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

[Lynn49]

Thinking of you, Tara, and wondering how your doctor visit went today.....oops, sorry, I jumped ahead a day....good luck tomorrow, Tara, Hon...

[TaraF]

Went to the Drs and he said that the cyst was only 4mm (about 1/2 cm) Ummm WHAT? Maybe I'm not familiar with how cysts are formed, but I can grab a lump in my breast right now and when I have my husband measure one side to the other it is larger than 1 inch, infact it's actually visibly protruded from my breast. *scratches head* I get that there is skin, fat, etc but to feel a lump that clearly and be able to grab it and it is only showing as 4mm on ultrasound has me (as well as my husband and my mother) rather perplexed. Unless he read the number wrong which wouldn't surprise me. But anyways, when I asked about a biopsy he first said there was nothing suspicious about it and that they won't do a biopsy on something so small because it's next to impossible to extract anything from a cyst of that size.

I am going to do a little research and since I have an appointment at the hospital Monday I will stop by the breast screening centre in it and ask them a few questions.

[Zonny]

I've been through some of this. From what I was told, when they see something on a mammogram there are clues based on its shape, etc. that indicate whether it's likely to be cancerous or not.

I wouldn't have volunteered for a biopsy, but was sent to get one, and the reality of it wasn't so bad. I had one person (a breast cancer survivor) scare the crap out of me telling me it hurt like hell, but that wasn't true at all for me. Comfortable? Fun? Relaxing? Well no, but I wouldn't say it was horribly painful. Mine looked fishy on the mammogram, but the biopsy said it was nothing.

Hope you're doing OK, I know this is all very stressful!

[Lynn49]

Hon, it's probably not serious, but I do have serious issues with your doctor on a few fronts...however...fyi....

It was suggested that this woman have a biopsy on a suspicious 3mm cyct in her breast
http://cancerchat.cancerresearchuk.org/thread/8455

Just fuel for Monday, in case you need it....Again...not trying to scare you, but I know you're concerned, so SOMEONE
in the medical field should at least address your fears.

Hugs, Sweetie...

[TaraF]

Zonny, I've heard so many different stories about biopsies, but mostly it isn't something you would volunteer for lol. Small price to pay for early diagnosis and/or peace of mind though.

Lynn, I'm betting on the fact it is nothing more than a simple cyst, it's just my damn experience with a "cyst" that has me less than secure in such a diagnosis. I think I will just ask at the breast screening centre and see what they say. Nothing ventured nothing gained. Right?

[Zonny]

I had my first mammogram when I was 40 at my doctor's request (that's the age she sends people), which led from the 'scanning' mammogram at the breast health place to the 'diagnostic' mammogram at the hospital, and then the biopsy. I think the comfort of the biopsy is somewhat dependent on its location, for me it was upper outer quadrant, and I was lying down for it. Anticipation and general terror was far worse than the pain! The needles are tiny, compared to my blood donation needles they're nearly invisible. The diagnostic mammogram was worse than the screening one, much more 'squishing' involved, but neither one was very long or had lasting effects.

I'm overdue for another screening and haven't made arrangements for it yet. Maybe I'm just sensitive to squishing - when I donate blood, I mind the blood pressure cuff a lot more than I mind the needle!

[Lynn49]

Zonny, I've heard so many different stories about biopsies, but mostly it isn't something you would volunteer for lol. Small price to pay for early diagnosis and/or peace of mind though.

Lynn, I'm betting on the fact it is nothing more than a simple cyst, it's just my damn experience with a "cyst" that has me less than secure in such a diagnosis. I think I will just ask at the breast screening centre and see what they say. Nothing ventured nothing gained. Right?

Hi, Tara...just wondering what info you may have found at the breast screening centre....thinking of you...

[frugal50]

if your doctor advised you against a biopsy, why on earth would you challenge him? and put yourself through more pain?

take his word, doctors are medical professionals and they're not going to jeopardize their license by giving patients false hope and information.

[TaraF]

Lynn,

I didn't end up stopping by the breast screening centre due to being really pissed off at my nurse I had at the appointment I was there for. I was, and still am livid from my appointment. So I didn't stop by to ask questions. *sighs

frugal,

My Dr has been wrong about things before, or rather pushed me towards drugs when I didn't need them. Last summer he wanted to put me on a beta blocker due to my blood pressure drops. I refused. I pressed to get an Internist and did. The diagnosis? Orthostatic Hypotension. The solution? Higher sodium and caffeine intake, no meds. Just this Friday my Dr was going over my bloodwork and said my cholesterol levels were good, he's still pushing statins on me as "precaution". He even said my Endocrinologist will want to put me on them. I saw my Endocrinologist Monday morning. She said my bloodwork was good, my glucose was controlled and my cholesterol good. The solution? Keep up doing what I'm doing. So just because my Dr says it's ok, I always trust my instincts, go with my gut and will do what I need to in order to have peace of mind.

I think we all should do that. And quite frankly after having your head cracked open and being in pain on a daily basis, a little biopsy would be nothing.

[TaraF]

So my Dr is an idiot. I saw him last week and I mentioned that my breast was hurting where the lump was and that I simply wanted to see a breast specialist. Nope. He said we'll just have to wait until it grows more. Long story short: I called the Breast Screening Centre here in my city and they said because of my age I would need a requisite for a mammogram but considering my history they would recommend I get one. Since my Dr doesn't want to refer me for one I called my Oncology Nurse to see if she could give me some advice. I should have called her sooner.

She said my Oncologist won't give me a requisite since he is a neuro oncologist and this is a breast issue, I said I understood and that's not why I called. She said that Drs obviously don't like giving out tests because of the exposure to radiation however they can't deny you the service, and that all the Dr can do is note in their chart that they have advised you against any test but they can not deny you one. She said with my history and the fact a cyst was discovered that my Dr should have actually sent me for a biopsy.


She went on to say that I should tell him that my Oncology Nurse wants me to have a mammogram and that I should discuss biopsy options with them at the screening centre. My nurse also said if I'm "lucky" the cyst will burst during a mammogram. Oh joy lol My Drs Secretary (and wife) wasn't too happy with me when I called today and relayed my conversation, infact her whole demeanor changed when I said I had just got off the phone with my Oncology Nurse. She refused to tell my Dr a requisite was requested by my Nurse and now I have to go see him on Dec 19. All for me to tell him to refer me. Something I've been asking for the last few months for. It's just so ridiculous.

My Oncology Nurse is great and we had a good conversation, also regarding my seizures which have started up again. She asked m to call her and keep her in the loop of what's happening.

[MrsSunshine]

oh my word Tara.. thats horrible.. sadly its true many Dr's need a good kick in the butt and to be told what to do.. regardless of their own opinion.. mainly because it means they may lose their patient to a referral.
keep your chin up hun.. try to stay positive. hope all goes well on the 19th.

[TaraF]

Thank you MrsSunshine. Like I've said all along, it's probably nothing. It's probably just a cyst, BUT I'd like proper and full protocol followed to determine it is only a cyst. Especially considering my history. I had both the screening centre and my Oncology Nurse tell me today I should have a biopsy, but my nurse said the sad thing is that the medical system and especially the Drs within it, you have to play the game. Which is what I've been playing for a while now. Meh.

[toban]

TaraF I'm sorry your dealing with all of this and a unhelpful doctor.

I also received the runaround for referrals for entirely different problems. I didn't give up, and finally found a doctor who was willing to refer me to a specialist.

I hope your family doctor will refer you, if not I would definitely seek a second opinion. Maybe a walk in clinic will do the requisite? Or if you are currently seeing another type of specialist, maybe they would help?

[Lynn49]

Oh, Tara....more stress is ALL you need, right?! Is there any way you can find another GP? This tandem of dr/wife sounds like some midieval contrivance! I agree with Toban...perhaps a clinic? What about going into emerg with "big" pain, and indicating your lump? Might they persue it considering your history?

Do you have a Nurse Practitioner in your area who can order the tests?
http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/ms/he...onnect/public/

I can only wish you all the best on the 19th, Hon. Prepare yourself with that information (re him not being able to deny your request) from a web-site (I'm not sure which one...a gov't one, perhaps, medical site?) to support what your oncology nurse told you.

Blessings always, Hon....Lynn

[TaraF]

Ahhh Lynn. Dealing with the Drs in this area can be a full time job in it's own. if you have a GP they won't refer you to anyone but rather suggest you speak to your Dr who knows your full history. (Happened with my husband last year)

As for my Drs appointment. Cancelled and rescheduled because he was going on holidays (like he didn't know this when he booked?) rescheduled for Jan 31, received a phone call saying they won't be in that week so now it's Feb 11. As for a Nurse Practitioner, I had one but I left her and you can only get one via referral. She however couldn't even order blood work so I doubt one could refer lol