also be dangerous or in the least unpleasent if you don't manage to release it so go to the doctor if it doesn't solve.

Bonnette,
You may very well just be feeling the natural tissue of your breasts. Since it is so close to your period, it would be natural for you to be retaining water. One basic rule of thumb is to watch this lump through a full cycle. If it decreases or goes away it is probably nothing to worry about. (however, it never hurts to get things checked out - even if it just helps to ease your mind) It is a good sign that the lump is painful, as this places it more in the benign catagory.

Women who are estrogen dominant often suffer from fibrocystic breast disease. Women who have fibrocystic breasts have all sorts of lumpiness in their breasts. This is generally not associated with breast cancer. If you are estrogen dominant and have been using herbs that increase estrogen, you may have exaccerbated this condition. Progesterone cream used from day 12 - 28 of your cycle may give a lot of relief from this.

Progesterone cream was one of the best things that has ever happened to me. My breasts were very small and very lumpy. My doctor told me my breast tissue was extremely dense. Since I began to use Progesterone, not only has my breast size increased a cup size, my breast texture is soft and firm - no more lumps. It isn't the right fix for everyone, but it really made a difference for me.

Best wishes - keep us posted,
Waxingmoon