'I'm so worried about my underarm lump. What can it be?'
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Q: My underarm has been very sore and I noticed a small lump there, where the soreness was. I'm so worried. Should I go to the doctor? Britney, 17. |
our online advisors reply:
Hi Britney, thanks for visiting our website. I can understand your concern about this lump in your armpit because this can very occasionally be a sign of breast cancer. But try not to worry too much – the vast majority of lumps, even in the breasts themselves, have nothing to do with cancer. Breast cancer is also much less common in women of your age. Having said that, I would still advise you to go and see your GP about this because they can examine the lump and make a proper diagnosis.
The lump could be what is known as a sebaceous cyst – a build-up of the oily substance secreted in hair follicles. Sebaceous cysts usually just disappear on their own, though they can require treatment if they become infected and sore.
Another possible explanation is that the lump is caused by an ingrown hair, especially if you shave your underarms. After shaving, a hair can sometimes grow back under the skin instead of outwards, which can result in an inflamed and infected spot. Sometimes it's possible to gently pull the hair out with a pair of sterilised tweezers or a sterilised needle, but it's best to let your doctor do this. Some doctors will show their patients how to remove an ingrown hair so that you can do it yourself in future without making the spot worse.
One more possibility is that you have an infected lymph node, which is basically a swollen gland. The lymph nodes are part of the body's mechanism for fighting off infection, and they can sometimes become swollen. It's true that swollen underarm lymph nodes can be associated with breast cancer, but it is far, far more likely that the swelling is caused by an infection of some sort. If this is the cause of your lump, your GP might suggest treatment for the underlying infection. The website http://my.webmd.com/encyclopedia has information about swollen glands.
Your lump is very unlikely to be a serious health problem, but do get yourself checked out, if only to put your mind at rest. Take care.
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