I have a lump in my breast and need some advice. Please.

[gracesmommy]

I can't advocate for this enough. I lost my mom to breast cancer in her late 50s and I know I am high risk. this past year I had been having severe pain in my breast and saw my dr numerous times where he told me with his x-ray vision it was nothing to worry about and it was rare for women in their 30s to have breast cancer (uhh..ok). he informed me as well that mammograms were not appropriate for women my age as it does more harm then good. I insisted on ultrasounds and an MRI. I was a mess for a good 2 weeks before my MRI, so scary. I thank god that it came back fine. My heart goes out to you and anyone else going through this. Keep us posted, and you are in my thoughts.

[Lynn49]

I just can't believe how UNinformed doctors can BE when the life-saving statistics are staring them directly in their faces!
Chauvinists. Plain and simple. Surprised they don't prescribe valium when we ask for mammograms since we're sooooo stressed and emotional!

[Sunshyne1]

it seems a bit careless to me that the Dr. would say no to a Mammogram. That was the second thing my Dr. sent me for when the needle test came back inconclusive.

now (god I know this it TMI, but i figure it's for a good cause) I have large breasts...so mammograms are a tad more painful for large breasted woman than smaller breasted woman. Squashing boobies is never fun. And going in to have them check on something specific in a specific spot was even more painful because the first squashed my breast then a large cylinder was positioned over the lump and then that came down and squashed the area where the lump was. Good lord that hurt!!!

How long have you had this Dr.???

[Natalka]

Thanks for the advice guys, I appreciate it. Originally (before the ultrasound) my Dr said no to a mammogram because he said I was too young (33) and that they don't want to subject you to the harmfulness of mammograms too early. How harmful are these damn things? lol

I will definitely ask for a biopsy on Friday. Better to be safer than sorry.

Tara, HI!

It's always better to know more, to invesigate more.

About anything harmful from mammography - it's a very low-dose x-ray.

[Lynn49]

it seems a bit careless to me that the Dr. would say no to a Mammogram. That was the second thing my Dr. sent me for when the needle test came back inconclusive.

now (god I know this it TMI, but i figure it's for a good cause) I have large breasts...so mammograms are a tad more painful for large breasted woman than smaller breasted woman. Squashing boobies is never fun. And going in to have them check on something specific in a specific spot was even more painful because the first squashed my breast then a large cylinder was positioned over the lump and then that came down and squashed the area where the lump was. Good lord that hurt!!!

How long have you had this Dr.???

Wow, amen to that, Sister!! AND I even had a reduction done years ago...I can't even imagine what it would be like now if I hadn't had that done!

[TaraF]

Lynn,


I appreciate the stats, while they are scary stats I also realize that it probably is "just
a cyst". I worry so much that I'm going to turn into a hypochondriac. Last year when I was losing my balance alot I freaked out and called my Oncologist and he got me an MRI as it is part of my treatment plan. That came back clear but the one thing he said to me that I try to remember daily was, "while yes you have brain tumour you need to realize that other things can and will happen to you in life." Turns out the falling was a later diagnosis of orthostatic hypotension, so I knew something was wrong, just thankfully it wasn't tumour growth related (although it is tumour related) stupid horatio lol


It is better to be a bit more on guard than to assume "it's just this, or that". I've had almost constant pain since my surgery in my face and head. I flaked it off as "well it's skull pain from surgery. Makes sense right? lol Some is, but I was diagnosed 3 months ago with brain tumour induced trigeminal neuralgia. I'm trying to find that balance of "wait it out and see" and "forget it I don't care if they think I'm crazy I want a test!" lol


Lets face it: You find a lump ANYWHERE in your body, you want to make 100% certain it isn't anything to worry about. That's common, no matter what you've faced in life.


sechltsaver, I can NOT believe she would talk to you like that! Most lumps (anywhere) turn out to
be nothing more than a nuisance, yes, but a little reassurance that a nuisance is all it is is never a bad thing. Or it shouldn't be. My friends brother died a few years ago at the age of 27 from colon cancer. Colon cancer, the "old mans" disease. So yes, cancers that US to be mostly common in older ages are sadly showing up in younger ages as the years go on.

[TaraF]

oscarandme, I think that's the most IMPORTANT thing we seem to forget: THEY WORK FOR US! If
we feel we need testing we shouldn't simply be asking but rather demanding it.


Giving small, thank you. You're right it probably is nothing, but you truly can't put a price on
peace of mind.


gracsmommy, I'm so sorry to hear you lost your Mother to breast cancer. It's infuriating when
you've had a close relative such as your mother that had breast cancer and your dr says something
like that. Bad enough with any history but considering, my goodness.


Sunshyne1, to be honest, I am starting to wonder if my dr has been ged, or is being investigated for referring too much or something. He's more reluctant than he use to be, I think he's just too old to practice anymore. He has been my Dr my whole life, he delivered me. He delivered my brothers (36, 39) My mom was one of his first patients when he came over from England, that was back in 1969. lol So she's been his patient for 44 years. He's old. lol


Natalka, actually I should have countered my Dr with, " Um I've had 3 CT Scans and over a dozen
MRI's in the last 3 years. No piddly mammogram is going to do any damage" lol

Thanks so much for the advice guys, I appreciate it. I'm 33 and I've never had a mammogram, infact my Dr has never given me a physical so I've never had a breast exam done by a physician so I really wasn't sure what I should be asking for in regards to further testing. So Friday I will "politely assertively" ask for further testing.

[Sunshyne1]

TaraF, are you saying your Dr. has never performed a PAP on you? Is that what you mean by he's never done a physical?

[walkonby]

pm-ing you

[Snow In Summer]

I have a ton ... and I mean a ton of experience with this dating back to 2005!!! My first experience was an emergency biopsy done within 48 hours after seeing my GP as I had the worst case symptoms you could possibly have for breast cancer and no it didn't include finding a lump. By the way I'm a very small B cup. If you want to know more details please just PM me and I will explain it to you privately.

Since 2005 I now go every 6 months for ultrasounds (they are more accurate then mammograms but I also have those done ever year now also) and have had 7 biopsy surgeries (between 4-6 biopsy done on each mass they found at the time, sometimes there were two). So far knock on wood, I'm fine but I found you need to be really tough with the medical profession and your GP about your own heath and demand what you are entitled to under your OHIP plan.

Not knowing will make you even sicker with the stress of not knowing, so please demand from your GP that you want to be referred to a specialist and get a biopsy done, period. I suggest you stay away from "teaching hospitals" I know but this is what I demand now after not having my not arm functioning for a week after having the first one done. The students can butcher someone else now. I have a great specialist now Dr. Mirsky here in Ottawa and the last 3 surgeries were absolutely painless, smooth without complications and I was even able to drive myself home afterwards and work as if nothing happened the next day without any pain.

So please on Friday demand to be referred to a specialist, demand a biopsy and get it over and done with. If I were a betting gal, all will be fine at the end of the day, PLUS you will sleep a lot better at night!!!

All the best to you darling.

[TaraF]

Actually Sunshyne1, I had my first pap last yr and only because I went to him for another issue and while laying down I said to him "well since your down there why don't you do a pap test?" lol his wife (secretary) wasn't too happy with me. Reason I hadn't had one previous is because he believes I am too young to need them. *sighs* as for a physical, nope, no breast exam or anything. He's old, and really old school when it comes to a lot of things.

Snow In Summer, I have heard that ultrasounds are more accurate in detecting things, perhaps that's why he sent me for one of those first? I will definitely pm you.

[CrazyQT]

Do not settle with the treatment regime unless you are 100% satisfied. You won't ever relax until it's confirmed benign. If one doctor won't help you go to another and keep going until you are satisfied with the results. It's your body and you have a right to medical care. Best of luck. I hope it's just a simple cyst but it's not worth taking a chance given your history.

[Snow In Summer]

Actually Sunshyne1, I had my first pap last yr and only because I went to him for another issue and while laying down I said to him "well since your down there why don't you do a pap test?" lol his wife (secretary) wasn't too happy with me. Reason I hadn't had one previous is because he believes I am too young to need them. *sighs* as for a physical, nope, no breast exam or anything. He's old, and really old school when it comes to a lot of things.

Snow In Summer, I have heard that ultrasounds are more accurate in detecting things, perhaps that's why he sent me for one of those first? I will definitely pm you.

Ultrasounds are absolutely more accurate than mammograms! My masses never showed up on any of my mammograms but they all did on my ultrasounds. There is also a way of defining cysts vs. cancerous tumours on an ultrasound as they show up differently on the screen ... either light/med. grey vs. black.

[Sunshyne1]

Ultrasounds are absolutely more accurate than mammograms! My masses never showed up on any of my mammograms but they all did on my ultrasounds. There is also a way of defining cysts vs. cancerous tumours on an ultrasound as they show up differently on the screen ... either light/med. grey vs. black.

good to know.

[toban]

I would definitely push the issue and ask for further testing. If your doctor doesn't budge, definitely seek a second opinion. I don't think your overreacting. I can understand you would feel that way especially after experiencing a brain tumour. It's your body and health. I hope it's nothing serious and sending positive vibes your way. Please keep us updated

P.S. I know how frustrating it is to feel your medical issues are not important or ignored. I went through several years of not being listened to for orthopedic issues. Finally I feel as though one doctor is listening. Keep pushing until someone listens or does something.