a question for those who have had breast cancer

[MelindaKiah]

If this is too personal, I definitely understand. I just didn't know where else to ask.

My best friend called me tonight, very upset. She thinks she feels a lump in her breast. She will be making an appt with her doctor, of course. But I was just wondering if anyone could maybe give me, and then I her, a little insight into what exactly you felt that made you go to your doctor. Was it an obvious lump, a bit of thickening, did it move, was it painful....

anything anyone would be willing to share would be most appreciated.

 

[Feralpeg]

Sorry, I didn't see this thread earlier.

When I found my lump, it was an obvious lump. It was very hard and really didn't move around. It was not painful at all. It was malignant.

From what I've read, most of the time, cancerous lumps are not painful.

I hope everything turns out okay for your friend. If it turns out to be cancer, please let her know that breast cancer is not always the end. I had my surgery 22 years ago. I'm still going strong!

I'll say a prayer for your friend!

 

[dixipixi]

I found a lump in my breast when I was 18. It felt like a bean under my skin. It really didn't move around, and it did not hurt.

My mom went with me to the gynecologist and he didn't act like it was anything to be concerned with. He took one of those, "you're really young, let's wait and see" attitudes.

Well, my mom wasn't happy with that at all (her mom had breast cancer and a radical mastectomy in the early '70's). So she took me to see the surgeon that had operated on Grandma (he managed to get everything in surgery and she never had radiation or chemo and completely recovered). Needless to say, we had a lot of faith in him.

He decided to operate within a week. They made a small incision and removed the lump (which turned out to be much larger than anyone thought).

It turned out to be benign and I've been fine ever since then (almost 20 yrs. now). The surgeon said we did the right thing because sometimes hormones and other body changes can really affect the growth and status of these things.

My advice would be to see her dr. and if she doesn't like the answer she gets, seek another opinion. I'm very glad I did.

My thoughts and prayers will be with your friend. I hope everything goes well for her and it really turns out to be nothing.

Sorry this was so long, I just didn't know how to shorten the story any more than this!