anyone??? - Cancer: Breast Message Board

Blue2U · 05-01-2003, 10:30 AM

I've posted on this board 3 times and no one has ever responded.

I posted about being worried, having to go for an ultrasound on my right breast, I posted again when I received the results and didn't really know what they meant.

I'm posted now because I'm being referred to a surgeon and am scared to death !!

The soonest available appt with the surgeon is May 21st ...doesn't that seem like an awfully long time? Is it always something serious when they are referring you to a surgeon?

Rajah · 05-01-2003, 11:36 AM

Hi,
I don't think it necessarily matter's which procedure takes place first. Referring you to a surgeon does not mean "cancer". I myself, at age 33 had a suspicous lump removed from my breast, and it was benign. All that was done was a mammogram and a needle aspiration to see if it was fluid. It was not, and because of my mom's breast cancer history, it was removed. Do you have any family history of breast cancer? Bottom line, any lump, regardless...should always be removed. I can't beleive your doctor told you not to worry about it a year ago, because you were too young. Cancer knows no age. He needs to get his head out of the sand. In my mom's most recent breast cancer, 2 years ago...her protocol was mammogram...and then she had an ultrasound guided biopsy to determine if it was cancerous. It was, and she had a mastectomy. Your visit to the surgeon will probably be to schedule a biopsy, and after those results, you take it from there. Try not to worry...all lumps are not cancerous. Mine was benign, I have 4 sisters that have all had lumps removed and they were benign. Our doctors don't take chances with us because of my mom's history...she had a left breast masectomy 27 years ago, and the right one just two years ago. I think that all women should be treated as if they had breast cancer in the family. I wish you the best...keep us posted

Kalie · 05-02-2003, 09:24 AM

Rajah is so right about cancer not being concerned with age -- I was diagnosed with breast cancer last year at the ripe old age of 25!

This is my question to you...why hasn't your doctor explained the results to you? I read your previous posts and I would love to help you, but I have no idea what that means either. Part of a doctor's job is to educate the patient, not just throw tests and treatments their way. My advice, find another doctor -- one who will take the time to explain every word to you.

NMc · 05-03-2003, 07:09 PM

Hi Jlaffey:
I know how frustrating it can be to post with inquiries but receive no response. I searched the web and found a site that describes your results precisely, and have quoted the important information below:
"A simple cyst classically appears as a mass that has well-defined borders. On ultrasound, it is generally anechoic and shows significant posterior acoustic enhancement"
I think the operative word in the preceding quote is "simple", which implies a non-cancerous lump. Of course, only your doctor and the surgeon will be able to tell for sure.
In your previous post, you also cite that the ultrasound was unable to identify a mass where the M.D. previously felt one - I would imagine this simply means the cyst has moved to a different location (perhaps the one found by the ultasound) or there was nothing there to begin with.
I hope this helps ease your concerns.
Nancy

winged phantom · 05-08-2003, 11:04 AM

Hi J,
Sorry about all the problems with getting answers... Sometimes there just aren't people here with the type of information you need. I don't really have much info, either, but I noticed you're from Titusville. I have the name of a great, woman breast ssurgeon in Winter Park, if you're interested, and if you're interested in travelling a bit.

Good luck with getting answers; keep after all the answers you need to get, because sometimes it's just like pulling teeth to get them! But it's your health. Take care...
wr