Does Breast Cancer Hurt - honest truth from bc patients
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Never had a pain, never had a lump- never had a clue.
My GYN could not feel it and neither could my BS or RO . They said it was deep inside the chest wall.
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I felt pain beneath my left breast on the rib bone. When I was taking a shower I noticed a small bump on the bone about the size of a pea. It was very painful when I touched it. I could feel no lump in my breast at all so I was sure it was just a spur or something on my rib bone. Then it gradually broke through the skin and I still didn't go to the doctor since I was uninsured and absolutely sure it was something wrong with my rib. It hurt only when I touched it so I worked on finding insurance since I knew I had to address it but this was over the course of a few months. By the time the opening was about 1 inch long I got health coverage but had to wait for the appointment with my primary physican (3 week wait). A couple weeks before my appointment I freaked out when the opening started to bleed so I went to the ER. They did a sonigram and told me I had breast cancer although they couldn't feel any lump in my breast either. Subsequently a MRI showed a 3cm tumor 4" deep in my breast that had moved to the bone and caused a pathological fracture. I was diagnosed as Stage IV. Funny thing is that I used to swim almost every day and sometimes when the water was cold and I would get chilled, I would always first feel it deep in the rib bone on my left side.
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NBBFFL - I am so sad to hear this has hit you so hard. And w no insurance. Can you get on disability now since you are already at stage IV. I think so.
BLUE - you need to find a dr to listen and truly diagnose. So many will ppass it off as nothing, so be careful. You can feel it. I have heard of many who had nothing on tests and found the mass soon after, that being an aggressive form. Mine was very aggressive and changeable.
Here is a link I would love for you to copy and paste your experiences on too, I started this thread first then the one about pain later when about half the people said they had experienced pain as a symptom. Please do share there too. You are perfectly all right being here to share, ask questions and explore the entire bco site for help and info. I was on here for hours a day at the beginning, I was lost without this site back then.
The Symptoms of Breast Cancer: A comprehensive list by bc people
http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/83/topic/784673?page=1#idx_23
Diane Essa
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I'm hoping that my lump is fibrocystic changes, I got to looking at the calander and see that my period is due this week. So I'm going to keep an eye on it and put a call in to my doctor if it doesn't go away. Thank you so much to everyone for all the information and support here!!
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Blue - do you have pain in your breast just when you are mid cycle or when your period rolls around? I agree with the others, I would get a few opinions...until someone gives you all the tests you are entitled to and finds answers. I have not been diagnosed with anything...but I had some sensations in my left breast almost all of 2011...I did not think anything of it...but noticed it became more frequent and started to pay attention...and then that following December the sensations turned into full blown pain in my left breast, with burning in my both arm pits, but mostly the left, nipple would start burning...and now 5 months later, I have a slightly inverted nipple...All these symptoms start when I am mid cycle or leading up to my period. I have maybe a week to two weeks peace and then it starts again.
I thought to myself too, after I went to the second doctor, who after an US and a breast exam, concluded that my symptoms were hormonal, that I would just wait and see what happened, I did not want to put myself into panic, as this whole process of going to the doctor was and still does take a very large toll on me emotionally due to other experiences I have made in my life.But the pain persisted and I got a 3 opinion and she found a lump and now I have a mammo on Wednesday....fingers crossed that I am ok. I am also hoping that it is just fibrocystic changes, but you never know until you get those tests!!!!Make the appointment today!!
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Thanks so much everyone for the sound advice!
Catmac sounds like we're in the same boat. I did call my dr and have an appointment Wednesday as well. Going to the dr is emotionally draining for me as well, which is why I was more than ready to wait and see. I've never had tender or painful breasts before my period. My "symptoms" seem to be more frequent lately, but I figure it's mental as I spend so much time here reading. Fingers crossed for you and I'll be thinking of you as we wait!0 -
Yes it does! Just got my second biopsy report DCIS!
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mine didn't, I never knew anything was wrong till I went back for a 2nd mammogram
Nancy
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Hi! I'm 27 years old and my mom and grandmother had breast cancer on their 30s. I've been having pain on my left breast for 3 months, sharp pain. I finally went to see a PA and she said it was muscular. However, the pain continued and I saw my primary physician today. She said my left breast was dense and lumpy. I'm having an ultrasound on Thursday and she referred me to a breast specialist. Should I be worried? I don't feel a lump but I definitely know there's something going on. I know my body! Thanks!
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Approximately 150 of the posts here were from diagnosed breast cancer people, and of those about half said they had pain. More importantly, they often said they got the run around before a true diagnosis. Thank you for shaiing, everyone, it keeps the thread active so more will know.
DianeEssa
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DianeEssa, thanks for starting this thread. It is SO IMPORTANT to get the word out that
Breast Cancer can have pain!! I sure wished I would have listened to the pain in my body a year
and a half before diagnosis and not everyone else!!
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Thanks to this forum I'm now going to advocate for myself and speak up. I know my body and this pain is not normal!
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Sharp, stabbing pains here too. Then it started hurting and went from a constant dull ache to just outright pain. Mammogram 5 months earlier never showed anything but luckily an ultrasound did when I got it checked out. Core biopsy proved it was IDC and initial tumour is 1.3cm (Grade 2). Now they found another larger hard lump around it (seems to be me to be about 10cm) and this never showed up on mammo or US. Not sure if it's flared up because of all the activity with my breast, but gawsh, this thing hurts more than the original tumour.
No idea what stage I am yet. The waiting is killing me. I just want everything out of me now!
P.S. I think it needs to be said too that you do not necessarily have to be in a higher stage before you feel pain. This could encourage a lot of women to seek answers if they are worried about hearing a worst diagnosis.
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(((((((Hope))))))). The waiting is so very hard! You are so right don't wait if something doesn't feel right. I mostly had achyness. I go in Tuesday for my partial Mastectomy. So far my tumor is measuring around 10 mm in diameter. Mine is tiny but the type isn't. It's DCIS ER- & PR- with the possibility of a Microinvasion. Grade 2-3. Mine although rare & tricky would of been worse if I had waited for my yearly mammo the end of June.
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What a great read this has been. I have been having night sweats for years, first I put it down to over doing the booze, then it was PMS. We certainly have to be our own advocates...
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Hello Ladies!
I am really glad this post is here. Thank you. I have had pain in my left breast for more than 6 months now. I have been to the Dr. I have had a mammogram and an ultrasound, both came back "normal". However, the pain is still there. My left breast is lumpier than the right suggesting fibrosis but, the pain is localized to a small area that I can feel a distinct difference. My Gyn told me not to be concerned because bc doesn't hurt. I feel it in my gut that something is wrong and I have not given up. I have an appoitment with a Breast Surgeon on Tuesday to get another opinion. What strikes me about some of these posts is the fact that so many of you are reporting not only the pain but, the correlation between the pain and emmotions and hormones. I , too have increased pain just before my period and any time I get over emmotional.
I am not a person who believes the worst things first. I am a very possitive person as well as a realistic person and I know something is wrong. The people in my life, other than my mother, all think I am crazy because I won't "let it go" because the mammogram and ultrasound were "normal". I have read that in my age group false negatives happen regularly though. I will let you all know how it turns out on Tuesday. I have to say, the women in these groups are AMAZING!! I am so greatful to have such a resource for strength and knowledge of a subject that is so very scary and real. Thank you. 0 -
If you haven't been there, here is the link to share your symptoms too.
http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/83/topic/784673?page=1#idx_23
With this link so lively, when women and men search breast cancer pain, does breast cancer hurt, etc... this thread comes up for them. We are helping us and others who were getting the wrong info.
Julz, Hope, everyone sharing - hugs all around. Keep on keeping on. And remember to bump the thread so more people read it and know.
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Hi,
Thank you for your great information.
Once again,thank you for visiting dose breast cancer hunt.we hope that we found more information about breast cancer.Also we hope your site all time update about breast cancer.
Thanks all
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my breast mass is totally painless. I just can feel it -stone hard.
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yes I had pain....thought it was a cyst...but it kept growing - also very tired. i sometimes feel the same kind of pain in good breast - keep thinking something is there and they are not seeing it. have told them this...but they insist i am 'clear'....listen to your body!
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I discovered my lump few months ago, and pain was sometimes like pulling , squising(sp?)
And as one lady said--reflecting on my emotions, by negative emotions started sharp pain.
Right now when my mind is more calm and broken heart is healed, then i feel some itching sensations, strange like a bug inside walking arround...just like healing wound(if somebody recognise that starnge itsching feeling)...no pain but some sensations...
yes, and then recently one day---all day was pain, i was in panic and nobody could answer me why...it was one day only and now its gone.
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I have a lump and feel stabbing pain through that breast into chest/ back only on the side of the breast with the lump, isn't that ironic. I am having upcoming mammo on Tuesday at Mayo Clinic. They do ultrasound with a radiologist following mammo. I am going to go in with questions. I then am having lumpectomy with bilateral reconstruction after healing from lumpectomy and finding out first if it is cancer. And this is after a bs told me it could be cancer with my bloody nipple discharge and what she feels and sees and the radiologist agreed but the surgeon said she did not see what they saw so started me with a needle biopsy and didn't even think that was necessarily needed. She said it would send us on a wild goose chase.
It came back benign. The radiologist that performed the biopy said do not take benign results as meaning anything and disagreed with not excising and checking it in slices because it is large and can have mixed areas. Then after 6 month follow up the surgeon says she would excise a large portion if it was her body and the bs changed and said it looks no cancerous and to do another mammo before going through such major procedures. The surgeon says would excise but she says it is not cancer, HM WHY is she recommending I go through so much then.
I will be totally changed with major scarring (fine if Cancer their breasts) but dont want to go through if not needed and I will be putting my family into bankruptcy for something that is normal. Please see my other post and offer any advice as I leave monday for out of town travel for this with surgery scheduled june 12.
A friend had a lump that hurt so bad she demanded it out after yearly (5 years) of needle biopsies showing it benign and it came back cancer. They said it is not cancer , she said I want it out because it hurts, and it was DCIS and she then had a mastectomy. Another question, is DCIS only in ducts? I seem to have a problem in my ducts and a lump separate but same breast is that odd or normal? Sorry of this is not very clear I have a pituitary tumor, autoimmune disease, autonomic neuropathy and am constantly in pain and sick and constantly aching and lethargic. I am desperate for help but trying to type quickly and rest. Xo love to all of you0 -
My mass is in my left breast and it feels kind of raw inside. It hurts to push on it and the whole breast feels heavy and funny. Will have surgery June 8 to see. Even my new breast surgeon made the comment, "since you went off hormone therapy 2 years ago, your body still produces a small amount of hormones, (had my ovaries taken out 30 years ago), and that can cause breast pain". Needless to say, I take all the comments with a grain of salt. My husband even rolled his eyes on her comment. I have learned in the past 32 years to have how I feel outweight a doctors idea. The main thing is to find out what is going on and let know one try and tell you what your body is saying.
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I can only speak from my experience, strength and hope. I would not allow the needle biopsy. Reasoning, that the medical community also now admits to a degree is that the trails of cancer are spread and they cannot guarantee they will take the sample from the right area, some of mass is cancer, some is not. And the core needle biopsy sometimes don't even get into the mass. And they hurt mor ethan surgery I was told. I reasoned to myself that is there is an uncontrollable mass in my breast, then I want it out no matter what, it was causing me pain, much much pain and it grew and got smaller and grew. So take it out, I said, then we will know if it is cancer and so they did. But the bs left a positive margin bcz unknown to me then though I was afraid of this happening and pushed for more testing before surgery...... he was not prepared with enough testing first too know it was multifocal. Ah well, it is only my life. Be on watch for all they do, it is your life too.
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My left breast itches a lot too. Going for lumpectomy on the 8th. Won't know what we are dealing with till then. Thanks for sharing. Now I know I am not crazy.
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My only pain is from treatment.
I felt nothing. No pain, no lump. All found on mammogram.
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I had terrible itching under my armpit and sure enough now that they remove 17 nodes and all positive I might add, all the itching has stopped. I had felt a lump 2 yrs prior and it hurt. They told me it was just a cyst, now the doctor in Boston said at one point I must have had a big mass that broke apart to explain all the microscopic cancer found in all my breast tissue. We need to listen to our own bodies and be more persistant.
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My breast cancer story:
April 2009: Noticed right breast pain which was mostly to the right of nipple. Pain was shooting, searing, sharp, burning & breathtaking. Upon SBE, no lump but I did notice very prominent veinous pattern coming down right breast. Veins were dark blue color & protruding. I had two menstrual cycles and pain continued through both, non-stop.
June 1 2009: Saw ARNP, whom I had been a patient of for 17 years. Her opinion was that my breast exam was not abnormal and she prescribed me an anti-inflammatory pain reliever and wanted to see me again in 6-8 weeks. She asked me if I was comfortable with this and I told her I was not. I told her I wanted to have a breast ultrasound done & then had to deal with her and her staff telling me that because my breast exam was "normal", my insurance would not cover the procedure. I was more than willing to pay for the US myself, but did need an order. I left that office with the receptionist telling me to contact them if I "came up with something" and that she would check with me in a few days. That night I was researching breast cancer symptoms on the internet and one website, TheBreastCancerSite (they help fund free mammograms with donations/clicks on their website), mentioned 1) Pain & 2) Prominent Veinous Pattern as symptoms. I think at some level, I knew that night. I called a dear friend (I call her my "Angel on Earth") who worked at my family doctor's office and discussed with her my problem. She said she would talk to ARNP the next morning, but actually she called her that night and immediately called me back & said not to worry, to come in the next day & they would take care of me. I was scheduled for Right Breast Diagnostic Mammogram & US. (I was 44 at the time & had begun annual mammograms at 40 with the most recent one being Negative in December 2008.)
June 2009: Had Right Breast Mammogram & "Targeted" Right Breast US, meaning they only US the area you indicate where pain and/or lump is. Mammogram was again Negative, with US, Radiologist recommended that "If patient's pain persists, recommend Breast MRI".
July 10 2009: Had Breast MRI. Those results indicated the mass and I was scheduled for Right Breast Biopsy.
July 27 2009: Radiologist did US prior to Biopsy, I guess to confirm MRI. She did a WHOLE BREAST ULTRASOUND. ...and there it was, lower right quadrant, very irregular borders. I asked Radiologist why technician (separate facility) only performed US of area I pointed to. She said different facilities/doctors have different protocols & sometimes even doctors in same facility have different protocols.
July 29 2009: got the phone call that changed my world.
What I have learned:
1) We know our bodies best, do NOT let anyone negate your intuitions, no exceptions.
2) Educate yourself, research is a great tool, it allows you to make informed decisions.
3) If you are not satisfied with your doctor/team, go somewhere else. Trust & faith in your providers is key in treatment and healing.
4) Allow your friends/loved ones to help you. If they offer it, they mean it. Give them the gift of valuing their existence in your life by sharing it with them.
5) Distance yourself from people that harbour negativity and fear and sadness and drama....you get the picture
Thank you DianeEssa!! Didn't realize I had so much to say til I saw your topic & started remembering everything I went through.
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Wow, Psalm.
I have a pattern of prominent veins, one one breast, which I am sniffy about. What a story!
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This is an important post - mine did hurt, mostly an ache and it was most prominent with my period. My Dr told me to come back after my next period that it was likely a cyst. Although that was what I wanted to hear, in hindsight I would have asked what is the next step if it is still there in a month and what is the harm in doing that now? I think because mine did hurt, and everyone said it wasn't supposed to hurt I was less assertive. If you are worried and haven't been diagnosed, don't worry until you know what you are dealing with but don't dismiss anything.
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