Breast Cancer Symptoms - a comprehensive list from those w/bc
Comments
-
Kayce-- do you have a rash along with it ? is the itching on only one part of the breast? does it include the nipple?
0 -
April, Asilkman, Edwards, thanks for sharing.
Asilkman, it is disconcerting to hear the lump is now a mass to you. Keep on searching for your answers, that is what this thread is for, to realize there is no one cancer alike. I know that the US missed the positive nodes in axilla where three were left from surgery. The PET CT scan caught them, so you never know.
Kayce - same for you, have to talk to the doctors, always, and then keep on until you feel certain of what you are told to believe. For me, after the mammos, lumpectomy and SNB then two mo later all the pain still in breast and 6 more slides of mammos, I was burning and itching, I was terrified I now had IBC, but it finally subsided two months later and recent PET CT showed nothing in breasts. So for me it was healing, there were a lot of physical feelings that I can hardly explain. Wishing you the best too.
0 -
Had major STRESS 2 years before diagnosis - break up of relationship was the biggest. Then I started having severe breast pain. I couldn't sleep some nights it was so bad. Thought it was menopause related. And everything I read said breast pain equals no cancer. Major sign. Then I started feeling fluid moving in my breast - well, it was because duct was blocked. I had no clue!
A small lump appeared out of nowhere. My BS called it my save your life lump. It caused me to run to the doctor. That lump wasn't the problem it was the 6 cm lump underneath that could not be felt. Even BS had some trouble as I was large breasted.
I had signs, just didn't pay enough attention.
0 -
Asilkman, I'd suggest an appointment with a specialist breast clinic. I'm not familiar with the American health system, but any lump that you're worried about should be biopsied. Mine didn't show on a mammogram or ultrasound and it was only the biopsy that showed the cancer that turned out to be 4cms, stage 3. Most likely yours will be benign but the biopsy will give you peace of mind, and if not, you can get treatment before it has a chance to grow.
0 -
Thank you to all for sharing your personal experiences. While it makes me a little more nervous for my upcoming mammo, it helps me to be more assertive with my dr. I have breast symptoms, including a lump and discharge from one breast, but have also been extremely tired, nauseous, and have low Vit D, which is new for me. Being at the beginning of this roller coaster and not wanting to concern family and friends (other than my extremely supportive hubby), it sure is nice having a place to turn!
0 -
I agree! Thanks for sharing these personal experiences. I think it helps me feel less like a crazy person and more like, regardless if it's nothing,(oh please oh please) I did the right thing trusting my instincts about this.
Much love to you all0 -
Julie and Karey - come back and let us know how it goes. Thanks for posting after reading, it gets the thread to active status so more people on bco know and post too, really helps. Don't want to share, readers, just write bump in reply box and submit. Thanks.
0 -
While breastfeeding my baby, I felt as though my milk was never emptying (my breast felt full all the time). I thought that I may have an infection. Turns out, my breast was full of DCIS. Apparently, thickening is a symptom. After my mastectomy, they discovered IDC - two small tumours and a small amount in my lymph nodes. I'm so thankful for my doctor who sent me to a specialist to check things out. Ultimately, he saved my life!
0 -
Momtomygirls - that is harsh! Thank you for sharing. I just read a book by a woman who found the mass right before the birth of their daughter, so young.
Everyone - inviting you to go to this bco thread and post slogans for the upcoming Breast Cancer Awareness Month. These slogans are not what you think... this is a place to do some venting. Please pass it forward to your favorite threads. Thanks
0 -
wow momtomygirls! Thanks for posting your info. Ive never heard of that - and yes, thank god for your doc who had you investigate it!!
0 -
Adding my bit, I felt totally exhausted. Knowing this was not normal, I must have been hypervigilant to find my lump when I did. I have no idea how long it had been there but there was definitely some swelling, increasing pain and the skin in that area was turning pinkish. Oh, I was forgetting the dimple, that definitely confirmed it for me. I also experienced emotional trauma prior to all this.
It now seems so long ago !!
0 -
It seems that we really have to advocate for ourselves. With all the awareness programs it seems some Drs dont take us seriously.
I saw a small dimple in the lower part of my breast, I really thought it was cellullite but as my mum had BC 10 years ago I got it checked. I couldn't feel a lump. I also had hormonal migraines (during my periods) return after many years, Drs don't think that is relevant but I disagree.
I saw a registrar as my usual doc wasn't available. He sent me for mammo, US and they did biopsy while there. My lump was small and Grade1 so I was assured that it wouldn't be a problem. Interestingly it was a friend with BC who said don't count on it being simple as you have dimpling - no Dr told me that.
I had multi-focal cancer (not found on US or mammo) and 3 +ve nodes with extracap extension.
My usual GP actually said he wouldn't have found lump and that I had the 'good cancer'. I swapped GP.
0 -
Ruby and Katopet, thanks for sharing.
Anyoe reading, if you don't wish to share, just please type 'bump' in the reply box and submit, it will keep this thread out there for others to learn from our experiences. Thanks!
0 -
Great thread, and it has certainly made me think.
I'm 48. Mine was found as a large area of microcalcifications on a mammogram, about 16 months after my last "clear" mammo. It was not palpable. There was no lump. The follow-up ultrasound could not "see" the calcifications.
Even though my sister was diagnosed with breast cancer at 40, I still thought breast cancer would present as a lump. Her BCRA test was negative.
I experienced no actual symptoms, but here are some other things of note:
- Stress. Stress. Stress. Overwork. I have a high-stress job, and for the last 10 years I've experienced a lot of personal stress. I wear my stress in my shoulders, and have migraines.
- I always had one black hair on the areola of the affected breast, and the areola always had small bumps on it.
- About 5 years ago, the nipple of the affected breast was itching so much it drove me crazy. I mentioned it to my GP but the itching went away on its own.
- I had a scary episode of vertigo, which I had never before experienced, a month or so before diagnosis. I still had dizzy episodes weeks later.
- I was diagnosed with borderline-high blood sugar a few months before my mammogram. This surprised the heck out of me. Diabetes does not run in the family. I attributed it to medication I am on for tachycardia, but didn't follow it up further because I was sidelined by my diagnosis.
0 -
Gumshoe, weird! I also had that one black hair and I also had borderline blood sugar when DXed, still do, and it is weird since I am thin, eat well, exercise, no family history.
Do your doctors have any idea why your blood sugar is high and/or what relationship it has to cancer?0 -
Momine -- wow, very weird. The black hair was random and I just trimmed it every week or so. I sure miss it now!
Re the blood sugar: I haven't had it checked since, but both my doctor and I were surprised at the time. We eat mostly organic and I never had a sweet tooth (I have a salty tooth, if there's such a thing), and I'm fairly thin as well. I'll have it rechecked eventually, but now of course I'm curious whether it's a common precursor!0 -
I have been dealing with shooting stinging pain both breasts., worst on the left side breast. I have been also complaining for years, about the feelinging of something hard in my left armpit. Almost like I'm hitting something when I put my arm down(like a little ball). I have had ultrasounds but they see nothing. I just had a mammogram 6months ago, they said there is a nodule in the left breast, they want to watch and check in 6months for changes. I too have an issue with exhaustion, craving sweets. I can never seem to get enough sleep, I lost the energy to want to do anything. I am very tender in the breast, and am fibrocystic. (thats what ive been told) I am frustrated because I have been complaining with this issue for many years. I have my six month check in September for the nodule.
0 -
Hi everyone good thread. For me, prior to my dx noticed my boob was always itchy , dry and chaffed, ( specially around the areola) I also had the odd shooting pain. I did reg. checks but never felt anything ( those are the days I thought you had to feel a lump and that cancer didn,t hurt, haha on me) Oh and I did have the odd feeling that I was leaking but schluffed it off as post menopausal stuff. Now that i am dealing with right breast, left breast is showing some action (micro calcification) so I am learning to be more aware and more vigilant.
0 -
Ygandy
Welcome, even though it is a 'club' we would rather not need, but we are here to support each other, and I have found the gals wonderful support., I don't post a lot, but I read several of the forums.
If I was in your shoes, I would find me another doctor for a 2nd opinion......(if necessary even a 3rd or 4th). We have to be our own advocate. I would encourage you to try to find physcian that has had a lot of successful treatments of patients with BC. I am fortunate, that even though I live in a small town (less than 4000), to have good medical care available, and we are only 70 miles from Lincoln, which has some excellent cancer specialists, and our local doctors are not hesitant to refer us to the "big guns" when necessary....
Please keep us updated on your experiences...
Vickie
0 -
age 55, hadn't had any mammos yet (no bc in the family) and never went to the doctor much at all. Had a bit of pain near the sternum, when rubbing at it, found the lump. And I knew right then on some kind of visceral level. Went in to see the GP who said it was probably nothing but sent me to the Breast Center for my first mammo the next day. Bang, I win the lotto--mammo, US, core biopsies all in under an hour (with potential bad news thrown into the mix)
I do remember some months prior, feeling shooting pains in the breast--enough to get my attention but then they subsided.
And also, kind of weird--for some months prior, I began to have a sense of impending doom or something. I started dreaming about being in a hospital (never have been in one before) and I felt like I was "waiting' for something bad to happen--hard to explain.
Actually at the time, was feeling pretty good physically--very actively working and all. Now I'm dealing with severe joint pain, fatigue, weight gain, and nearly bankrupt from all the medical bills, lol.
0 -
Vickie, PuppetLady, Yegandy, Momine, Gumshoe, Roberta - thank you all for sharing.
The comment about the vertigo reminded me of the months I had vertigo, GP rx did not cure, then went to other GP and rx seemed to sure, may have been ear, but it just makes you wonder. I would get dizzy just sitting and working, things would whirl. That was around the time I lost my memory completely for a time so hard to decide what came first. Thanks for the memories hahaha *_* I know if I had even thought I had cancer back then and had any memory to do anything for myself, it woukd have changed the timeline for treatment choices I made later and could have made a difference on this getting into my lymph nodes. Have noticed that no one so far has mentioned memory loss, though many say memory issues. My memory was so gone I had to look up my DSister's phone number 5 x before being able to call, forgot a number I had knows for maybe 20 years, then forgot it everytime I looked it up and closed the book, then forgot and looked it up and you get it. That examples shows both kinds of memory loss / issues. Anyone have loss? Names, how to get places, how to drive, rules of road, how to use a computer, how to cook what you had been making for decades?
LOVEssa
of note - have adapted my avatar and sig more to my personality, cranky but cute and nice, bluebirds are nice, right?
Again, thanks for sharing and getting the word out.
0 -
Crazy! Almost a year ago I went to the doctor for severe vertigo. They had me do some movements and told me it was an inner ear infection. So it persisted and I just dealt with it until 5 months ago I finally couldnt even stand up straight! I kept trying to put my daughters clothes on (shes 3) and I kept tipping sideways. It seems like I just kept trying to pretend everything would be ok. Doctor gave me a rx this time and it seemed to help after 2 weeks but I am still experiencing vertigo and dizziness. I feel like it wakes me up in just laying in bed most mornings. Around the same time I also went to the doctor because I couldnt exercise at all without being out of breath. Now walking around the house makes me out of breath. Even just standing there I feel like I need to take these huge breaths through my mouth, because I feel like I can't breath. I'm only 110 lbs so I know that its not my weight! Now 2 months ago I found a lump in my left breast. I have an ultrasound tomorrow but I'm only a little nervous knowing that most breast lumps are benign. I am also 20 years old. My family says its better to be safe and get it checked. My lump hurts and it seems like I have another one...or one thats connected? Can't tell really? Its just tender to touch, and it itches. Also it seems like my nipple has increased in sensitivity? Like its hardened easily if that makes sense? (anyone else?) It also has flecks of red (like raw,maybe from pressure) in it, but no discharge? Theres just so much heaviness. I guess I just want to know if anyone relates to this?
0 -
About a year ago, I started having hot flashes, at work, at home, in bed, but I dismissed them as meno symptoms. 3 months ago, I started feeling nausea, I would wake up with nausea and headache nearly every day. The headache was dull but constant and fueled the nausea, thought it was a sinus infection, went dr took antibiotic which didn't make the nausea or headache better and left me with a yeast infection. Also noticed a huge difference in my sweat smell, like a musty disgusting smell. Chalked that off to menopause too. Had also been super tired, all the time, some balance problems, dizzy spells and back pain. Right breast started to feel tender and sore.
Have had anxiety problems for a decade, but got it under control after several years of medication, stopped meds, and panic subsided. Found a lump in my right breast 2 months ago in the shower, but waited to call doctor because of insurance issues. Went to ER almost 3 wks ago because of the SEVERE nausea and headache, also vision problems and then panic attack. All scared the crap out of me. ER doc set me up with drs to check out the lump. Found out it was BC two wks ago. Mammo's and US found 3 masses, not staged yet, still waiting on pieces of the pathology. I wasn't blind sided by it, I knew something was very wrong, I'm just sorry I didn't listen to my inner voice sooner...
0 -
MrsKimber47 - so sorry about this and your awaiting staging. I, too, have regrets that I didn't listen to my body a year and a half before diagnosis. Had severe breast pain - everything says breast pain no cancer, plus I had other symptoms but also thought menopause. I, too, had a change in the smell of my sweat. Thought it was my bra and the heat causing it, but it was totally different than I ever had before then. I also had two boils in my groin area. Since my lymph nodes were heavily involved, I've been told it was my body fighting the cancer most likely.
We all did the best we could do with the knowledge we had, but it is still difficult to look back and think IF ONLY ...
Thoughts and prayers are with you...
0 -
Denise- I too am so sorry for all you've been through. It sucks, cancer sucks and sometimes we suck for not paying close enough attention. But, you always think "that won't happen to me, that happens to other people." But...I always say it is what it is, and we cannot take it back. Its a journey of epic proportions for sure. Many hugs to you and God Bless
0 -
My left breast seemed a little larger
I smelled things that were not there and could not be described
Loss of hair
Tired
Then Lump and some pain
Denial of doctors
I kept on the doctors and then
DX0 -
MissAye, MrsKimber, Denise and Cyborg - hi - see you are discussing that unnatural smell - I had that too. Underarms, would not wash off no matter the soap I used. I could swim in pool for an hour and shampoo and bathe in pool (it was ours hahahha) and when I got out, the underarms were still sour. That was right before and after the mass was discovered by me.
I appreciate everyone telling what they have been through, there are not many posts but there have been 4,909 views aas of this moment.
On the other thread I started after the SE thread - because half the people said they had pain!!! - there have been 7,730 views. Please participate there too, we are helping women and men know that they have to push through the medical wall of it's just fibroids, it's just inflammation, it's just calcification, let's wait and see, the mammo shows nothing, the ultrasound found nothing unusual, the biopsy was benign ------ all when we know somthing feels very wrong with us.
Thank you.
LOVEEssa
0 -
MadBlue-birdEssa - so glad you started this thread and the thread about the pain.
I wrote about Breast Pain Can Be Cancer on my Blog. Trying to get that word out there as well as I knew something was desperately wrong with me because of severe breast pain. Everything I read said no cancer. WRONG!
I can't paste the link to my Blog as it won't let me, but it is down below. Search on
Breast Pain Can be Cancer
0 -
You know what's funny to me, but leaves me feeling elated! The fact that I had severe breast pain in the opposite breast and some thickening, which started a few days ago. It scared me enough to bring it up to my onc. He sent me for US today and the radiologist saw nothing concerning. While this makes me very very happy, it leaves me feeling vulnerable, like what if something has started, but is not yet visible? Anyone else have this issue?
0 -
I've read a lot of you talk about BO, but I've noticed an increase in sweat, I mean I walk the dogs, it's 55 degrees out and Im wearing light pants, short sleeve shirt and I come back drenched in sweat. I'm not running or even walking fast either. Then later I get cold and can't get warm. Extremes... Also, I have these little sores or red rough area, ulcer like in the crease of my mouth, they get a little better, then get a little worse. I was thinking that might be stress, but I dont' know. And I have kind of an ache in the "bad" boobs armpit area, could that be from the biopsy though? My imagination?
0
