DangerGirl1979
03-21-2003, 06:54 PM
hello,
i was wondering if people could share their experiences with breast cancer scares or if they have normal lumps in their breasts. my doc noticed a lump, and i had to go in for a follow-up right after my period started to see if it shrunk, which it did not, so now i have to go in for an ultrasound (this tuesday) to see what it is. my mothers aunt on her paternal side had breast cancer, but thats it. I am kind of worried, but trying to remain calm, since worrying wont really do anything for the situation!
oh by the way, i am only 23- does age matter when considering risk factors for breast cancer?
[This message has been edited by DangerGirl1979 (edited 03-21-2003).]
i was wondering if people could share their experiences with breast cancer scares or if they have normal lumps in their breasts. my doc noticed a lump, and i had to go in for a follow-up right after my period started to see if it shrunk, which it did not, so now i have to go in for an ultrasound (this tuesday) to see what it is. my mothers aunt on her paternal side had breast cancer, but thats it. I am kind of worried, but trying to remain calm, since worrying wont really do anything for the situation!
oh by the way, i am only 23- does age matter when considering risk factors for breast cancer?
[This message has been edited by DangerGirl1979 (edited 03-21-2003).]
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karengirl
04-01-2003, 10:41 PM
I am 32 and I found a lump in my left breast that did not show on a mamogram but did show on a ultrosound. I went to 3 different surgeons that kept telling me that it was nothing. They said I was to young to worry about it and that it was probably a fibroid cyst. I finally went to another surgeon and he took it out and sure enough it was cancer and I also had 7 lymph nodes that were positive. I had 6 rounds of chemo and 35 radiations. my advise it have it removed just to make sure. You will not be at ease unless you do. I wish you luck. I have 3 young boy's and I do worry about it coming back but I try to have a good attitude and I have faith in God.
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karen
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karen
nville1
04-03-2003, 08:46 PM
Howdy
I was 35 ('bout 10 years ago) when I had my first screening mammogram. I was told all was "normal", but they wanted me to have it repeated in 6 months, that there was just "something" they wanted to look at later. No lump or anything palpable. No family history of breast Ca.
Well, I wanted to see a copy of the report, and they got all squirrely about letting me see it. They had me come in and the doctor at first "explained" it to me. It seems there were microcalcifications, he told me it was nothing to worry about, that i was young, etc. I still wanted to READ THE REPORT. So he let me, and I almost fainted, the wording was bad, it said
I had suspicious cluster of microcalcifications, and they could not "rule out malignancy".
I demanded a referral to a breast surgeon. I was given an appt to pacify me. The breast surgeon also told me that they just have to word the report that way to cover their a@@'s, nothing to worry about. However, I am the worlds worst hypochondriac, and I said, it is my body, and I want a biopsy. So a biopsy was done, and I was diagnosed with microinvasive ductal Ca, just beginning to invade outside the ducts.
I wanted it out, I wanted it all out, so I had a mastectomy and got the fantastic news that all nodes were negative! No chemo, no nothing.
2 years later, I had the other breast off after new clusters of microcalcifications started appearing. I just wanted it all to be over, no more worrying about it. I had great reconstructive work done, there are people who have changed with me in the locker room and they don't even know I have had double mastectomies.
10 years later, I am glad I did what I did, that I stood up for myself and insisted on a biopsy. If I was wrong and it was nothing, hey, its just a little scar. But if it WAS cancer and I did nothing, I would have had positive nodes and a very different outcome.
That's my story. I was terrified at first, but now I just feel courageous and free.
I was 35 ('bout 10 years ago) when I had my first screening mammogram. I was told all was "normal", but they wanted me to have it repeated in 6 months, that there was just "something" they wanted to look at later. No lump or anything palpable. No family history of breast Ca.
Well, I wanted to see a copy of the report, and they got all squirrely about letting me see it. They had me come in and the doctor at first "explained" it to me. It seems there were microcalcifications, he told me it was nothing to worry about, that i was young, etc. I still wanted to READ THE REPORT. So he let me, and I almost fainted, the wording was bad, it said
I had suspicious cluster of microcalcifications, and they could not "rule out malignancy".
I demanded a referral to a breast surgeon. I was given an appt to pacify me. The breast surgeon also told me that they just have to word the report that way to cover their a@@'s, nothing to worry about. However, I am the worlds worst hypochondriac, and I said, it is my body, and I want a biopsy. So a biopsy was done, and I was diagnosed with microinvasive ductal Ca, just beginning to invade outside the ducts.
I wanted it out, I wanted it all out, so I had a mastectomy and got the fantastic news that all nodes were negative! No chemo, no nothing.
2 years later, I had the other breast off after new clusters of microcalcifications started appearing. I just wanted it all to be over, no more worrying about it. I had great reconstructive work done, there are people who have changed with me in the locker room and they don't even know I have had double mastectomies.
10 years later, I am glad I did what I did, that I stood up for myself and insisted on a biopsy. If I was wrong and it was nothing, hey, its just a little scar. But if it WAS cancer and I did nothing, I would have had positive nodes and a very different outcome.
That's my story. I was terrified at first, but now I just feel courageous and free.
Kalie
04-17-2003, 11:57 AM
Hi Dangergirl,
How did your ultrasound turn out? Age is a factor in determining breast cancer risk, but it shouldn't be the only factor considered. I was diagnosed with stage II breast cancer at 25 (I'm 26 now). Always, always, always look out for yourself. If a doctor tells you not to worry about something and you still feel uncomfortable about it, go to another doctor. Demand another test.
I hope I don't sound preachy. It's just that if I had listened to my first 2 doctors I probably wouldn't have been diagnosed until my cancer was in one of the late stages. I'm alive because I forced the Dr's to catch it early.
How did your ultrasound turn out? Age is a factor in determining breast cancer risk, but it shouldn't be the only factor considered. I was diagnosed with stage II breast cancer at 25 (I'm 26 now). Always, always, always look out for yourself. If a doctor tells you not to worry about something and you still feel uncomfortable about it, go to another doctor. Demand another test.
I hope I don't sound preachy. It's just that if I had listened to my first 2 doctors I probably wouldn't have been diagnosed until my cancer was in one of the late stages. I'm alive because I forced the Dr's to catch it early.
DangerGirl1979
04-17-2003, 12:56 PM
Well the ultrasound came out saying that it was just an increase in density of tissue. just fatty stuff i guess. i am not worried about it at all, mainly because i have exams and dont need another stressor! and also because i am going travelling for a few months so i cant be bothered! i really think its nothing. it hasnt changed in size or prominence in the past 2 months or so and doesnt hurt or anything. so i am just going to leave it alone because i think its really nothing. but thanks for asking!
nursekat
08-18-2003, 02:50 PM
I was wondering if you ladies could help me talk about my worries.
Have you ever heard of somebody with a negative lump biopsy that developed a malignancy? I had a lump biopsied three years ago - then it was one small pea sized lump and now I have two, much larger lumps and general lumpiness around them. I went to a doctor a year ago to have it rechecked and he wouldn't even do another ultrasound - I'm 26 now and he said I was too young and if the biopsy was negative, then the ultrasound would just be a waste of money and he would just take it out if I wanted. I didn't go back to him, and haven't gone to try another doctor - I was too scared I would get the same response.
My new job's insurance doesn't kick in for a couple of months and I'm finding it hard to wait - I'm starting to worry about it more and want to get it figured out! I just didn't know if something that was originally considered benign could change or if maybe biopsies aren't 100% accurate.
Have you ever heard of somebody with a negative lump biopsy that developed a malignancy? I had a lump biopsied three years ago - then it was one small pea sized lump and now I have two, much larger lumps and general lumpiness around them. I went to a doctor a year ago to have it rechecked and he wouldn't even do another ultrasound - I'm 26 now and he said I was too young and if the biopsy was negative, then the ultrasound would just be a waste of money and he would just take it out if I wanted. I didn't go back to him, and haven't gone to try another doctor - I was too scared I would get the same response.
My new job's insurance doesn't kick in for a couple of months and I'm finding it hard to wait - I'm starting to worry about it more and want to get it figured out! I just didn't know if something that was originally considered benign could change or if maybe biopsies aren't 100% accurate.
Kalie
08-19-2003, 03:59 PM
Hi nursekat,
We are the same age -- it seems that you are having a similar experience to mine. I'm sorry to hear that. I had Dr's turn me away, refuse to do tests, etc. DEMAND an ultrasound. If your current Dr won't write the script for it, go see another one. If the ultrasound shows that the mass isn't fluid filled you should have another biopsy.
As far as biopsies go, this is what I learned through my experience with cancer; a lump can be comprised of several different types of cells. Part of the lump may be benign, part precancer (DCIS), and part may be invasive cancer. Because of this, core needle biopsies, although less invasive, are less accurate. The needle may have sampled a part of the tumor that is benign while a mm to the right there are invasive cancer cells. Because of this potential issue my surgeon performed a lumpectomy and had my entire lump biopsied. Guess what? Mixture of DCIS and invasion! It's possible that I could have undergone less aggressive (and less effective) treatment b/c of flawed biopsy results with a core needle.
Just because this is my experience doesn't mean you have cancer -- I hope I don't sound like the angle of death or anything! I just can't stress enough that we really need to look out for ourselves as patients. I think that young women have to be even more diligent due to Drs' tendencies to turn us away b/c we're "too young to have breast cancer". Although it's more unlikely, it's not impossible.
Pursue it! Don't let anyone tell you everything is ok without proving it first. You'll feel so much better when you know for sure that you're ok!
We are the same age -- it seems that you are having a similar experience to mine. I'm sorry to hear that. I had Dr's turn me away, refuse to do tests, etc. DEMAND an ultrasound. If your current Dr won't write the script for it, go see another one. If the ultrasound shows that the mass isn't fluid filled you should have another biopsy.
As far as biopsies go, this is what I learned through my experience with cancer; a lump can be comprised of several different types of cells. Part of the lump may be benign, part precancer (DCIS), and part may be invasive cancer. Because of this, core needle biopsies, although less invasive, are less accurate. The needle may have sampled a part of the tumor that is benign while a mm to the right there are invasive cancer cells. Because of this potential issue my surgeon performed a lumpectomy and had my entire lump biopsied. Guess what? Mixture of DCIS and invasion! It's possible that I could have undergone less aggressive (and less effective) treatment b/c of flawed biopsy results with a core needle.
Just because this is my experience doesn't mean you have cancer -- I hope I don't sound like the angle of death or anything! I just can't stress enough that we really need to look out for ourselves as patients. I think that young women have to be even more diligent due to Drs' tendencies to turn us away b/c we're "too young to have breast cancer". Although it's more unlikely, it's not impossible.
Pursue it! Don't let anyone tell you everything is ok without proving it first. You'll feel so much better when you know for sure that you're ok!
Gemini
08-21-2003, 11:58 PM
Hello,
Wow, it is interesting because I had a diagnostic mammogram + ultrasound done last week because I thought I had felt something in my right breast along w/a good deal of pain. Supposedly, when I was at the imaging center, the results of the mammo were normal but they still wanted to do the ultrasound. Turns out the ultrasound of the area that was bothering me the most was ok but the technician said the radiologist wanted her to scan the outer side of my right breast.
She was quiet for a while and then she said she wanted to show the radiologist the ultrasound because she saw something on the image, she said it looked like "ducts" but she wasn't sure. She came back and said I should return in 6 months. I was nervous after all that and of course couldn't stop thinking about this. Also, I was in pain for 5 days beyond when I had the mammogram & ultrasound and actually the area that was suspicious on the ultrasound has been a painful area along w/the other spot.
I received a letter yesterday stating that there appeared to be no areas of cancer on the films but that I should return in 6 months for a repeat mammogram and to evaluate an "area of concern". Well I called my gynecologist's office and spoke w/her and she told me my mammogram showed I have very dense breasts and that if I was still concerned I should see the surgeon and have him do a full breast exam. I will be seeing him in 2 wks and really am concerned about this.
I am 33 yrs old and have never had children. I have read that cancer can show in the ducts a lot so I hope and pray everything is okay. I am prone to cysts so maybe that is all it is. What do you think of this?? I'd appreciate any insight.
Sue
Wow, it is interesting because I had a diagnostic mammogram + ultrasound done last week because I thought I had felt something in my right breast along w/a good deal of pain. Supposedly, when I was at the imaging center, the results of the mammo were normal but they still wanted to do the ultrasound. Turns out the ultrasound of the area that was bothering me the most was ok but the technician said the radiologist wanted her to scan the outer side of my right breast.
She was quiet for a while and then she said she wanted to show the radiologist the ultrasound because she saw something on the image, she said it looked like "ducts" but she wasn't sure. She came back and said I should return in 6 months. I was nervous after all that and of course couldn't stop thinking about this. Also, I was in pain for 5 days beyond when I had the mammogram & ultrasound and actually the area that was suspicious on the ultrasound has been a painful area along w/the other spot.
I received a letter yesterday stating that there appeared to be no areas of cancer on the films but that I should return in 6 months for a repeat mammogram and to evaluate an "area of concern". Well I called my gynecologist's office and spoke w/her and she told me my mammogram showed I have very dense breasts and that if I was still concerned I should see the surgeon and have him do a full breast exam. I will be seeing him in 2 wks and really am concerned about this.
I am 33 yrs old and have never had children. I have read that cancer can show in the ducts a lot so I hope and pray everything is okay. I am prone to cysts so maybe that is all it is. What do you think of this?? I'd appreciate any insight.
Sue
Kalie
08-22-2003, 05:43 PM
It seems to me that your Dr has been quite thorough in running all the tests. My cancer was ductal carcinoma, so I can vouch that it can appear in the ducts, but that doesn't mean you have cancer.
You could request an MRI to continue the non-invasive testing. My MRI showed every little speck of cancer in my breast. I'm not a Dr, but from my experience, it sounds like everything your Dr has suggested is reasonable. There doesn't seem to be any need to proceed with something as invasive as a biopsy just yet.
As hard as it is, try not to worry about it, but keep on top of the testing. Make sure you go back in 6 months. I hope all is well!
You could request an MRI to continue the non-invasive testing. My MRI showed every little speck of cancer in my breast. I'm not a Dr, but from my experience, it sounds like everything your Dr has suggested is reasonable. There doesn't seem to be any need to proceed with something as invasive as a biopsy just yet.
As hard as it is, try not to worry about it, but keep on top of the testing. Make sure you go back in 6 months. I hope all is well!
Gemini
08-24-2003, 02:31 AM
Well I read my mammogram and ultrasound report and I am concerned about both. The mammogram report states that there is some asymmetry in the lateral tissues of my right breast and that further eval. w/ultrasound is recommended.
The Ultrasound report stated that there are some areas of ductal dilatation along the lateral side and ductal ectasia was noted in the lateral tissues. As I mentioned before, a 6 month mammographic follow-up study of the right breast would be recommended and the report stated as long as there is no palpable abnormality noted in this region.
When I talked to my Dr. the other day, she did recommend that I have a breast exam by the general surgeon and to bring my tests w/me. The only finding she told me about was the fact that I have very dense breasts and that's it. She never mentioned about the asymmetry or the ductal involvement at all. Although I did know there was ductal involvement from what the technician told me. But it really surprises me that my Dr. didn't tell me everything because I believe it was her responsibility. I am seeing the surgeon either this wek oe next. I am concerned.
The Ultrasound report stated that there are some areas of ductal dilatation along the lateral side and ductal ectasia was noted in the lateral tissues. As I mentioned before, a 6 month mammographic follow-up study of the right breast would be recommended and the report stated as long as there is no palpable abnormality noted in this region.
When I talked to my Dr. the other day, she did recommend that I have a breast exam by the general surgeon and to bring my tests w/me. The only finding she told me about was the fact that I have very dense breasts and that's it. She never mentioned about the asymmetry or the ductal involvement at all. Although I did know there was ductal involvement from what the technician told me. But it really surprises me that my Dr. didn't tell me everything because I believe it was her responsibility. I am seeing the surgeon either this wek oe next. I am concerned.
Tart
08-24-2003, 12:15 PM
I would also recommend checking your breasts and demanding to be tested if you see or feel anything suspcious.
I found a lump in my breast, was told it was nothing because I'm too young..blah..blah..blah. But i had good dr.'s that sent me for an ultrasound and then a surgeon.
It turned out to be infiltrating ductal carcinoma (breast cancer). I was only 28.
It seems to be happening to more and more younger women. Be your own advocate. I'm now 30 yrs old and feel great.
God Bless Us All.
I found a lump in my breast, was told it was nothing because I'm too young..blah..blah..blah. But i had good dr.'s that sent me for an ultrasound and then a surgeon.
It turned out to be infiltrating ductal carcinoma (breast cancer). I was only 28.
It seems to be happening to more and more younger women. Be your own advocate. I'm now 30 yrs old and feel great.
God Bless Us All.