Ok....This is my second year of being told that I have dense thick breast tissue.  (This pertains to my left breast only.)  I also have a lymph node which you can see on the US in my breast that is very tender to touch, and also tender spots under my arm.  All of my mammo and US have come back great for which I am very thankful.  They say it's nothing to worry about.
 
I guess what I am wanting to know is, why are my lymph nodes sore?  Is this normal for some women?  On the first day of my last period, my rib cage, clear up to my breast, under my arm and down my arm ached so bad that I had to use a heating pad with naproxen.  Can anyone shed some light?
 
PS....Prayers for those on here who are fighting Breast Cancer!!  Love to all.  XOXO

Hi Tanyaw,

I have dense breast tissue as well (right breast).  I'm constantly on my soap box about women with dense breast tissue needing more screening than a mammogram.  But i won't go there now.  I don't know why your lymph node is swollen, but I would keep asking until I got an answer.

Hug,
Elaine

Belmont Shore, (Long Beach) CA
DX 2/08, ER+/PR+, 9.5cm (YIKES!)
IIIA, Grade 2, 2+nodes out of 4 SNB         
left br mast 3/13/08 w/tissue expander, 
dose-dense A+C 4x T4x, 33 Rads DONE 10/08! 
8/08 Arimidex five years (4 yrs to go)           
Recon: silicone implant/lift  7/09 DONE!!!
"Today is here - tomorrow is wa

I would also agree with Arlene on this issue.  I have dense breast tissue and a mammogram 7 months prior to my diagnosis did not detect a huge tumor.  That doesn't mean that mammograms are not a good screening tool, it just means that they are not nearly as sensitive for women with dense breasts.
 
Most doctors will tell you if you have tenderness or swelling associated with your menstrual cycle, that it is probably nothing to worry about.  But I would say to trust what your head is telling you.  Obviously if you have come to the Komen message board, you are concerned that it is something more.
 
Do you have a breast cancer center in your area?  Most major cities have one and it might pay to go there and let them decide if further screening is warranted.  Check with your local hospital for a referral.  There are many other tools that can be used...ultrasound, MRI, needle biopsy, gamma imaging, etc.
 
Please remember also that you are speaking to mainly breast cancer survivors on this message board.  So we are probably a little more paranoid then the average person about breast screening.  The majority of women that come on her with lumps or problems end up having benign conditions, so that is the good news.  But still, we do have women that come on her sometimes that have been telling their doctors about problems for years and are not taken seriously.  So my advice is to find a breast cancer center and make an appointment. 

Alison, 44. Woodland, WA.
DX 08/14/06, Left Mast, Nodes13-/1+, 4-AC/1-Taxol/3-Taxotere, Rads, BRCA neg.,Tram flap. Medullary carcinoma, triple neg. Carepage: Alisonirwin108

Tanyaw,
This is just my experience, so please only take it as that. 
 
4 years ago I had a mammogram that saw a swollen lymph node within the breast, we took the watch and wait approach.  For one year I went every six months I went for a mammo and ultrasound.   The lymph node never got bigger, maybe a tad bit smaller so they said no worries.  I went and saw a breast surgeon and she said everything looked good too.  Three years later I have 5 lymph nodes positive for breast canSer under my arm..HMMMMM, I should have insisted on a biopsy at the time we found the first lymph node.  I did not have a tumor in my breast at all.  I did every test you could think of to find it and a complete mastectomy and they still never found a tumor in my breast  It is possible to have breast canSer and not have a tumor.  Rare but possible.  
 
I wanted to share my experience with you just so you have all the knowledge you can in making your decisions.  I wish you the best..
 
Hugs,
 
Susie

43@ DX 7/18/08
No primary breast tumor
only found by biopsy of axilla lymph nodes
er/pr+ her-
Chemo 8/08 4 a/c 4 taxol finished 11/24/08
Bilat mast 12/08. w/ tissue expanders
5+/23 nodes
No signs of tumor in breast after pathology
pet, ct, and mri all negative for primary tumor 
 28 Rads started 2/2/09 finished 3/13/09  YEA!!!!!!!!!
hysterectomy April 24, 2009
Aromosin May09- 5 YRS

Thank you ladies....It's nice to hear it not all in my head.  Love to all and God Bless.

Hi Tanya,
Is the lymph node pain & swelling limited to areas around the breasts?  How long has it been going on?Does the soreness only present at the start of the monthly cycle?  Maybe tied to hormonal changes?  Your gyn or primary can order lab work to see if hormone levels are in the normal range.  If you have a primary, consider another appt. or request a return call & be persistent.  Tell them "something's wrong" and hold your ground.  Ask about other possible causes & if necessary, what specialty is best suited to explore them.  Have you considered seeing an endocrinologist?  It may be a stretch, & I'd need to look into how broad their specialties are, but an immunologist or a rhuematologist also come to mind.  You might read up on the lymphatic system and lymph node function.  My immunologist checks lymph nodes in my neck each visit (chronic fatigue syndrome & fibromyalgia dx yrs ago @ a univ. hosp.)   Just pointing out, immunologist ck nodes for inflamation. As I recall, lymph node inflammation can be an indicator of other things, like infection. There are no letters behind my name.  I'm just thinking out loud & hoping it helps.  Your symptoms and discomfort can't be "normal", it seems there has to be some underlying cause.
 
Re: the breast concerns.... in my experience, a bilateral breast MRI picked up on what turned out to be DCIS, that was not seen just 2 mos prior with mammography and ultrasound.  Isn't denser breast tissue more likely to hide things?  My 2 cents worth?  I'd feel much better w/a 2nd opinion, maybe even if another doc finds an explanation for the lymph node pain.  I wouldn't be ready to shelve that for another year, just yet.  Too much can happen in a yr.  And I don't want to worry you either, but it was on your mind enough to bring you to the web site.  Go with your gut feeling, listen to the little voice.
 
Try not to worry while you ponder what's best for you.  Easier said than done, but I hope you find answers and peace of mind.  Let us know how it's going & what you decide.
 
I wish you well.  Take care, enjoy the weekend and have a happy.......Diane