I'm 29 years old. I found a lump in my right breast a week after my daughter was born (she's now 4 months old). I talked to my OBGYN about it, and she scheduled an ultrasound. The ultrasound found absolutely nothing. The lump is still there; obgyn referred me to a surgeon. I am scheduled for an appointment tomorrow with a surgeon. What can I expect?
I'm young with no history of cancer in my family. What's the probability of this just being normal breast tissue?
I'm nervous. My best friend is as we speak having her mastectomy. I have watched her go through chemo which didn't shrink the tumor instead it doubled.
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leaf Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 5,944 |
Nov 4, 2009 03:48 pm
leaf wrote:
You can expect a physical exam by the breast surgeon, and questions about your family history (if it includes breast cancer, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer.) It is possible the surgeon will do a fine needle biopsy at the office visit. Of course you are scared, who wouldn't be scared? Different studies will differ. The two studies I am citing are quite old (technology has improved in the ensuing decades). But I'm just trying to give you some vague idea. In this small study of women <35 years old, 1 woman (2.5%) (38/40 had a palpable lump) had invasive breast cancer. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8506971 In this series of lumps in young women, 99% were benign. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/4070115 That doesn't mean you should cancel your appointment with your surgeon. Probably ?most of the breast cancers seen in women under the age of 35 were lumps or thickenings, since they normally do not have routine mammograms. The incidence of breast cancer in young women with no history of cancer is small, but its good you are getting it checked out. Best wishes. Let us know how it goes, OK? If you're going through hell, keep going-Winston Churchill
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Sue-61 Joined: May 2009 Posts: 212 |
Nov 4, 2009 04:30 pm, edited Nov 4, 2009 04:31 PM
by Sue-61
Sue-61 wrote:
Leaf, your answers are always so "on the money" that I love reading them. KIM, are you breast feeding? Could it be a milk duct? I did not breast feed but my breasts were really weird after my children were born. And with all the hormonal changes going on post partum......I actually had a mole removed from my breast after I delivered my first daughter (who is older than you, by the way) as it had somehow changed after delivery. Go figure. Strange things happen with all the hormonal changes. Please don't leave us hanging, let us know how you make out! Sue PS, I am sure your friend having cancer is scaring you a lot..... Sue-61
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klm79 Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 3 |
Nov 4, 2009 05:07 pm
klm79 wrote:
Thanks ladies. I will be sure to let you know! I am breastfeeding. We were hoping that it was just a clogged milk duct but they told me that it would have shown up on the ultrasound. I'm still pretty confident that it will be nothing, but I hate needles and anything of the like, so I'm getting nervous just with that. |
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Sue-61 Joined: May 2009 Posts: 212 |
Nov 4, 2009 05:20 pm
Sue-61 wrote:
KIM, even tho I never breast fed, 2 of my 3 dtrs did. Wonderful for them. One of them had clogged ducts and they self resolved. She never had an ultrasound and her child is now 9. I think the docs now are being super cautious.....you know that insurance is pricey for these docs..........and this is a GOOD THING, even though it scares the heck out of the patient. I applaud your doctor for good follow through. You will not feel the "needles"......they will numb the area. Do some slow, deep breathing...... Again .....let us know. I have a great feeling that you are fine. Been thru this stuff with my adult daughters .....and kiss the kiddo for me! Grammy Sue Sue-61
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