This summer, in the middle of managing a mountain of medical tests for my chronic conditions, I felt something unusual in my left breast. It wasn’t obvious, just a vague lumpiness I couldn’t quite define. Life was already chaotic, so I brushed it off, convincing myself it could wait.

Fast forward to a few weeks ago, and I started experiencing sharp, intense pain in that same breast. On top of that, I noticed a dramatic change in my nipple—it looked much smaller than usual and didn’t match the other side. There was also a subtle difference in the color of the skin around the area. Combined with the family history of breast cancer lurking in the back of my mind, I knew I couldn’t keep ignoring it.

Still, I hesitated. I am 31 years old. Surely this couldn’t be anything serious right? Embarrassment, fear, and the thought of adding one more thing to my list made it hard to act. Eventually, I sucked it up and went to a doctor I’d never seen before—partly because I was too embarrassed to talk to anyone who already knew me.

The Diagnosis: Mastitis

The new doctor examined me thoroughly and said he didn’t feel anything alarming. However, given the pain, size changes, and color difference, he suspected mastitis, a breast infection that’s most often associated with breastfeeding.

What Is Mastitis, and Can Non-Pregnant People Get It?

Mastitis occurs when breast tissue becomes inflamed, often due to a blocked milk duct or bacteria entering the breast. While it’s most common in nursing mothers, anyone can develop it. In non-breastfeeding individuals, it can be caused by trauma to the breast, hormonal changes, or even an underlying inflammatory condition.

The doctor suggested an ultrasound to be on the safe side. When I tried to book the appointment, the system automatically scheduled me for a mammogram instead. Confused, I called the clinic the next day to clarify. They assured me that a mammogram was the correct test, so I kept the appointment.

My First Mammogram

Three days later, I walked into the clinic, nerves buzzing. I had no idea what to expect. The technician was kind and walked me through everything. She placed my breast on a flat platform, and a second plate compressed it from above to get clear images. It was uncomfortable but bearable, and the whole process took about 20 minutes.

The technician explained that if the results were inconclusive or raised concerns, they’d call me for further testing. If everything looked fine, the results would go directly to my doctor. I left feeling a mix of relief and anxiety—relief that I’d finally taken action, but anxiety over what might come next.

A Week of Waiting

The test happened right before I left for a planned trip to Las Vegas. I tried to distract myself with exploring, writing, and enjoying the city, but the nagging “what if?” lingered in the back of my mind.

When I got home, I finally faced the results. My heart was racing as the doctor explained that everything was normal. There was no mass, no infection—it was likely hormonal changes or residual inflammation causing the pain and changes in appearance.

My Takeaway: Don’t Ignore Your Body

Looking back, I realize how easily I could’ve ignored this scare altogether. With a family history of breast cancer, I should’ve acted sooner. But it’s so easy to prioritize everything else—work, family, chronic pain—over your own health.

If you feel something unusual, notice changes, or experience persistent pain, get it checked out. Even if it turns out to be nothing, the peace of mind is worth it. And if it is something, catching it early can make all the difference.

Take it from someone who spent months brushing off her instincts: listen to your body. It’s the only one you have.