breast lump

[hugabearjo]

I went in for my annual exam today, and my MD found a pea size lump in my left breast, she said it was movable and not fixed. I have no family history of breast cancer so it never crossed my mind. Now I am more scared then I ever thought I would be. I will have a mammogram and ultrasound next week but, I keep imagining the worst.

Please disfamily help me through this. What else could it be??? the fact that it isn't fixed is good right?

Thanks
Jo

 

[dino mom]

I have had 2 lumps (I'm 41). The first was a blocked milk duct that they excised. The second was a benign cyst. I don't know my family history as I am adopted and they didn't ask those questions 40 years ago. I do know that a lot of cysts/ lumps turn out to be benign (not cancer). Think good thoughts and try not to panic (it's hard I know). If the Doc was suspecting the worst for sure they would send you for a biopsy and not a mammogram (I had this happen the second time). I hope this helps a little (the best help will be when the doc says it is nothing). Hang in there. Here's a wish upon a star for you.

 

[ChristusG]

I know it is easier said than done, but dont immediately worry. When I was about 20 years old (I'm 28 now) I found just about the same thing that you seem to have. I found it by a self examination. It was about the size of a pea, and also moveable like yours.

Yes, I immediately went into worry mode. I saw my OB/GYN about it. They referred me to a Women's Health specialist to look further into it. They determined that whatever it was, it would be better to be removed since you never know about these things. They told me that even something benign could cause problems/grow larger during things like pregnancy/etc (I did not have children yet at that time).

The surgery was very simple. It was outpatient, using local anesthesia, so I was awake. Mine was not very far into my breast.

Turns out it was a benign fibrous nodule. The doctor was able to tell me that immediately upon removing it. It healed nicely, you can barely see the small less than one inch scar. I did not even need any pain meds that night, just some Tylenol.

I'm hoping this is the same for you! They may even tell you that they are just going to monitor it for a little while and watch the growth if they suspect it is benign.

 

[eeyorefan74]

You're doing the right thing in getting it thoroughly checked out, and yes, it is a good sign that it's not fixed. About 80% of lumps turn out to be benign, so those are pretty good odds. I'm a breast cancer survivor, and there's a great thread of ladies on the Community Board who are, too. I'd bet this lump is nothing, but even if it turns out to be, it's not the end of the world. I'll say a prayer for you for good results.

 

[Belle4mygrl]

I went in for my annual exam today, and my MD found a pea size lump in my left breast, she said it was movable and not fixed. I have no family history of breast cancer so it never crossed my mind. Now I am more scared then I ever thought I would be. I will have a mammogram and ultrasound next week but, I keep imagining the worst.

Please disfamily help me through this. What else could it be??? the fact that it isn't fixed is good right?

Thanks
Jo

I wish I had the answer for you. But I can send prayers and good thoughts.

 

[RMulieri]

It really could be nothing at all..I have polycystic breasts and find lumps all the time....It is not fixed and that is a very good sign.The worst part is all the waiting, you will get thru it all no matter what it is! Hugs and prayers.

 

[perkinsrose]

It really could be nothing at all..I have polycystic breasts and find lumps all the time....It is not fixed and that is a very good sign.The worst part is all the waiting, you will get thru it all no matter what it is! Hugs and prayers.

Ditto. I tend to be polycystic. I saw a new OB and he found a suspicious lump and sent me for a mammogram & ultrasound around age 33. I stressed myself out for nothing. Even if they want to drain or biopsy it, likely to be harmless. Think positive!

 

[Jakesmom504]

I have the same thing, found it on my own and it's also not fixed. When I did what your not supposed to do and looked it up a million times online it said if it grows and shrinks with your periods then it's most likely a cyst. I started paying closer attention to it and that's exactly what happened. There are times when it gets so small I can hardly feel it at all. I've had it for awhile (stupid I know) but I go back to my GYN on Monday so I'll bring it up to him then. We leave for WDW on Sat and I've got other issues as well so I'm hoping he doesn't tell me there are things I need to get done before our trip. It doesn't leave me much time. I know it's hard, trust me, I'm going through the same thing with worrying about my other issues however try not to worry yourself sick. Of course your going to be concerned and that's normal but your very smart for taking control early and not "waiting to see what happens." Good Luck, sending you some pixie dust!

 

[SandrainNC]

I have fiborcystic disease so I have a lot of movable lumps. I know it is hard, but try not to worry. I had an ultrasound at around 18 and I had my first mammogram at 36 (and don't have to go back until I am 40) just to get a baseline mammogram done. I will say a prayer for you to have a good test result. My sister also has to get them done every 6 months. She has a lot of calcium in there or something. So hers was calcium deposits.

Sandra

 

[hugabearjo]

Thank you for the support, I need it so badly. I am trying hard not to worry, not doing a very good job of it right now.

Part of it is timing I am sure, I too leave on Sat. for WDW. I am so looking forward to the trip. I too have other worries right now. If you are praying please also pray for my 14 year old son who has a tumor on his foot. We see the specialist for that on Wed. and are hoping for answers so far all the doctors but, one who wasn't a specialist scratch their head and say, hum.... I don't know. His we can't tell if it is fixed or not because it is under a tendon on the top outer part of his foot. I guess with all the "Lump" scares right now I just am on overload. Then with leaving on Sat. ugh....

Thank you for listening to my concerns. I am truly thankful for my dis family.

Jakesmom504-I will be praying for you as well, we can go through this together, I will pray both of ours turn out to be nothing.

Thanks again everyone, I will try hard not to worry about it until I know more.

Jo

 

[Aliceacc]

You're talking the story of my summer.

Up to this point, I've had a mammo, a sonogram, a biopsy and surgery since school ended in June. Thank God, it's not cancer.

(Though mine, since it's so large-- we're talking grapefruit sized-- will require a mastectomy. But that's OK-- as long as I'll be around to see my kids grow up, I can live with, as the plastic surgeon put it "eternally youthful breasts.")

The one piece of really good news I can give you is that nothing so far has hurt at all. I cried through the biopsy (on my 19th wedding anniversary no less) out of fear; it really didn't hurt at all. So, while I can't give you a clean bill of health, I can tell you not to worry about that aspect of it. Even the surgery really didn't hurt; the worst of it was that *&%! needle they use for the IV.

Moveable is GOOD. And, as my sister said when she heard of my issues: "Nothing cancels Disney."

So try very hard to think of other things, like Disney. We'll all get through this and be around this time next year planning another vacation!

 

[kjs1976]

First of all, let me say my prayers and thoughts are with you and your son.

I'm glad you'll be going to WDW soon because it sounds like you will need the vacation and to be in a happy place!

I found a lump this Feb. just days before I had to go back to work after having my daughter. I freaked out and every worse case scenerio went through my head. I got an ultrasound done two days later and found out it was a benigh cyst. They told me it should go away and a few months later, it did. I then found out my mom and great aunt had them too. I know what you're going through and it sucks, but know that you have a lot of support here and a lot of support and help in the medical community. And prayer works wonders!!!!!

 

[RachelNinja]

I'll be keeping you and your son in my prayers!

I found a lump last year when I was 22. It was long and it hurt. I went to get all the tests done and it actually didn't show up in anything. But the doctors could all feel it. My breast surgeon measured it to be 8cm and it didn't change in size except for increased pain around my period.

She didn't expect it to be anything, but because of the pain, I had it surgically removed (only a few months after I had had my gallbladder removed so I was kind of upset with the thought of another surgery). I have a bunch of health issues so I was thinking, "Seriously? I'm going to have cancer too?" The thoughts can really take over. But thankfully it turned out to be nothing, just hardened tissue.

It's really amazing to see how many other women have experienced breast issues. Such a community of support here! But the best thing you can do and your doctor can do is to just find these things early. I hope that yours will be resolved happily and you'll wonderfully healthy!

Please do enjoy WDW! Let the pixie dust take over

 

[ScrapperBelle]

I also had something like what you are describing years ago. My GYN didn't think it was "anything to worry about, we'll wait and see what happens.". Well, my mom insisted on going to a surgeon and I was lucky that he took it very seriously and removed it quickly.

It did turn out to be benign, but it was growing back into my breast tissue (the small pea sized lump you could feel was only a small part of it). My surgeon told me that it was just a good idea to remove it because so many things like pregnancy and hormone fluctuations can influence their growth.

Hopefully, it won't be anything for you to worry about. My prayers are with you. Best of luck to you.

 

[raysnkaysmom]

I also had that in my early 20s......The mammogram was inconclusive (probably because I didnt' have enough to grab...lol)... they said it may be a cyst? I went back 2 weeks later for another...and it turned out to be a blocked milk duct... Which amazed me, because my daughter was almost 3 and I never breast fed!

But...I do have breast cancer in my family....so its always better safe than sorry!!

Keep us updated....it can be so many things...

 

[hugabearjo]

thanks guys, I really need the pick me up of knowing that I am not alone. I am hoping that I can get in next week before we go for the mammogram and ultrasound.

The encouragement of knowing that you all are here and have been or are where I am is so comforting. Thanks for the prayers. I will let you know Monday when I can schedule my mammogram.

Thanks again.

Keep smiling-
Jo

 

[crisi]

Best of luck. Make sure to follow through - and know as well that even pea sized lumps that aren't benign are darn survivable nowadays. I wish you the best possible outcome (its a harmless cyst), but my sister is doing great a year after a mascetomy, chemo and radition.

 

[Jakesmom504]

Thank you for the support, I need it so badly. I am trying hard not to worry, not doing a very good job of it right now.

Part of it is timing I am sure, I too leave on Sat. for WDW. I am so looking forward to the trip. I too have other worries right now. If you are praying please also pray for my 14 year old son who has a tumor on his foot. We see the specialist for that on Wed. and are hoping for answers so far all the doctors but, one who wasn't a specialist scratch their head and say, hum.... I don't know. His we can't tell if it is fixed or not because it is under a tendon on the top outer part of his foot. I guess with all the "Lump" scares right now I just am on overload. Then with leaving on Sat. ugh....

Thank you for listening to my concerns. I am truly thankful for my dis family.

Jakesmom504-I will be praying for you as well, we can go through this together, I will pray both of ours turn out to be nothing.

Thanks again everyone, I will try hard not to worry about it until I know more.


Oh my goodness, you have so much going on right now! I really feel for you! I will definitely say a prayer for your son too. I hope he's ok. Thanks for the prayers too. I had been putting things off so now I'm kind of panicking that maybe I shouldn't have waited so long. I go tomorrow so I guess I'll find out soon enough.

On a lighter note, where are you staying? My family needs this trip so badly right now so we are thrilled that it's only a week away! Sounds like yours does as well!

 

[Snowy-girls]

Fingers crossed for you.Take care.x.

 

[drcbpearce]

I just have to send you some warm thoughts and to add to the chorus when I say don't yet. I found a lump the size of a pea, seems to be going around, when I was in my early 20's. PANIC set in. Thankfully, back in the 'old day's, late 80's, we didn't have this wonderful tool to scare ourselves silly with, so I couldn't search all the heinous things it could be. Nevertheless, i was and I had out patient surgery to have it removed. The test came back negative for cancer, it was a fibrous cyst. So, please please please, keep a attitude until the docs tell you otherwise. And whatever you do, DON'T SURF THE WEB looking up all the terrible things it might be. Think of what it might NOT be! Good luck and to you. You're not alone