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jenNbil · 10-06-2002, 04:59 PM

I have had what my doctor called a caffeine cyst in my breast for over a year now. He said it is from drinking too much pop. It hasn't went away, hasn't got bigger or smaller. If I squeeze my nipple a pus like yellowish discharge comes out. Once blood came out but the doctor said that was an infected milk duct.
I am not pregnant, not breastfeeding either.
I have naturally lumpy breasts. I have been told that is normal in some women and called fibrocystic breast disease. But what worries me is since my breasts are lumpy anyways how can I tell the difference between a "bad" lump and whats normal?
I can't afford to have a $100 mammogram done, I can't even afford to go back to the doc. He referred me to a breast specialist a few months ago but I can't afford to go. They won't bill me either or let me set up a payment plan. (greedy, money hungry docs :-( )
Can anyone give me advice on what I can do? And how to tell the difference between a good and a suspicious lump? Also does anyone know if there is special programs out there for low income families and/or people without health insurance that I can check into to get myself a mammogram. I am a 28 year old female.
Thanks

veree · 10-07-2002, 07:37 AM

Get in touch with your womens health center. Might be able to get this through the mammogram center or through your doctors office. We have such a program in our area so its a good chance you do too.

mlgable · 10-07-2002, 07:59 AM

I agree.............look in the yellow pages for your nearest womens health clinic as they often have free programs that cover women who need health care but can't afford it. If you can't find something in the yellow pages then contact your local hospital to ask where the nearest clinic is or contact you counties medical department and ask them.

mlgable · 10-07-2002, 08:00 AM

One last comment. Most of the breast lumps I have felt in the residents I work with in the nursing home that were cancerous were rock hard. It was kind of like feeling a marble inside the breast. I am not sure if all cancerous lumps feel this way but this is just what I have expierienced so far in my 27 years of nursing.

AprilW · 10-08-2002, 11:48 AM

Hi Jen,
How old are you? I am 31 and in Canada a mamogram does not carry a fee but is not given until the age of at least 40. Breast cancer runs in my family and is therefore a great concern for me. I asked for one and was told because of my age,there was no real point of doing one.As for lactating,(yellow discharge) I also expierience that.There is also no chance of me being pregnant and my son has been weined for 8 yrs. I also have numerous lumps but the Dr tells me I'm fine.She also told me that although a mamogram is great for early detection it would be of no help to me. Do you do self exams?If not start and if you feel change do notify a Dr. I hope I helped at least a little,April

AprilW · 10-08-2002, 11:50 AM

Sorry Jen missed your age first time.

Sinnrah · 10-09-2002, 11:25 AM

Hi,

I just watched a program on tv about a young women in her early twenties w/ breast cancer. And Doctors are very bad about telling women to wait until they are 35 or older for mammograms.

I have had a cyst in my breast since I was like 13. And it developed w/ my breast. It gets swollen when it is my time of the month and too much caffeine.

I have cut out the caffeine. And even with that it still gets swollen sometimes. I even posted a topic in womens health about it.

I am going to the doctor and going to insist on a mammogram. Even though these cycst are suppose to non cancerous does not mean it wont turn into that. Well, that is what I have been told. So I am freaked out about mine.

But I would say to go get it checked out as much as possible...and cut out the caffeine, chocolate etc.

I even take diet pills and they have caffeine in them. So I have even stopped drinking coffee in the mornings. Except for today. LOL I need a cappaccino to wake up.

Good luck and keep up posted.

Sinnrah

terribear2002 · 10-12-2002, 01:45 AM

Hey wow i don't know about the discharge thing yet but hey i have what is called fribrocystic breast disease found out when i was about 15. My aunt has the same thing. whenever its that time of month or i drink too much coffee or chocolate the lumps swell up and are painful. i don't believe cancer is painful...rock hard i've heard but my cyst range in size from pea to walnut and it can be very painful.
My biggest suggestion is to pray...God does heal. take care..

Fergie · 10-21-2002, 07:19 AM

I am 65 and was diagnosed with fibrocystic breast disease when I was 20. At age 26 a surgeon removed one large cyst....size of a small pancake, he said...but it was not malignant. He removed it because of the size because he was concerned that it might take over the normal tissue. I just recently had a mammogram, plus ultrasound and the dr. told me that the cysts have not grown and may even be a bit smaller than last year when I had a mammogram. Dr. also said that cancer growths never get smaller, only larger. Please try to see if there are any centers in your area that provide care for low income families. It will give you peace of mind to have a mammogram. Good luck. God bless you.

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