Found a lump

[Anonymous]

I have to put this somewhere and I'm trying not to freak out too much, but I found a lump in my breast last night. It's definitely new. Wasn't there before.

I made a doctor appt.

Plese tell me some stories about how this happened to you and it turned out to be no big deal. Please.

[Anonymous]

So sorry, OP. Slightly different case for me, but I recently went for a routine breast ultrasound (based on something seemingly minor) which cascaded to a mammogram and ultrasound, then to needle biopsy. In the end, it was benign. In my case, a family history of breast cancer had me really scared, and the wait between appointments and until the final diagnosis was agonizing. The way I dealt with it was 1) keeping myself from doing any research on anything unless I had a diagnosis to work from; and 2) trying to keep busy on other things; and 3) allowing myself to slack off on things where I could. Good luck, I'll be thinking of you and wishing you the best.

[Anonymous]

It's good that your addressing it with your doctor right away. The good news is that most breast lumps are benign.

I found two lumps next to eachother. Went to the doctor who referred me to a breast surgeon/specialist (I personnally went to Gtown hospital). They did a mammo and the lumps were considered just fatty tissue which didn't warrant biopsies but rather monitoring. However I did have calcifications which can be a precursor to cancer so I went ahead and had biopsies done since I was planning another pregnancy and breastfeeding. Everything was benign but I still am followed closely with mammo's every 6 months.

[Anonymous]

I'm glad you're getting it checked out. Hopefully very soon?

I get lumps in my underarm area periodically, which is an area where there are lymph nodes. But they go away. I've asked the OB about it and they say not to worry about lumps that go away. Anyway, I am hoping that yours is one that goes away!

And, if it's not. It makes such a huge difference to catch and treat early. My mom had breast cancer but they caught it so early that the biopsy removed all of the cancer cells and years later she is still cancer free.

My best to you.

[Anonymous]

OP, most lumps really are benign. Get this checked out, ask a lot of questions, but know that the imagery doesn't diagnose malignancy.

I have to go on this roller coaster every 6 months because of my family history. I think I've finally learned to try suspend as much anxiety as I can until I see the pathologist's report, not the radiologist's report.

[Anonymous]

Most lumps are benign. My OB/GYN found a lump 10 years ago (when I was 33) and I had 2 mammograms and needle biopsy. All benigh. HaD another mammogram this summer---also required followup, but they determined all was benign. Some women just have lumpy breasts. I recollect that caffeine intake may up the lumpiness. Stay calm until they've done all the testing. Take care.

[Anonymous]

I have known at least 6 people under 60 yrs old who found lumps and NONE were cancerous. In more than one case the person had a tendency to form calcium deposits or something and they need to be monitored yearly, but still no problems.

.I know one person diagnosed with breast cancer in her 60s, but it was caught early, she is in remission and has been doing great...that was years ago.

[Anonymous]

Had a lump and then a needle biopsy a few years ago -- benign. I think that 80% of lumps are benign. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

OP, you are 100% right to follow up and get into your doctor ASAP. However, the PPs have good information and advice. Most lumps are benign. Stay off the internet (for medical research) until you have more information, it's just torturing yourself. Best of luck and hugs to you.

[Anonymous]

My DH had a pea sized lump on his breast/chest area, and two different doctors told him it was a cyst that did not warrant further investigation, on the surface, so less likely to be an issue. He has a family history of breast cancer (grandma) so I urged him to get two opinions.

Good luck. Whatever the result, its great that you caught it and are being proactive.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks, all. Intellectually, I *know* most lumps aren't cancer. Emotionally, I'm uh, less certain.

So I saw my doc and was referred to GW for follow-up. Going for a sonogram. Anybody have any experience with this there? Thanks again.

[Anonymous]

Edit to add:
Will I have to wait until results are sent to my referring doc? If I need a follow-up mammogram will that need to be a separate appointment? Will I be there for hours or is it more like an hour? OK, I'm actually not doing the world's greatest job of not freaking out.

[Anonymous]

22:30 here. I haven't done ultrasounds at GW, but I always have a chance to talk to a radiologist during the procedure because the technician always gets a funny look on her face and runs to get the doctor, who then recommends a biopsy and/ or MRI.

Anyway, I would call and ask the clinic's front desk your questions. They'll be able to answer about result reporting procedures and whether or not they would do more imagery on the spot. I think you'll get a preliminary verbal report before you leave, with a written report to your doctor to follow later.

I hope it helps you to know that my ultrasounds almost always result in biopsies, and that when this has happened in the past (superstitious caginess because I'm about to start another round of screenings), the samples have shown benign tissue. Now I have scar tissue from the biopsies, which also looks goofy on ultrasounds and scares new radiologists.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Edit to add:
Will I have to wait until results are sent to my referring doc? If I need a follow-up mammogram will that need to be a separate appointment? Will I be there for hours or is it more like an hour? OK, I'm actually not doing the world's greatest job of not freaking out.

Why aren't you getting a mammo? Are you breastfeeding? Unless you are breastfeeding a mammo is superior to sono for breast imaging.

Have you been referred to a breast specialist?

[Anonymous]

Not OP, but mammograms are less useful for women w/ dense breasts, though I'm surprised OP's doctor didn't order both.