Aa
Glad I found this forum but....
Hello all. I am a 48 yr. old female who about 8 months ago went to a GP for my physical, pap, breast exam etc. The dr. felt a palpaple lump on right breast (as I had before) and as I was due anyway for a mammogram, we went ahead with scheduling a mamm and ultrasound on lump. Both came back negative so I sort of "forgot " about it and chalked it up to hormonal changes etc. It wasn't until just a couple months ago, I started "feeling" it again before, during and after my cycle. In other words, it's there, it hasn;'t gone anywhere. Went and saw dr. at same practice but different dr. and I told him about the lump and he was VERY concerned right off the bat and said. "If you have a lump in your breast that's been there for that long, it needs to be evaluated right away. He said he has seen negative results of mamm's and US before that ended up with cancer anyway. He want's to go ahead and schedule with breast specialist for excisional biopsy . He believe's it's the best approach and will "eliminate the middle steps" so to speak. Wow! I wasn't expecting that! I really expected him to say that if I "WANTED to, we could refer you and maybe order more images before sending me to specialist. So, I have an appt. next Tues. 10th and we shall see. I should also mention that this lump in approx. pea size, hard, doesn't hurt, seems to be getting bigger, and I recently felt what I THINK is a swollen lymph node in LEFT groin ! My mom passed away from Non Hogkins Lymphoma 5 yrs. ago. My brother was diagnosed with MS 3 yrs. ago and so I am naturally getting scared. Anyone have any thoughts to add? I sure would appreciate it.
Best Answer
Hi,
Usually when a solid lump is felt in the breast,doctors recommend removing it,particularly when a woman reaches the age of 40.
Normally a lump is biopsied first,but since it's better to have the lump removed because of your age,in my opinion,I think that it's preferable to go through one procedure instead of two.
I think that your doctor is being vigilant and is taking very good care of you by suggesting the removal of this lump.
This pea size nodule could very well be a fibroadenoma or other benign growth,but it's impossible to guess the exact nature of this lump until it's excised and examined by a pathologist to rule out cancer.
I know that this must be worrying you, as it does worry most of us when we feel a lump in our breast...But keep in mind that most lumps are found to be benign in nature and I sure hope that your results will be benign also.
Wishing you all the best and good luck!.
Usually when a solid lump is felt in the breast,doctors recommend removing it,particularly when a woman reaches the age of 40.
Normally a lump is biopsied first,but since it's better to have the lump removed because of your age,in my opinion,I think that it's preferable to go through one procedure instead of two.
I think that your doctor is being vigilant and is taking very good care of you by suggesting the removal of this lump.
This pea size nodule could very well be a fibroadenoma or other benign growth,but it's impossible to guess the exact nature of this lump until it's excised and examined by a pathologist to rule out cancer.
I know that this must be worrying you, as it does worry most of us when we feel a lump in our breast...But keep in mind that most lumps are found to be benign in nature and I sure hope that your results will be benign also.
Wishing you all the best and good luck!.
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Statistically, most biopsies end up with benign results. If it helps to make you feel a little better, I've had excisional biopsies on both breast in 5 different areas over the past six years and only the last one in Oct.'09 found LCIS. I always preferred one procedure over two, because if it was cancer, I'd need it out anyway. The LCIS puts me at high risk so now I get screened every six months. After each one I'm a little scared, but I know even the small percentage who end up with breast cancer diagnoses have every reason to be hopeful. Most are caught at an early stage and are highly treatable. The breast specialist should be able to provide more information regarding your lump and the excision will let you know 100% what you're dealing with. You can't deal with "what if's" - you can only deal with "what is", so wait until you know what is and go from there, OK? Personally, I believe all the "what ifs" are way worse than knowing what is. Good luck with your excision and let us know the outcome if you wish. Just try to take one step at a time and try not to think too far ahead.
Hoping for benign results for you and sending you a big hug ( ),
nc