There is a lump on my right breast; should I be worried?

Dear Doc,

I am on the female rugby team and, during a medical check for travel to the regional games, a lump was noted in my right breast. I am 20 years old and have to get further investigations. I am worried. Should I be?{{more}}

Maureen

Dear Maureen,

All lumps must be investigated to be certain of their diagnosis.

Rugby is a contact sport and during a game your breasts can sustain moderate to severe trauma. With men, who have significantly smaller breasts, the blows sustained are directly on the muscular chest walls. In the case of a female, the breasts sustain the blows and there can be damage to the fat tissues and blood vessels. When the injuries heal, there can be scar tissues which are the masses that are felt.

We must never forget, though, that there are other masses that can develop in the young female breasts that have no relation to trauma. Fibroadenomas are benign/non-cancerous lumps that are common.

Your concerns are noted and I am not trying to convince you that you should not pursue the investigations, but due to the many possibilities, it is only in investigating you will know for sure.

Doc

SVG Cancer Society,

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