Sore left breast, could it be cancer?

I have been having a lot of soreness and tenderness in my left breast on the upper left middle sort of part and last week I felt a lump. I am only 24 years old and I am terrified that I could have breast cancer. I have had problems in the past few months with my menstrual cycle and it finally got better last month, and ever since my last period BOTH of my boobs have been sore and tingly (mostly the left one, though!) and have been just feeling weird, especially since I am close to starting my period. I am made an appointment at the doctor, but I want to know if anyone else has felt this or experienced anything like this? The lump feels sort of like a swollen gland that you would feel in your throat, and I also heard breast cancer is not painful. Is this true? I am freaking out, please help me before i visit the doc!!

You're right - usually breast cancer is not painful. You probably have a cyst, which is just a fluid-filled mass. They can be caused by hormonal issues. I doubt there is anything seriously wrong with you. Breast cancer at your age would be unusual.

If you have breast pain, you are probably worrying that it might be breast cancer. This is very unlikely. Breast pain is very common 鈥?about 70% of women have it at some time. But go your doctor and see what he/she says, you don't want to spend any great length of time worrying about it.