For Women only...I found a lump in my breast, now what?

[Mickey'sMainMami]

So last night I did my breast exam, and found a lump. I am terrified! My mom was diagnosed 15 years ago with advanced stage breast cancer and died 2.5 years later at the age of 40. I know there have been a lot of technological and medical advances in the fight against breast cancer, and the outcomes of patients today are much better than they used to be, but I am still scared. I just turned 30, I don't have any kids yet, and I am so not ready to face this worst case scenario. I know I am jumping the gun here, it could be nothing right? I have been thru a lot of stuff in my 30 years, seems my family and especially me has a black cloud hanging over my head, so I am pretty used to everything we think will be nothing turning into the worst possible, so I guess I am trying to prepare myself for Cancer.

With that being said, I am going to watch it for a week or so and then if it hasn't gone away, I will go see my doctor. I just got over my period early last week, so maybe it is still just swollen from that. I have lumpy breasts to begin with, so possibly this is just something knew and my body is changing, it doesn't automatically mean it's cancer, right? I had a baseline mammogram when I was 27 or 28, and a clinical breast exam by my doctor in February last year, and I do usually do regular self breast exams, and I also had a few ultrasounds done because of my breasts being so lumpy, but that was quite a few years ago, so I have been keeping a careful watch, but what if I missed this lump before, and it's been there for a while? What if I haven't been good enough at my self breast exam and missed it? That is my fear, my fear is catching the cancer too late like my mom did. The only reason they caught my mom's was because it moved to her bones and she was having hip problems.

The lump is smooth, medium hardish, I wouldn't say it feels like a rock or anything, but is is large, probably bigger than a kidney/lima bean. I would say it's almost like a golf ball cut in half, but maybe not as large, and it seems to be more oval than round. It is on the upper left side of my left breast.

Obviously, I know everyone is going to tell me to go see a doctor, and I will call next week to get an appointment, no worry there, I am not about to let this thing go, but does anyone have anything they can tell me to eaze my mind a little bit? Any prayers would be appreciated. Thanks for listening.

 

[Christine]

First off, I will say that it would be unusual for it to be cancer at this point in your life. Certainly, breast cancer at such a young age is not unheard of--it does happen, but right now, even with your mom's history the odds are in your favor.

Having said that, the time when your breasts are the BEST to check are approximately 9 days after the start of your last period. Your OP indicates that you are probably right in the timeframe, so I am doubting that you are still swollen from your period. Most breast swelling due to periods occurs a week prior to the period and only up to about 3 days after the start of the period. By the time you finish your period, you are as about as "unswollen" as you can get.

I actually think you should call your doctor's office today and schedule an appointment. Not because I'm terrified for you but because it sometimes can take a week or more just to get in and get it checked. Then it's another week to schedule to mammogram and so on.

I think if you call today, you can probably get in for next week. If the lump disappears in the meantime, then cancel. But I don't think you should put it off because you are only going to make yourself sick with worry.

 

[crz4mm2]

I would get to your doctor for an exam and a mammo.... With your family history, this is the SAFEST way to proceed.
It is probably, most likely, nothing (a cyst) but it still needs to be checked out.

Good luck to you

 

[Pop Daddy]

get to a Doctor to make sure, you will feel better

 

[bigbabyblues]

I would call the dr office today and at least ask. I found one when I was pregnant and had an ultrasound (no mammogram while pg) and it turned out to be nothing.

That said, please call and see the doctor/have the tests done. It's better to go and get it overwith, you can't be too early in checking on this.

 

[THE HAT]

I would call today and talk with your Dr.'s office, I am sure it is nothing, but all new lumps should be checked out. Like a previous poster said, if it goes away you can always cancel.
Also--go to the Gagwta thread, they helped me more then I can say, when I had a lump last year. (thank god it was nothing) They are full of support, and helpful information. They are some of the bravest women I have ever "met" on that thread!
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=810357

Prayers said for you...please keep us updated!

 

[Breezy_Carol]

When I had a lump, my doctor wanted me in that day. It ended up being a cyst and I didn't have to do anything.

I would call your doctor today and not wait a week.

 

[Tantor]

I would call the Dr. today just so you can sleep at night. If it was me I'd be up worrying.

 

[bjgrazi]

Don't wait, I had a friend who waited, the lump to her feel didn't do anything, it was growing inward, so she didn't know.

Go to the Dr. If it worries you enough to post here, go to the Dr. don't wait.

 

[DebbieB]

I agree, I would call today and get an appt, no sense sitting and worrying. I had a hard lump one time that turned out to be a cyst but it took months to disappear.

 

[SC Minnie]

When I had a lump, my doctor wanted me in that day. It ended up being a cyst and I didn't have to do anything.

I would call your doctor today and not wait a week.

Same thing happened to me when I was 32. I found it on a Fri night and had to worry all weekend before I could call the Dr on Mon. They got me in the next morning. She checked it and waited a week and checked it again. It turned out to be a cyst but I had it removed anyway.

I would call you Dr this morning. Let them check it out. With your family history I would absolutely not wait one more day much less a week. Better to go and it be a cyst than not and it be something much worse.

 

[Alesia]

Make an appointment with your doctor today!

There is a really strong chance that it is nothing, but you won't get a decent night's sleep until you find out.

 

[lovemygoofy]

I hope you call the doctor today. If you wait a week to contact the doctor, it could be another week after that until you get an appt for the mammogram and ultrasound.

I just had my first mammogram and ultrasound last month. I found a lump and they said they are "unsure" about it because it's almost under my army near a lymph node. I was freaking out myself because all you hear if it gets to the lymph node then it's pretty bad.


You are doing the right thing by doing your self exams and now you need to do the right thing by calling the doctor. Do it for your peace of mind. You are already worried about the lump and you worrying for another week doesn't need to happen. I hope it turns out to be nothing.

 

[#1MMFan]

Hi, I'm going to break your rule by replying as a guy and medic. I had a lady come from the US who had had a breast lump for a few years. She'd had it mammogramed, and indeed she was a little older than you, but she was told the mammogram was fine.
When she came to me with the lump ongoing as a little side-issue (not the reason for the consultation) we arranged for her to be referred and have an ultrasound. The reason being that in this country, mammograms are not seeing as being as accurate in younger women (pre-40ish). The breast tissue is usually too dense to discern individual abnormalities. That lady turned out to have a cancer and was incredibly lucky given the amount of time that had elapsed since her inaccurate mammogram in the US. Thank God she thought to mention it again.
I would always say 1. go to your doctor, 2. make sure you have the appropriate test for your age, 3. highlight your family history and your other gynae/obstetric history, 4. Don't think the worst, but do act promptly.

 

[mickeyboat]

Yes yes yes, call your doctor today! I hope it is nothing, but you can never be too careful. The worst that can happen is that it goes away and you have to cancel your appointment.

Sending lots of positive thoughts your way!

Denae

 

[Mickey'sMainMami]

Thanks for all the replies, even from the guys! (I really only wrote the women only thing, because I felt bad for the guys, I know a lot are squemish when dealing with periods and such )

Anyway, I did call the doctor and they are going to see me at 3:10 on Monday. I don't want to sound stupid, but I have a good feeling about it. I do breast exams every month, and although I am not perfect and a little worried that maybe this lump could have been here for some time and I just missed it, I don't think it's anything to be worried about. I am of course taking all your advice and seeing the doctor pronto, but I guess there is no use worrying right now until I see what the doctor says, so why stress myself out. This is actually an unusual attitudle for me, I am sooo the worry wort. I usually always think worst case scenario and then thankfully so far (knock on wood) it turns out to be nothing. Maybe I should be worried this time since I don't have a bad feeling! Let's hope not.

I am glad I have been on top of things though, I did have an ultrasound when I had my last mammogram, as they told me the same thing, that Mammograms aren't really helpful for younger women do to breast tissue,, but since it is so close to the surface where I can feel it, I am hoping that the Mammogram would have caught something suspiscous. Who knows. I did do some research online and was looking at the different type of lumps and mine feels closer to fibroid or a cyst. I will feel soooo much better once I hear what the doctor says. I will let you all know what she says, and also what they plan to do next, as I am sure they will order an ultrasound. Thanks for all the advice!

 

[SC Minnie]

With mine they did an ultrasound initially and again to recheck.

I hope it only turns out to be a cyst. You can't be too careful with your health. Please keep us posted.

 

[Feralpeg]

Not to scare you, but I had breast cancer at age 31. Do call your doctor. Don't try to rationalize it away. That being said, it could very well be a cyst. They are much more common than breast cancer. By the way, it has been 24 years since my cancer was discovered and I'm still going strong.

Get yourself checked out. Not knowing is the scariest. I'll be thinking about you!