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scared about mamagram...

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Posted 10/14/2004 5:29 PM (GMT 0)
I have chrohns disease so I usually read the posts there. Last week I went to my doctor for a physical and he found a few lumps in my breast and also when he touched the top part it hurt really bad and he said it feels like a mass or something like that. I have a mamagram on Monday followed by an ultrasound, I am really scared because I have never had one done and I'm 41. I am praying that their only cyst but what scares me is the pain when he touches there. What will the mamagram and ultrasound be able to show? There is no breast cancer in my family but I hear that doesn't matter. Anyone have any advice that will calm my nerves.

Thanks

Krista

Posted 10/14/2004 6:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Krista, welcome! Sorry you are going through this scare right now. About 80% of breast lumps are benign. Lumps can be solid (tumor) or fluid filled (cyst). Most cysts are benign, and most tumors are benign, called a fibroadenoma. There are a few other benign conditions too, and cancer is one of the least likely situations. You are right, family history has little bearing. Having a history in the family might make you more sucesptible, but regardless, it is most important to check out.

A mammogram is an x-ray. They will position your breast between two (cold) plates, and they will manipulate and move you to be just right. Then they will apply compression and your eyes will widen, you will say ouch, and then it is over. It is momentarily uncomfortable.

Mammograms are standard as first line in trying to diagnose a problem. Some things are not visible on a mammogram, either due to dense breast tissue, shadows, or for an unknown reason it is not picked up. Don't freak if they need to do a repeat picture..it does not necessarily mean they found something, but often there is movement and they need a clear shot.

Ultrasound is painless. They will rub jelly on your breast and run the wand over the area and take pictures on the screen. The ultrasound can help determine if it is solid or fluid filled, can help locate the location in the breast...in my case, at age 30, my tumor was not picked up on the mammogram but was plainly visible on the u/s.

Lumpy breasts are common. Have you felt these before? Most likely it is nothing, but please don't let anyone brush you off telling you that you are too young or not at risk. If you are a woman, you are at risk. Best to just get it checked out. I would also recommend that you obtain copies of the radiology reports for your own records.

Good luck,
Lori
Posted 10/14/2004 6:16 PM (GMT 0)
Krista,
All I can say is that I'm glad your doctor is making sure everything is ok. 80% of all breast lumps are benign. Just try to hang in there and not worry at this point. I know the waiting sucks, but hopefully by this time next week you will have the relief of knowing it is nothing.

Hugs,
Julie
Posted 10/14/2004 6:36 PM (GMT 0)

Thanks very much for responding, it makes me feel a little better knowing most of the time its cyst etc. I have never felt this before but I have to be honest I don't do the exam as much as I should. I lost alot of weight about 4 years ago when down to 88 pounds with a flare up, and have gained back about a 100 so I'm hoping its fatty tissue. I think as soon as we hear lump or mass we automatically think of cancer. Thanks again and will let you know how it goes..

Thanks

Krista

Posted 10/14/2004 8:59 PM (GMT 0)
Krista, Lori gave you a lot of good, solid information. Just wanted to extend a welcome to our board and wish you luck. You are doing the right thing in getting these lumps checked out. I hope breast self exams and an annual mammogram become a routine part of your health care program. At 41 you should be having mammograms on a regular basis. My lump was papable (you could feel it), and it showed up on the mammogram. The surgeon said it had a classic cancer shape, so when he told me the biopsy was positive, I was sad but not shocked. Sending you benign wishes. Please keep us posted. We are here for you no matter what the outcome. Take care and good luck, Lauri
Posted 10/20/2004 3:43 PM (GMT 0)

Well I had my mammagram on Monday, they called me yesterday to tell me I need a ultrasound done. Why would I need a ultrasound done, doesn't the mammagram show anything they need to see. What would they be looking for in the ultrasound I was scared before the mammagram now I am really scared. Any advice would be really needed here.

Thanks

Krista

Posted 10/20/2004 5:12 PM (GMT 0)

Hi!

You probably need an ultrasound because you have dense breast tissue.  It's a logical next step after a mammogram.  It's a tool to help them determine what's going on.  It doesn't mean there's anything wrong necessarily.   So hang in there and let us know what happens. 

Hugs,

Rita

Posted 10/20/2004 11:57 PM (GMT 0)
Krista, Rita gave you great advice. Just take a deep breath and like MK would say...don't worry till you know you have something to worry about (or something like that) Hang in there and keep us posted.

Sara
Posted 10/21/2004 12:19 AM (GMT 0)
Krista, we all seem to agree that the tests and waiting can be very nerve wracking. Try to take 1 step at a time, which is easier said than done.

An ultrasound looks at things differently. You had a palpable lump...maybe it did not show up on the mammo, so they need to look another way. That is what happened to me, I was 30, and mammograms are not the best for young women due to dense breast tissue. In my case, the u/s gave lots of valuable information, whereas the mammo showed nothing.

Since you do have a lump, it is also possible that the mammo picked it up, and this is a way to get a better look at what it might be and get the position. It just means they need to use a different way to look, it does not automatically mean they found anything to worry about.

You might want to get a copy of your mammogram report for your records.
Good luck!
Lori
Posted 10/28/2004 6:27 PM (GMT 0)

Thanks for all the advice it sure does help. I had my ultrasound on Tuesday now its just a waiting game for the results. When they were doing the ultrasound the tech told me to wait he had to show the pic to the specialist before I go, he came back and said he wants more pics but on a different part of the breast I hope that isn't a bad sign. I was at my doctors office on Wednesday he said the mammo showed a lump in the breast and than he used some big word I don't understand, he said depending what the ultrasound shows next step is seeing a breast specialist. I had my mammo and than the next day the hospital called me back so I didn't get to see the doctor before I had the ultrasound and all the tech said he they saw a lump and need to find out more. This waiting is awful. I will let you know when I get the results of my ultrasound.

Thanks again

Krista

Posted 10/28/2004 8:35 PM (GMT 0)
Krista, the waiting really is hard! Worrying won't change the results, I always tell myself...so I try try try to think of other things. Hopefully the word he used was fibroadenoma, which is simply a benign tumor. Still it is best for it to come out, so don't panic just because they refer you to a breast doc. The mammo and u/s will give the specialist a good picture and idea.

Good luck!
Lori
Posted 10/28/2004 10:00 PM (GMT 0)
Krista, I can not add to what everyone is telling you. I just wanted to tell you I hope all goes well. Good Luck to you, Joyce
Posted 10/29/2004 12:31 AM (GMT 0)
Krista, just wanted to say I am waiting with you along with all the other friends here. Hang in there hon! L&H, Gail
Posted 10/30/2004 3:03 PM (GMT 0)
Just wanted to add my hugs to the waiting game. It is terrible to wait. Seeing a breast specialist is the best way to go, so it seems like you are being well taken care of. Hang in there and we can help when you need us. Hugs MK
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