Topic: I found a lump

Hello Michelle,

I'm glad you found this site at this point in your life.  It can help to keep you sane through the waiting.  As mentioned above, 80% of masses are benign.   I was once told that cancerous masses don't usually hurt...for what that's worth.  I know you can't relax until you get that final report, so try to channel your energy into something productive.  I know October is probably the worst time to be faced with a breast lump with all the pink everywhere you look.  Hang in there.  We'll be here when your results come back.

Carol(AZ)

I know its hard not to go there. My grandmother had breast cancer too - she had bilateral mastectomies because that's all they had at the time.

You are not silly. You are taking care of yourself. You are important!

Breast cancer is NOT a death sentence.  We will be here whatever happens. Hang in there!

Thank you Leaf and Julie. I'll be sure to come back to let everyone know the mammogram was fine...I hope.

Thanks Nash, I appreciate your advice and input.

Yes, A diagnostic bilateral mammogram was ordered. And she said something about an ultrasound after the mammorgram, but that wasn't scheduled. That's a good sign right? Or am I just reaching...LOL.

I have to admit, this has helped so much, just getting my fears out. Thank you all!

Thanks Harley

I'm trying so hard to not think about it but that's impossible. I find myself checking every chance I get...maybe it's gone now....no such luck. I want to think I'm just imagining things. I keep telling myself it's nothing I'm just being crazy, but I think I found what she felt, beside the lump I felt. It's nothing like the one I found. I don't know how to describe it. It doesn't move at all, almost like a weird shaped bone or something. I know that doesn't make any sense. I've just got myself so strssed about all this, I can't wait until I find out everything's okay.

michelle

i am going through the same thing. i go for a lumpectomy on tuesday the 21st. what a mess is right.  i have a strong history of BC and OC and i am a mess too. cant describe the feelings. some days i just lay in bed all day and cry and some days i just have to go somewhere (usually my mom's) i feel like i just cant do it and then i think about all the reasons i can. hope your results are B9 and mine too. hang in there if i hadn't found this site i woud be crazy by now. these women keep me going too. some days i just get on here and read all day. best of luck to you and hugs from me.

terrie

michelle

when i had my follow up apt. with gyn to go over my diagnostic and us results i was sitting there when he came in (my husband was with me) and when he said lumpectomy, i cant remember anything else he said, NOTHING. thank god my husband was sitting there i went to the truck and lost it. we just sit there in the parking lot, while i cried he comforted me. he said hunny if worst comes to worst we will beat this thing together, that made me cry even more. since then everytime i feel my boobs i feel something else (or it seems) he said to me, keep your hands off them, thats my job. he makes me laugh sometimes but when he's gone theres no humor here. my mom and sisters call me everyday all day long just to say hi and they love me. they are all going with me to my apt. with the surgeon on tuesday. my brother and sister who live 4 hours away are gonna be there also, just for me. they are taking off work (AMAZING). i have one sister who cries with me. the support is what i need and they are giving it to me too. my daughter wont talk about it and my son hugs me everytime he passes me and is here everyday and i haven't even been dx with anything yet. this is what keeps me going on with the hope. my grandson who is 5 and stayed with me for the first 4 years of his life told me he's gonna be a doctor when he grows up so he can fix his mamaw. what can i say after that. i just want to hug him for the rest of my life. hang in there with us all. god bless u and this site and all of these wonderful women. it's a godsend.

Well I got the reorts....my appointment isn't until the end of next week so if anyone can help me make heads or tails of this...I'd so appreciate it.

Ultrasound

Findings At the 1 o clock position of the left breast, there is an oblong hypoechoic area measuring 6 to 7 mm in the greatest dimension. It has an echogenic center. It is about 5 mm deep from the skin surface at the 1 o clock position in the area of the  palable lump. There is another incidental finding of a hypoechoic structure in the posterior one-third of the left breast at the 1 o clock position measuring 6 mm

On ultrasound examination of the right breast, there is an oblong hypoechoic structure measuring 7mm in the posterior one third. It is about 9mm deep from the skin surface. These hypoechoic lesions in both breasts are wider than taller.

Impression Multiple hypoechoic structures in both breasts. Repeat U/S in three months is recommended to check stability.

Mammo

Findings There is heterogeneously dense fibroglandular breast parenchyma bilaterally. On the spot compression views, there are asymetric densities in both breasts

BI-RADS Category 3

Hi Worrier

You  have to stay positive.....as hard as that is for me to do too...but I kinda look at it this way....Right now...I still have a choice.

I can choose to believe it's one of the many other things that it could be, or.....

I could choses to believe it's cancer, and be absolutly miserable until I found out something. Yes, those thoughts still creep in, but I tell myself no...it's just an infection. I have no clue...but that's the whole point. Yes it's hard...yes pray...be aware of what you're putting in your body and how you take care of it....but try to stay positive. It's hard...gosh it's hard, but we have to try!

Keep looking up...You're in my prayers too!

Michele,  it sounds from both your ultrasound and mammogram that you have fibrocystic breasts.  The types of conditions described in both reports are consistent with normal fibrocystic breast tissue.  While some lucky women have perfectly soft, smooth breast tissue, about 50% - 60% of us have lumpy bumpy breasts with breast tissue that varies in density throughout.  That's what the descriptions from your mammogram and ultrasound sound like.  The good news is that there are no "red flags" to indicate the possibility of malignancy, things like spiculated or angled margins, a mass that's more tall than wide, suspicious shadowing, etc..  This is why you've been given a BIRADS 3 rating.  BIRADS 3 means "Probably Benign" with a recommendation that there be a follow-up within a "short interval" (usually 3 months to 6 months).   With a BIRADS 3 rating, there should be less than a 2% chance of malignancy.  If there had been anything more suspicious, then you would have been given a BIRADS 4 rating, which would have meant that a biopsy was recommended (although 80% of biopsies do end up being benign).

Here are a couple of websites with information that might help you.  The first explains BIRADs ratings and the recommended follow-up procedures.  The second explains how to read an ultrasound and what radiologists are looking for.   

http://www.radiologyassistant.nl/en/4349108442109

http://www.imagingeconomics.com/issues/articles/2002-03_03.asp

Worrier, at the age of 24, the likelihood that you have breast cancer is extremely slim.  But there are a couple of types of benign lumps that are quite common in younger women.  First is a fibroadenoma.  I had two by the time I was in my early twenties.  These are solid lumps and are completely harmless.  Next is a cyst, which is a fluid filled lump.  99% of cysts are completely harmless.  So definitely get your lump checked out - any change in your breasts always has to be checked out - but try not to worry.  Chances are high that your lump won't turn out to be anything serious.

Joan, if you have multiple lumps within both breasts, it's highly unlikely that you have breast cancer.  Breast cancer most often shows up in one breast, in one location.  To have several cancerous lumps in both breasts would be extremely unusual.  On the other hand, it's very common to have lots of cysts at the same time and in both breasts.  So that's most likely what you have.  It's also possible to have several fibroadenomas.  Still, as I said to Worrier, it's important to get yourself checked out - don't ignore this.  Chances are that everything will be okay but any change to your breasts should always be checked out.

Thanks for all the great info Bessie.

So when I go in for my appointment what questions are important to ask. Should I be concerened about the discharge and the increased size of the left breast. What about the color? It looks like a trail of pink coming out of the top of the areola towards the underarm area. I just want to do everything and anything I can to avoid being in the same shoes as my mother and grandmother.

Anyone...please!

The Fear puts us in such an empty hideous void...the way out is to hit it head-on!!  You need the answers...good or bad...THEN you can dealwith it and that will help with the paralyzing fear....

the fear that is leftover?...pray sister...God has always been there for me and I ve been thru worse than my cancer situation...He is faithful...just look at the boards...we are all angels, right?

michelle ((((hugs))))

If you still have insurance, you should go, even if you don't have insurance, you should go. The cost of the fear of  the unknown is too high.  Maybe you can call the office and explain what's going on & they can tell you if it is something that you have go in to hear? If there is something, ignoring it won't make it go away, and if there isn't anything, then you can focus on all the other things in your life.

please take care of yourself. 

To quote a very wonderful man.....LEROY SIEVERS.....He said "waiting for test results, scans and labs is like slow agonizing water torture."  I read his blog for a very long time via NPR before he passed away this passed August of Cancer. 

 Now I can't tell you what to do to ease your mind, but I would encourage you to contact the doctors office again.  Be persistant. Keep in mind...."He who is the loudest wins".  Stay on them.  Insist that the doctor return your call!   If they can not get the doctor to return your call with this information, then ask them if you can schedule a payment plan for the visit. I think knowing what you are dealing with will help guide you.  My thoughts are with you.