O.K., so I found a small lump in my breast a month ago. Because I was due for my period, I figured I would wait a few weeks. My period came and went, so I called the doctor to set up an appointment. These last few weeks have been agonizing!! I have been poking at it, proding, and trying to self-diagnose it!! LOL. It hasn't grown at all, which I'm hoping is also a good sign. But anyway, I FINALLY had my appointment yesterday. She said she did not feel it was anything to worry about, but scheduled me for a mammo/ultrasound next Thursday. I've been through this before 5 months ago and it was all negative. They said it was just lumpy tissue and not to worry and follow up with my surgeon, which I did and he felt it and read the mammo/ultra reports and said the same, lump tissue. I'm hoping and praying this is nothing either. It is a very small lump and instead of under my breast like last time, it is to the side of my breast; this is what was a little more worrisome to me. The thing that ****** me off was that my ob/gyn originally could not even feel it! I had to point it out and show her to feel it, and when I did, she did feel it. I think personally when she gives a breast exam, that she is very quick and does not seem to feel deep into the tissue, which alot of doctors don't seem to do by talking with my girlfriends and sisters. I wonder if that is because "most" serious lumps are felt near the surface? I dont' know, but anyway, I'm glad I finally got it over with and saw her. She made me feel a little better and I feel a little more hopeful that nothing is seriously wrong, but I am realistic and realize there could always be that chance. I just hope if it is serious, that by my self detection it was caught very early, but of course, I'm hoping it's something benign!!! I think every woman should do a self breast exam every month. It is so important!! It's always better to bother your doctor over something that may be nothing than to let it sit there out of fear and grow on you. Anyway, is anyone going or gone through this before, because I would love to hear your story!
I have had 3 cyst removed from my breast. The last 2 were just about a year ago. The last 2 had me scared!! I could feel one and it was pretty good size. Well when they done the ultrasound they were certain it was a cyst. Well they also done a mammogram too. When they done this they found a second lump. It was deeper. You couldn't feel it. The doctor said the one he could feel he knew wasn't cancer but the other he wasn't sure about. Well the morning of surgery I had to get another mammogram so they could place a needle in the second cyst they could not be feel so the surgeron would know where it was. I bruised worse from the needle than I did from the surgery. Well the doctor removed both and they were cyst!!!! Fibrocystic breast.
I found a rather large lump during self examination last November. My doctor sent me for the mammo/ultrasound and also had me see a surgeon. The radiologist said the lump was thickening tissue, and he found a little cyst with the ultrasound, but in his opinion they were probably benign. My doctor still wanted me to see the surgeon. After being evaluated by the surgeon, she felt I needed to be rechecked in three months rather than the 6 months the radiologist recommended. In the meantime I discovered another lump on the other breast. It is small, about pea size. When I had the first diagnostic mammogram they took many more pictures of that breast than the one I found the first lump in. They showed a small cluster of calcifications, but the radiologist didn't seem concerned, so an ultrasound was not done on that breast. My followup appointment with the surgeon is next week. I don't know if calcifications would form a lump, but I'm glad I don't have long to wait. The surgeon has the ability to do the ultrasound right in her office, and it seems more accurate than a mammogram. The diagnostic mammogram did not pick up the cyst or the lump of thickened tissue, and the lump was large enough that the tech mentioned she felt it every time she went over it.
I'm so glad that yours turned out to by cysts! YAY! Do you mind if I ask how old you were at the time? Also, thank you for sharing your story with me!!
Thank you for sharing Ginger and I hope your turns out just fine too!! I can't belive the mammo did not pick up your lump, and may I ask how old you are too? I'm glad you are not waiting the six months originally and are being seen within three. Actually you are going next week and I want to wish you the best of luck that everything turns out fine with you. Thanks for sharing your story Ginger!
Hi all. 2 weeks ago I was having my annual exam done and during the breast exam, my doctor felt some lumps in my right breast. It's weird, because it's not one lump, it just feels kind of all bumpy in there. It's kind of sore to the touch, but not really painful or anything. I think more than anything it's sore because I keep feeling it. So anyway, I have an ultrasound scheduled for thursday of next week, hopefully everything will turn out ok. I'm 25, by the way. Mel, the lumpy tissue they told you about, is it just on one breast? I always assumed that if "normal" lumpy tissue was on one, it would be on the other, too. That's what made me a tiny bit worried about mine. It's only on the right. Good luck with everything and keep us posted!
Hi all. 2 weeks ago I was having my annual exam done and during the breast exam, my doctor felt some lumps in my right breast. It's weird, because it's not one lump, it just feels kind of all bumpy in there. It's kind of sore to the touch, but not really painful or anything. I think more than anything it's sore because I keep feeling it. So anyway, I have an ultrasound scheduled for thursday of next week, hopefully everything will turn out ok. I'm 25, by the way. Mel, the lumpy tissue they told you about, is it just on one breast? I always assumed that if "normal" lumpy tissue was on one, it would be on the other, too. That's what made me a tiny bit worried about mine. It's only on the right. Good luck with everything and keep us posted!
Did he say how big the lumps were? Mine is like pea sized and not rock hard, but no squishy either; it's kind of in the middle somewhere. My mammo/ultrasound is Thursday too. I want to wish you the best of luck!! For the record, I'm 38 years old. I'm also TTC, so this kind of put a damper on things. To answer your question, they are both lumpy, but the right one moreso. I will keep you posted!!
I'm hoping the ultrasound will give me more of an idea of the size/shape of them because I really can't tell by feeling. From what I can tell, they actually feel pretty big, but they're not distinct lumps, if that makes sense. It's not like I can say, "there's one, there's another one". It's more like, "it's really bumpy in this area". I wish I could explain it better. Has your doctor mentioned if maybe it could be hormone related? I thought that might be the case for me, but again, I don't know why it would be on one side only.
Good luck on Thursday and maybe we can compare notes
Sounds like I'm quite a bit older that the rest of the posters. I'm 54. My Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer around age 57, so my doctors are keeping a close watch.
At age 42 I went in for my annual mammogram. I got a letter back saying they found something and to come back in. This scared me half to death. They ended up doing another mammogram and I waited there for the Dr. to check it out. It still showed something so they did an ultrasound right there. It was a small cyst that I couldn't even feel. I was greatly relieved.
In the weeks to follow the cyst grew and grew. It felt like a regular size egg on the side of my left breast. I went to the doctor where he put in a large, thick needle to pierce the cyst and drain it. You would not believe the amount of brown liquid that came out. He said that if it filled up again to come back and he would surgically remove it.
My mom who has had numerous cysts recommended to let it burst on its own if it came back. (She has so many scars from cyst removals) The cyst did fill right back up and it took months before one day I noticed that it wasn't there anymore. It just burst on its own!
When I went for my regular mammogram, they could see the remmants of the cyst. I guess the cyst is like a deflated balloon and it takes time for the body to dissolve it.
Pretty soon I have to go back for a mammogram again. I just dread going because it hurts and I am always petrified that they will find something again. Plus does anyone feel like the mammogram is breaking down your breast tissue causing your breasts to sag more than they should? I would much rather have an ultrasound since they say they are better at detecting something.
hi,
I'm freaking out because my left breast feels like its got a lump in it, but it hurts when I'm checking it. the lump is tiny and I'm not sure if I can move it about, its really confusing me, as when I lie down it is harder to feel. my boobs are tiny anyway so it should in theory be esaier to feel. the right one doesn't seem to have anything in it, though my right breast is smaller than my left which also freaks me out.
I don't know what to do about it, I'm also on the combined pill and thought that could affect it too.
anyone have any advice? please.
x
MellyMel,
I had almost the same experience! I was 22, and I found a lump in the side of my right breast. It was really small, and I found it when I just brushed my hand by my breast, so I don't even know how I felt it. But I did, and I noticed that it gets bigger when I have my period, and also hurts a lot at that time. So I had a mamogram, and they couldn't find it on the mammo, so I went to a breat specialist, and she had a lot of trouble feeling it, but when she did, she said it felt like just a cyst. So she did an ultrasound on it, and said it also looked like just a cyst. But to be safe, she did a needle biopsy on it, which came back negative, and then she told me to come back for a followup in 6 months (which I forgot to do... I'm about a year overdue for that. I know, I know...), and then recently, I found another lump, even smaller, on the other side and near the bottom of the same breast. It's hard for me to find it sometimes, but it's there. So I made sure to make an appointment to get that one checked and to also have her check up on the other one. That appointment isn't for a couple of weeks, though.
Good luck with yours!
Last edited by Krista2882; 03-04-2006 at 07:18 AM.
I have had several cysts in the last three years. They pretty much started when I turned 40. I've had one drained and several went away on their own. I have a big one that was found on mammogram about a year ago. It is still there. Some months it gets bigger before I get my period and smaller afterwards. Sometimes it gets sore, but mostly I don't know it's there. I have always had a ultrasound to confirm that they are cysts. They can't be positive what it is without U/S. Unfortunately, once you have one cyst, you're more likely to keep getting them! The joys of being a woman!
I'm hoping the ultrasound will give me more of an idea of the size/shape of them because I really can't tell by feeling. From what I can tell, they actually feel pretty big, but they're not distinct lumps, if that makes sense. It's not like I can say, "there's one, there's another one". It's more like, "it's really bumpy in this area". I wish I could explain it better. Has your doctor mentioned if maybe it could be hormone related? I thought that might be the case for me, but again, I don't know why it would be on one side only.
Good luck on Thursday and maybe we can compare notes
Gracie:
My lump cannot be felt unless you really press deep into the tissue. It's not the kind that you can feel easy. It actually hurts a little today. Kind of like near the corner where your breast meets your shoulder. I really have to stop feeling it!!! My doctor did not say if it was hormone related, no. I'm not on birth control, so I don't think it is hormone related. My visit was brief. She just set me up after she felt it and said she didn't think it was anything to worry about. Yeah right, not worry??!! Anyway, I am making a promise to myself to leave it alone for the rest of the week! I hope I can do it! I will keep you updated.
Melly
P.S. I don't think you have to have lumpy tissue on both breasts to have lump tissue.
Sounds like I'm quite a bit older that the rest of the posters. I'm 54. My Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer around age 57, so my doctors are keeping a close watch.
I guess I'm in the middle then. LOL. Alot are in their 20's. Yes, doctor's usually keep closer watch on people that have got it in their family. This does not mean you will get it though It just puts you at a higher risk. I don't have it in my family, but most woman that are diagnosed do not have a family history, go figure. I'm glad they are keeping a good watch on you Ginger and thanks again.
I would have freaked out if I got that thing in the mail like you did! You must have been scared stiff! Im so glad it was just a cyst though. Can't letting a cyst burst on its own be dangerous though?? I always thought so.
As for the mammo causing breasts to sag, I don't think it does. I mean how could that be if it's just an x-ray? Or do you mean the physical aspects of the mammo? And, why can't you just get an u/s instead of a mammo for your cyst check ups? I'd rather have the u/s than the mammo any day too, but there are things that both of them can detect that the other cannot, so that is why it's good to get both they say. Best of luck with your upcoming appointment.
hi,
I'm freaking out because my left breast feels like its got a lump in it, but it hurts when I'm checking it. the lump is tiny and I'm not sure if I can move it about, its really confusing me, as when I lie down it is harder to feel. my boobs are tiny anyway so it should in theory be esaier to feel. the right one doesn't seem to have anything in it, though my right breast is smaller than my left which also freaks me out.
I don't know what to do about it, I'm also on the combined pill and thought that could affect it too.
anyone have any advice? please.
x
Usually a woman will have one breast bigger than the other anyway, so don't worry about that unless your breast has "suddenly" become larger than the other. But if you are feeling a lump, make an appointment to see your ob/gyn or primary care. Only they can have an idea if it is something to worry over or not. To us, any lump is something to worry over. Best of luck to you!
I'm glad your story turned out to be a positive one. My doctor couldn't feel my lump either until I pointed it out to her, so maybe that is a good sign? I think it's funny that both of our doctor's could not feel it, but we could. Only mine doesn't really hurt. It only hurts if I've been poking and proding at it. I'm so happy that your biopsy was negative, that is great news!! Best of luck to you with your appointment in a few weeks. I'm sure it is just another little cyst. They say once you get one, you get many more. Thanks for sharing your story. Keep us updated too!!
Have you ever found a lump in your breast??? 
My doctor did not say if it was hormone related, no. I'm not on birth control, so I don't think it is hormone related. My visit was brief. She just set me up after she felt it and said she didn't think it was anything to worry about. Yeah right, not worry??!! Anyway, I am making a promise to myself to leave it alone for the rest of the week! I hope I can do it! I will keep you updated.
It just puts you at a higher risk. I don't have it in my family, but most woman that are diagnosed do not have a family history, go figure. I'm glad they are keeping a good watch on you Ginger and thanks again.
Thanks for sharing your story. Keep us updated too!!
