My 22-year-old daughter was just diagnosed with an 11 mm breast fibroadenoma. The primary care physician is recommending another ultrasound in four to six months and until then to monitor the lump with self-exams and report any changes immediately. Does this sound reasonable, or should we get another opinion? If it were your daughter, would you have her get a biopsy?

--Concerned

The chance of breast cancer in a 22-year-old is exceedingly low -- only 2 percent of all breast cancers occur in women under age 25. Fibroadenomas are solid, rubbery masses that are most common in women in their 20s and 30s. They are benign. The appearance on ultrasound is characteristic -- a smooth border and a homogeneous (even) pattern within the mass. In women under age 25, they can be followed closely.

If there is a strong history of breast cancer in your family, especially if it has occurred in younger women, then your daughter should have a biopsy. However, if there is no history of breast cancer, she can be followed as your primary care doctor suggests. As always, if you are uncomfortable with a recommendation, seek a second opinion. In this case, a second opinion should come from a surgeon who treats breast disease.