My girlfriend is more than likely having surgery on a lump in her breast. - Women's Health Message Board

MrZeely · 08-01-2007, 02:22 PM

And i am not sure what to tell her, the doctors are being really shady about the situation. She has two lumps directly next to each other in her right breast, she got it checked out with a mammogram and an ultrasound about 3 weeks ago. They told her it was not cancerous, and "more than likely" a sist and will not have to be removed. The doctors never called her back after that, and just 4 days ago her mom called the doctor and they said they want a specialist to check it out.

So she was at the specialist, she got another ultrasound, and the specialist is the first person to say she needs surgery to get it taken out. She did not say what it is, she just said they will need to stick a needle in her breast or something, and then she needs it taken out. But the shady part again is that the specialist said she doesnt want to do the surgery because she is still young, and growing (shes 18). Why on earth would you tell someone that they need surgery, but they dont want to do it because they are too young. She said in about a month, she will get it checked out again to see if it has gone away, but it will more than likely stay the same. Which seems really redundant.

So well, she wants to know what to expect. What kind of surgery, how long of a surgery, how much anesthesia will she get (so how much recovery from it), how long of a recovery from the surgery in general, will there be any scars, how bad of scars. And overall, what is it since the doctors wont say anything.

dammie · 08-01-2007, 05:51 PM

First of all i think she needs to get a second or third or even fourth opinion. She needs to find a doctor who can be open and honest with her and answer her questions. Part of the doctor patient relationship involes having to talk about some uncomfortable things. I've done it myself, i wasn't happy with a few doctors and found one that i was happy with. This is her body she should be aware of everything going on with it.

MrZeely · 08-01-2007, 07:21 PM

First doctor said its okay, second doctor said it needs to be monitored, third specialist said it needs to be removed.

Shes had 3 opinions.

Andrea84 · 08-01-2007, 09:02 PM

I've been in this position and I can tell you they cannot say it's not cancerous unless they do a biopsy (and not just a needle biopsy-not accurate enough) . ***** and sonno and even MRI will not tell you definitely whether it's cancer. The two choices are monitoring (seeing if it gets bigger over time) or removing it (giving you the chance to make sure it isn't cancerous -and if it is - not giving it a chance to grow).
As someone who had this choice I would go with the specialist. Better to catch it as early as possible and if it isn't cancer, knowing for sure that it isn't.

MrZeely · 08-01-2007, 09:33 PM

Her family does have a history of cancer too. But the first few doctors said its for sure not cancerous. Then again, those were the people who said there is no need in removing it.