Breast lumps.

[Cry Tears]

Hi all...I've just had a diagnositic mammogram and ultrasound.
I have a large lump on my breast, is size of half dollar coin...is painful to touch.
Its half way from my nipple to underarm, so just off the breast itself.
I didn't feel they got it into the area being scanned because of where this lump is....
they put a small BB like marker, but was still not in the area being mammoed.
My gyny told me is "cakey" like in feeling, didn' think was cancer, but wanted a further look'see.
He had no trouble finding it or all the other little lumps I have on the other breast.
So I was seen by radiologist doctor after veiwing the mammogram.
During the ultra sound told me can't be seen, she had hard time finding it.

She seemed pretty rushed, in hurry to get out of there as it was nearly 5PM.
I finally had to guide her fingers to the very large lump :( ...she finally found and felt it, said,
yeah is large...hmmm....well don't worry, is just fatty tumour, nothing to worry about...
said "cancer feels like a grain of sand...is always rock hard".
So on that basis she made her diagnosis, telling me is JUST fatty tumour that my breast are very lumpy, fiberous.
She spent less than 5 mins with me....very uninterested in answering my questions...didn't seem to have time.
OK...I'm very happy to learn this is NOT cancer...but how do they really know without needle biopsy?
Is needle biopsy best way to diagnose...or is just this doctors "word" enough?
I'm not all that comfortable with this and would like more answers.
My paternal grandmother was diagnosed with Breast cancer at 58, I am 55. She died @ 62 after it spread to her spine and other organs.
3 of her daughters, my aunts, have had breast and uterine cancer, two of them have died from this, all before their 50th birthdays.
I was told it usually does NOT run in familys....huh???
I thought it did...and with such a strong family history with breast cancer, I'm not at all comformtable with this, fatty or not!
Have any of you had such experiences like this, fatty tumours, not cancer?
Did this worry you as well?...or am I just being a whiner?
Is the diagnostic mammogram enough to diagnose this...should I trust this or go for a second opinion?
My neighbor, Linda also had fiberous breast tissue....they let it go for 3 years.
Now has metatesized through her entire body...even her liver and bones. Is horrible!...
she trusted them, complained of pain, she asked, had the mammos every 6 months....
and they were soooo wrong...and now she may lose her life. How sad.
Thanks, cheryl

[~Pansy~]

Hi Cheryl,

"BC does not run in families"... ? Oh my! I think this statement alone would make me run from this doctor and get a second opinion. It is entirely possible that you do not have bc (for me and many others I have talked to, bc is not painful), however, you obviously are not comfortable with her statement, the amount of time (or lack thereof) she spent with you, her disinterest in answering your questions, etc., so getting a second opinion would be a good idea. You should walk away feeling confidant in your doctor.

Best wishes,

[viviaz]

today is my 4 day after a byopsy (sorry for bad spelling) I had about the same thing and they still havent given me the results but they did the surgery because breast cancer runs in the family, but nothing showed up on the mammagram or the sonnagram either but the lump on my left breast was 1 inch by 2 inches and then I had 4 more tiny ones in that side like a pea and the in the other breast I had 2 more the same size. so they needed to check them to be sure sence cancer runs in the family, 2 of my sisters and 1 aunt (she died) and my Dads,Mom (My grandma) also all had breast cance so they new I was at risk and still am I dont know the results yet this week but I know haveing the surgery was what was right

[tic chick]

hello ladies!*smallrose

if breast cancer runs in your families, genetic testing is a way to find out if you have the gene that causes breast cancer. if you do not have the gene, it DOES NOT mean you won't get breast cancer. here is a very short and informative website on the gene and its name:

http://www.lbl.gov/Education/ELSI/Frames/cancer-genes-f.html

sometimes doctors can tell by the "feel" of a lump if it is breast cancer. but, doctors are not perfect. a needle biopsy will detect cancerous cells, because it takes cells right from the tumor.

if you have the breast cancer gene and have lumps in your breast, i would hope the doctor would recommend an mri. there is a new mri called a "magnetic resonance (MR) elastography" which is safer than a cat scan and just as accurate.

the website for a description is on:

http://www.sciencedaily.com****eos/2006/0102-detecting_breast_cancer_early.htm

this scan also detects breast cancer earlier.

i think that women who have the gene for breast cancer or who have a family history of breast cancer and lumps should get an mri.

if YOU think a doctor did not give you enough time or did not do a thorough exam on your lumps, SPEAK UP! it is your body, your life. not theirs. you have to be your own advocate.

i hope you all have positive outcomes on your tests.

take care of yourselves,
jeannie

[Cry Tears]

My health insurance is for Providence Catholic hosp.
I've had some very good doctors there, and I've had the worst of the worst there...the ER doc who refused to order blood sample, convinced my symptoms were simply panic attack...I begged her to order simple blood work as I felt something very wrong with me...we got into a "pissing match" and I lost! She said "I'm discharging you, YOU are ONLY having a PANIC attack!"
If I had gone to the ER excessivly, and had a history of panic attacks then I'd agree she may be right...but this was NOT the case...I'd only been to ER once in 20 years!
I could have very easily died after leaving the ER...I WAS seriously ill!
But took several more weeks of my suffering when finally saw a different doctor who ordered blood samples...I was so anemic, I was missing nearly 2/3rds of my blood! I was bleeding to death!...so was NOT having panic attack!
My heart was trying to compensate for such low hemaglobin...5.1 hgb...normal is about 12-14 hgb for women.
I had an intestinal AVM (anuerism like mass).
I ended up being hospitalized 9 days and was given 25 blood transfusions over the next 2+ years...when they finally opened me up, found the AVM and repaired it...then after this saga was over, I began another saga of failing health....with serious vitamin deficiencies that caused neurological problems, oh is never ending with my health issues...I'm so sick of this could scream!
I've had so many dismissive doctors...not many beleived I was ill only because I don't look ill...especially when I was so aneimic...I was a dead woman standing!...talk about pulling off looking good in my casket!
But lab results don't lie...neither does EMG nerve testing...can't lie about those!...that also showed I had serious problems, but many doctors simply passed me along when couldn't find reasons or causes.
Now...brings me to this breast lump saga...its size of half dollar coin.
I had said was size of quarter to my Gyny...he said "No, is much bigger, is half dollar size...and MUST be dealt with IMMEDIATLY!"
He told me it didn't feel like cancer, but said not to trust his judgment, that he may be wrong...that he wanted me to have a diagnostic mammogram and ultra sound...and maybe have it needle biopsied.
He wanted me to go to Adventist Hospt for this, but my insurance forces me to go to Providence.
They didn't have regular openinng till end of November, but since my gyny felt urgent, they fit me in the next day on Wednesday...I got there after 2:30, then waited, waited, waited!...Finally got the mammo done...I kept telling the gal my lump was NOT getting into the mammo feild.
She'd placed a little BB over the lump...is pretty large, so not easy to miss.
But she kept flattening and squeezing me into the mammo feild, but still missed getting it into the feild...she arugued with me, saying yes it is.
OK...what can you say then?! You KNOW its not, but they say it IS!
I must keep mouth shut...afterall...
she's the one with the squeeze-flatten-squish-smashyertitty button! *bernie *bernie ...what can I say?!...you know the routine! Assume the position...keep mouth shut...no it doesn't hurt...never has!...I'm talking about the one wearing the white coat holding the button, not the person standing there hanging onto the OMG bar! while crossing eyes keeping your eyes looking at yer disfigured smashed boobie!
Then next step was for ultrasound...I'd had a 2+ hour dental appt that morning so still a little groggy from chill pill meds I must take for those long drillings...I have a huge phobia having anyone put things in my mouth...I was victim of sexual abuse...so can't handle dental procedures without med support. I did't tell them this tho...but I was pretty quiet, a little worried as well wondering if I do have the big C!.
The doctor came in...in huge rush...it was nearly 5 pm now, past closing time, guess she just wanted to get home....had spent entire day with whiney women...hmmm. I'm just ANOTHER on the list.
She said nothing showed up on the mammo...can't feel anything...cant find my lump...I kept telling her its big...here...feel here...she's glopped on huge amount of freezing cold jel...kept going over and over...saying can't find any lump! OK...am I nuts?...Lying?...I kept trying to show her exactly where it was. She kept saying can't find it...then went over the area with the doplar head...said "its not showing up here....so not to worry"...I told her.."My gramma died of B Ca, so did 3 of her daughters have B Ca....I'm worried cuz this runs in my family!",,,she said..."It usually doesn't run in familys...only certain kind runs in families!"...OK...thats not what I've read or heard!
But I don't want to argue with "Janet Reno's double"...besides, she's much bigger and older than me...AND she's a doctor!...so what do I know?!
I finally guide her fingers over the lump...she finally found it...now how on earth could she miss this? It IS size of half dollar...no exageration here! Is what my gyny described as size....not to mention the other breasts lumps, so many...but I also have fiberous breast.
The radiology doc told me that B CA feels like a grain of sand, is hard, rock like, never flat, squishy like mine is...for me NOT to worry, do NOT need needle biopsy...is nothing to worry about!...
Go now, get gone...next!!!!!
I got a report back in the mail yesterday, Saturday...how that for speedy!
OK...nothing to worry about!
Here's what unsigned report says:
Dear Ms Young:
We are pleased to inform you that the results of your PPB mamm digital diagn bilat and left breast ultrasound performed on October 17, 2007 are normal.
It is recommended that you have your next routine screening mammogram in 1 year.
then 2 paragraphs of yada-yada...early detect of caner very important, yada yada....

The results of these procedures have been sent to Dr Gyny and will become part of your medical rcord here at Prvidence Plaza.
Please contact your health care provider if you notice any changes or have any futher queitons.
Sincerely,

Providence Professional Plaza

No nice signature, no name...nada! except at the top says Providen Plaza and adress at top...

now hows that!??!

I called my gyny on Thursday, told the nurse about my saga, that I WAS concerned, even tho they were NOT, that said wasn;t anything to worry, but I am worried.
She said, well come in to talk with doctor tomarrow, Friday...see what he says.
I told her I couldn't, but have him call me, palleeeze!
I've seen him off/on 20+ years now...have only called him maybe twice, was for urine infection....so I'm not a whiney patient always calling, concerened.
Our sons have been best freinds since high school, so we've got this in common, always dealing with our kids...but I've never stepped outside boundries or called him at home for any medical problems....NEVER!
ANd he's stopped doing deliveries, focused now soley on older womans like me, gyny health.
She promised he'd call me....hmmm. So far, no calls!
What should I do now?
I'm being told by radiologist is NOTHING wrong....only perhaps fatty tumour, that those never show up on mammo's.
OK...then why does this hurt...and why do I have so many lumps on other side?...why not explain what this is...why just tell me "nothing wrong, go home don't worry"!
Why not just have Drive by Mammos....stick yer boobies out the window, and any questions Go Google it!...well for this, I'll go big time, do Yahoo! search....Yahoo Drive by Mammo's
Tomarrow, ya need to drive your Euro car so can get other side done!
If ya want both done same time, save gas...do Walk by Mammo's!
A little "flashy" I might say!
OK...now ya know why no one takes me serious!
But...what do I do next?
Just keep mouth shut, wait a year? Call gyny again, go in see face to face?
Thanks, cheryl
PS....I beleive my paternals side cancer saga is tied to life styles.
They all smoked, drank had very poor diets and multiple partners, just not a lifestyle I have.
But they were all very young...like 30's early 40's when got Breast cancers and Uterine cancers.....Judy and Mary both died from B Ca before they turned 40.
Nancy had Uterine Ca. early 30's...was victim domestic violence...her twin, Judy had the B Ca.
My gramma Eveylynn had B Ca starting age 58, she died at 62 after metastetised to her spine and other organs...she NEVER once complained!
She was a real trooper! Even tho she was picture perfect description of "trailer trash"...I loved this gramma more than my other fancy rich gramma.
I remember her cussing like a sailor, a cigarrette always hanging off her lip, only one tooth...her long flaiming red hair and lots of freckels on her light skin.
She was a hot tempered German!
Her daughters, all had cancers...but non of the men had/has any.
There were 5 of her children who were adopted out...so I don't know anything about them. All I know is my bio-sperm donor's 12 siblings all had loads of issues!...mostly violence, drinking, gambling.
Not your avergage Harvard Mensa Club members!
More like Chesters the molesters!...lets rob a bank so can pay for groceries!
Totally opposite my mothers family...and I mean total opposites!