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Immo
09-21-2007, 10:37 PM
Dear Forum members,

My name is Kerry, I as yet have no diagnosis after "monitoring" a lump for 14 months now. In that time, I've had 3 ultrasounds - each report basically says the same thing. The latest report is below..


Small Hypoechoic lesion at 10 o'clock in the right breast mostly unchanged in appearance when compared to ultrasounds dating back to 7 December 2006. Lesion is hypoechoic with internal echoes in an area measuring 6mm x 3.5mm x 7mm. There are also a few small cysts in both breasts. Thanks for referring this patient.

It then says below this at the bottom of the page "negative imaging should not preclude further evalution of any clinically suspicious findings" I have significant family history on both sides of my family with both Breast and Ovarian cancers, plus cervical and brain cancers. I'm 34 years of age and am concerned Doctors aren't taking me seriously enough as a result of my younger age as they state that at "my age" any tumour would grow aggressively and as mine is slow growing it's not a concern. Yet there's no statement to alleviate my concerns to say the "lesion" is not a tumour.

The Breastscreen Association Triage Nurse advised that a radiologists report always states what the lump may be, that it's benign or suspicious is what it should say, also whether it's a Cyst, Fibroadenoma, inflamed milk ducts or something, but my reports come back so vague it's frustrating. My Doctor says it's nothing but here's a referral to get another scan in 6 months time.

All women in my family with Cancers were all pre-menopausal, and I have other health conditions that are unusual to get when pre-menopausal also, like Osteoporosis and Trigeminal Neuralgia.

I would like to hear your opinions - I don't want to get worried about something until I know for certain, but after 14 months of being told "we don't know" is starting to become frustrating. Do you think I should ask for a biopsy or should I just leave well enough alone? :confused:

I should note also, my GP can feel it, it's about 3 cm's from the nipple in the outer right quadrant. I've had pain in a couple of locations, general breast pain on that side and pain in my armpit that sometimes radiates down my arm.

Kindest regards & Best wishes to all on this list.

Kerry

~Pansy~
09-22-2007, 06:01 PM
Hi Kerry and welcome to the forums. I do think that, given your family history, you are wise to move forward with this. All the doctors (gp, surgeon, oncologist, etc) that I've seen have stressed "early detection". I don't know what your records mean, but for the sake of peace of mind and safety of health, a second opinion is in order. You can either take your records to another doctor or a surgeon for a second opinion or you can request that a biopsy be performed.

I wish you the best. I will keep you in my prayers and hope you will come back and give us an update.

Immo
09-22-2007, 07:45 PM
Hi Pansy,

My thanks for your suggestion. I agree, they stress early detection constantly and I personally have never heard of these illnesses being age biased. When I found the lump I had to request a referral for my ultrasound from my GP and she asked me why? Initially she couldn't feel the lump, on my second visit to my her she found it, and immediately wrote the referral.

My next appointment with my gp is tomorrow morning, I will ask her. I will put to her about getting the biopsy and referral to a specialist. Even if nothing is wrong at this point they will be able to give me answers then as to what it is, and if then something should be done about it.

It took my Mum years to get herself taken seriously after she found a lump - she was in her late 30's and because it couldn't be seen on a mammogram the doctors didn't believe it existed.

Finally, they listened, gave her a biopsy that told them it was malignant and for Mum that is now 11 years ago since her mastectomy and thankfully she is in good health!

Pansy, Thank you again for your answer and my hopes and prayers now include you. I will come back and let you know how it goes.

Kindest regards,

Kerry