Does anyone have any information on Breast Cancer. I have a lump in left breast and have visited my GP regarding this. He has said that "yes" he can feel a lump, but not to worry about it. The lump is quite painful and he said that this was a "good sign"???? Has anyone had breast cancer or know of someone who has and has received treatment for it? I would be most grateful to find out how they were diagnosed and what treatment they received. Many thanks.
Star,
RUN, don't walk, to the nearest mammography center and have a mammogram. If your doctor won't refer you to one, then get another doctor.
While it is indeed quite possible that this is benign, no doctor can tell that just through feel. ANY lump in the breast needs to be checked out. Also, it is absolutely not true that just because it hurts that means it isn't cancer.
Now, I haven't said this to scare you, but just to prompt you to action. It's quite possible this is just a cyst, but it should be checked out. And, if it is cancer, the sooner it's discovered, the better your prognosis is for a complete cure.
If the mammogram shows something suspicious, then they can either do a needle aspiration (they basically suck out some of the cells and send them to a pathologist for evaluation), or they can do a lumpectomy, or a surgical biopsy (they take out a small amount of tissue). Also, if the mammogram isn't very clear, they can try to evaluate it through ultrasound.
They may tell you to wait until after your next period to see if it goes away. That's okay as long as your periods are regular and you won't be waiting longer than a few weeks.
You didn't say how old you are, but if you're nearing 40, then you should be having a mammogram once a year.
It's YOUR body, so insist on absolutely the best care for it.
Ruth
[This message has been edited by SamQKitty (edited 05-04-2003).]
Find a new doctor, get a mammogram and an ultrasound. After I found the lump in my breast I had 2 doctors turn me away b/c I was "too young" to have breast cancer. I was diagnosed with Stage II breast cancer last summer -- I was 25 yrs old. I have completed treatment now and I am in full remission! If I hadn't insisted on further testing things would not have worked out so well for me.
I've had lumps before, some were painful and some weren't. I've had them either taken out by surgery or aspiration. I don't want any lumps there. Too risky in my opinion.
Melissa -
It is an old wive's tale that painful lumps are less likely to be cancerous. I'm not even sure how that myth came into being, but perhaps because a lump that resulted from an injury would usually be painful. However, I can tell you from experience that painful lumps can also be cancerous.
If it also looks like a huge black and blue mark at the site of the lump, then it could very well be a hematoma (basically, a bruise) from an injury. However, if you know you didn't hit yourself in that area, then even a "bruise-like" lump should be checked out.
Samkitty, thank you for the inspiration of not too worry too much! I have recently noticed a mass or lump off to the side of my armpit and i'm worried even so, but i have an appt with my regular dr. soon. My orthepedic surgeon said more than likely it was due to my recent shoulder injury that i had surgery on but one my shoulder has gotten quite a bit better and the lump has gotten bigger, and now i can feel something like a pea size thing in the middle. At first this was easy to deal with but when my husband agreed it had gotten bigger no need to wait to get it checked out. Also recenlty i have had surgery to remove non cancerous cells but i am still haveing symtoms of this and have to go back for a receck on it to make sure they got it all, this has been way to much stuff lately but trying to be positive! Also i was told by a friend it didnt seem to be on the muscle where it seems it would be if it was from my shoulder before hand and it would get smaller if that was the case also. Well, any insight you can give me on this would be appreciated!
Melissa
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