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found a lump - have a question

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Breast Cancer
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Posted 5/23/2005 3:13 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone,

I found a lump in my breast last week and went to the clinic (my doc was away) to have it checked out. He told me I need to stop drinking caffeine, and see my doc right away so he can arrange the necessary tests. I have an appointment for this coming Thursday, but I have a question and don't want to wait until then for answers. confused

Everything I've read said that if the lump moves, I probably have nothing to worry about. Is this true? I don't want to go in there thinking there is nothing wrong, and then get totally blind-sided. I'm not high risk - I'm only 31 and have no family history of breast cancer.

I hope you all don't mind me posting here, as I haven't been diagnosed with anything, and it may just be a cyst....but I thought I can probably get better info here then from anywhere!

Thank you.

Posted 5/23/2005 4:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there-
Welcome, and no, we don't mind you posting here! Anyone with breast concerns has a right to be here, but sorry you are going through this now. I was 30 when I went through it, and it sure was darn frightening. They do say that if it is moveable it is a good sign, but I have to say it is not always right. Mine was "moveable" but it was cancer. I am not trying to scare you, as about 80% of breast lumps are benign...I just don't want your docs to tell you not to worry about it just BECAUSE it is moveable and you are young.

It probably is nothing, but the only way to know for sure is more tests and a biopsy. They may do an ultrasound which will tell them if it is fluid or solid. FLuid means it is a cyst. Some people have more cystic breasts that change with their caffeine intake and the menstrual cycle. The doc probably told you to cut the caffeine just so you could see if it changes.

You are doing the right thing by checking it out...and when it turns out to be nothing, we suggest retail therapy!

Keep us posted,
Lori
Posted 5/23/2005 4:37 PM (GMT 0)
Aaaaahhhh yes....retail therapy!!! My six year old son has Crohn's disease and retail therapy often gets me through the hard times. No matter what the results of my tests are I think some retail therapy will be in order.

Thanks for your help/answers, and for welcoming me :-) . I just wish Thursday would come quicker!

Thanks again,

Lori (Mom_of_Crohnie)

Posted 5/23/2005 8:14 PM (GMT 0)
Do we have Lori talking to Lori above? LOL. OK Lori Mom, what a job you have with a child with Crohns! How old is your baby? I would like to send you a hug just for being such a good mom with a difficult situation.

As for your lump. There is no one specific statement that can be made about a lump as to whether or not it is a cyst, benign, or malignant. The only way to tell for sure is to have a biopsy. Everyone's experiences are different. Since you just found it, waiting for your own doctor is not going to make a great difference. Even if you have breast cancer a month or two in making decisions is not going to make it any worse. You need time to learn and make choices if you need to do that.

My favorite saying is "Don't worry until you know you have something to worry about". In other words, do what you need to do to find out what it is before you get your nerves all tied in knots. Even if it is a cancer, it could be treated and you could be fine. The key is to move forward to solve the problems if there are any. Most of us had no family history. We have many women in their early 30s and even late 20s come to the forum.

Know we are here to help you and give you support. Keep us updated.

Hugs Mary K. (MK)
Posted 5/23/2005 8:58 PM (GMT 0)

gma said...
Do we have Lori talking to Lori above? LOL. 

We even spell it the same!!!

Anyways, thanks Mary K for the supportive comments, and yes...dealing with a child with Crohn's can be a bit trying. He's 6 and was diagnosed in Dec at 5 years old. It's like anything else though - you do what you have to do and life goes on. I guess that will go for the lump as well.

I've received some great advice and support from the Crohn's forum, and it's nice to know I can find the same here!

Thanks again,

Lori

Posted 5/23/2005 9:43 PM (GMT 0)
I'll add another Lauri to the mix, although I do spell it differently than the two of you do. Lori (Tavish) and MK have given you great advice. You are taking the right steps in getting it checked. Don't rest until you have certainty to your questions. This is no time for "probably" or "most likely." And, like Lori said, anyone with breast concerns is welcome here. Seventy-five percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history and we are seeing more and more younger women with it. Sending prayers that you do not get to join this club. Good luck and keep us posted, Lauri
Posted 5/23/2005 9:43 PM (GMT 0)
I'll add another Lauri to the mix, although I do spell it differently than the two of you do. Lori (Tavish) and MK have given you great advice. You are taking the right steps in getting it checked. Don't rest until you have certainty to your questions. This is no time for "probably" or "most likely." And, like Lori said, anyone with breast concerns is welcome here. Seventy-five percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history and we are seeing more and more younger women with it. Sending prayers that you do not get to join this club. Good luck and keep us posted, Lauri
Posted 5/23/2005 9:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lori,
The truth about cancer is that nothing is "always true". You are right to have it checked further. I was diagnosed at 30 with no family history or other risk factors.
I wish you the best.
Julie
Posted 5/23/2005 11:13 PM (GMT 0)
OK Now it is time for Laure' to join in. LOL WE seem to have a run on similar names from time to time. Glad to have all of you Lori's, Lauri, Laure' with us. Hugs MK
Posted 5/23/2005 11:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lori (Mom_of_Crohnie),

Sounds like you're going through what I went through a few weeks ago. I found a lump and the doctor said that the fact that it was moveable was a good sign that it was probably benign (so I didn't worry much). Then the following week, the ultrasound showed that it was not a cyst so then I started to worry. Then I had a biopsy (week three) and it turned out to be benign. It was a little bit of an emotional roller coaster for a few weeks so I know what you're going through. I think what kept me sane for those few weeks was that I was very busy with work and that helped to distract me. I haven't actually been diagnosed with BC but I joined this forum when I was looking for some information and to just find others who could lend me some advice and everyone here has just been wonderfully supportive! Keep us posted, I wish you the best.

Lisa
Posted 5/24/2005 2:27 AM (GMT 0)
Lori
You definetly need to go thru all the steps to determine if you have bc. With my lump, when I had my first mamo after the doc examined the lump, the lady that did my mammo told me if my lump hurt, which it did, it probably wasn't cancer. Well, she was wrong. It was cancer. You can't really go by any set rule, anything is possible. I hope you the best, but like everyone says, just because you are diagnosed with bc isn't the end of the world. It is treatable. Hang in there.
Posted 5/24/2005 3:09 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all for your comments and support. I hope to not have to join this group, but it's nice to know you're all here if I need to.

Thanks again,

Lori

Posted 5/24/2005 5:58 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lori,

Laure' here :-} Nothing personal, but I hope you don't have to join the group either. While the ladies here are fun, BC is no fun at all! Keep good thoughts, and we'll all be with you in prayer and spirit! Let us know what happens!

Regards,
Laure'
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