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Posted 2/21/2006 11:55 PM (GMT 0)

Hi. I am new to this site but have turned to the one place where I know I can get answers - the Internet.

I have had some pain (sharp) in my right breast for a couple of months now. Didn't think much of it at first but on further examination I found a small lump. It is very hard to find but as there is pain associated with it I can feel it myself (easier to feel in the shower - almost impossible to find out of the shower). Also, it doesn't feel the same on my other breast. It is underneath the nipple and a little to the right and feels to be quite deep.

I went to the OB/GYN who looked at me as if to say "really, this is what you came in for?" Obviously I wanted a second opinion. I went to General Surgery (we have Kaiser) and saw a doc who didn't think it was suspicious but said I could have an ultrasound (personally I don't think he could feel what I can feel). He said that there is a ridge around the nipple and he thought that was what I was feeling. But, as I said, it doesn't feel the same on the other breast.

I had the ultrasound this morning and nothing showed up. My mind is still not at ease. Does anybody have a similar experience they could share with me?

Many thanks
Simone

Posted 2/22/2006 12:14 AM (GMT 0)
Simone,
You have come to a great group. Many of us have been in your position - where the doctor doesnt seem to think that there is a problem. Keep listening to your gut. If you dont think that you are receiving the attention you need, keep pushing for better treatment. I'm not sure about the numbers, but somewhere around 80% of lumps are benign, so I hope you will fall in that category, but push your doctor for more follow up. You need to make sure that YOU are taking care of yourself, and advocating for yourself. I hope that you do not need to join our group, and feel free to ask any questions that you have!

Chantry
Posted 2/22/2006 12:20 AM (GMT 0)

Chantry:

Thanks so much for the response.  It's my gut feeling that has got me as far as the ultrasound.  Haven't heard back from my doctor but the radiologist said she couldn't see anything but that I had dense tissue.  The reason i worry so is that my grandmother had breast cancer and a breast removed at age 40.  I am 33.

The frustrating part is that I really don't think my doctor could feel anything.

Will push, I think for a mammogram.

Thanks again

Simone

Post Edited (kiwisimone) : 2/22/2006 1:05:12 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 2/22/2006 12:41 AM (GMT 0)
Simone,

Since your breasts ARE dense, a mammogram just might not have a true reading. (Been there, done that, at the age of 33)

If you truly feel a lump, please consider finding a surgeon that will remove it . That is the ONLY sure way to know.

My tumor did not show up on my mammogram , also my OB/GYN did not feel it either. I KNEW that there was something different there and was persistent in having it removed. I made an appointment with a surgeon and had it biopsied. That was a smart move on my part, I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1985 and also had a recurrence two years after that in the sternum area. I feel so blessed to still be here and able to tell my story to help others. The most important thing that I can tell you is.............listen to your gut instinct. It will never fail you.

Best of luck to you. Keep us informed, WE CARE!
Debbie
^j^ ^j^ ^j^
PS. I also want to reinforce what Chantry mentioned in the above post though, 80 per cent lumps ARE benign.
Posted 2/22/2006 2:14 AM (GMT 0)
What does this lump feel like to you? Hard like a pea? Or is it a soft mass? How big does it feel? My first lump was near the areola and was about the size of a nickel and soft. When I went to the dr he could feel it. That was almost 40 years ago before mammogram machines, etc. It was removed and it was benign. I had another benign lump 20 years after that which was caught on the mammogram. The third was cancer but was caught very early. Keep checking it and if it changes at all be sure to keep on trying to get a dr to help. If they couldn't see it and couldn't feel it, I don't know how they could biopsy it. How old are you? Sometimes drs think young women don't get breast cancer, which is not at all true. Try and find a breast specialist in your area. Where do you live, near what big city? Maybe someone here can help you find a specialist. Hugs Mary K.
Posted 2/22/2006 8:04 PM (GMT 0)
The lump feels kind of soft, sort of oblong, maybe about 1/4 to 1/2 inch long. Don't worry, I check it every day. I am waiting for my Dr to call me back with the ultrasound results (although the radiologist said she couldn't see anything). I have just received notice from my insurance company that we no longer need referrals to see a specialist so I think that will be my next step. I live in Denver, CO so should have a good selection.

Thanks to everyone for their concern. I will keep you all informed.

Simone
Posted 2/22/2006 8:28 PM (GMT 0)
Simone

So glad to hear that you are being proactive, there are many women on this site that have been told it was nothing and sent home. They followed their gut and got another opinion. Some were B9 some were not. My lump was very tender too, you might read that breast caqncer does not hurt but that is not true. I will pray that you get the answers that you need and your tests will be B9. Be sure to ask any questions that you have, this is a wonderful group of ladies.

Keep us informed, we care.

Bernadette
Posted 2/26/2006 2:05 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Simone,
I also am from CO. Was in your shoes almost 5 years ago. Dr and surgeon both told me they were 95% sure it was nothing. My tumor was hard, like a pea, didn't move and didn't hurt. Also didn't show up on the mammo or ultrasound. Keep pushing, the only way to find out for sure is biopsy, if it is benign, Great! Don't let them make you feel this is unimportant.
Hugs, Pam
Posted 2/26/2006 7:00 PM (GMT 0)
Pam I am sorry I didn't remember that you were from CO. You really gave Simone some food for thought. I think it would be a good idea to print out your post and take to the doctor. And copy any other post to show that doctor's guesses are not always correct. Hugs to you both, MK
Posted 2/27/2006 12:43 AM (GMT 0)
No problem MK, I have been AWOL for awhile. Hope all is well, it will take me a bit to catch up.
Hugs back to you, Pam

BTW Simone, here is my email, hope this won't be deleted because I can give you the name of my onc who is incredible. He spent 2 hours explaining details to my husband and I the first time we saw him. [email protected]
Posted 2/27/2006 6:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Colorado girls, I'm looking for a local support group for bc survivors does anyone have a good group that they attend?

Simone, I am glad that you're questioning what's going on...I agree with the others -- I have heard the downside of being put off- I have a friend who was sent home twice only to return to find that she had a 5 cm tumor. I think it's up to us to be our own advocates!

And when it turns out to be benign then you can feel good about taking care of yourself.

Isn't is strange that we're made to feel "crazy" when we push for ourselves and yet that's what the doctors are preaching -- Be Your Own Advocate --

Please let us know how you're doing...this is a scary thing to go through feel free to express yourself on this site, everyone here knows what it's like.

Hugs from Denver,
Donna
Posted 3/2/2006 9:22 PM (GMT 0)
Hi ladies.  I didn't realize there were posts to read as I have not been receiving my e-mail alerts.  What a nice surprise.  Thank you all for your thoughts and encouragement.

Here's my update:

Firstly, even though I no longer needed a referral to see a specialist, after requesting an appointment with oncology (again, I have Kaiser), they informed me (long story short) that they do not diagnose, they just treat.  They don't even do the biopsies, general surgery does.  So that's where I am on that.

My ultrasound results came back showing nothing but dense breasts.  I spoke with the general surgery nurse and told her my concerns and, after being bumped around from department to department, finally managed to make an appointment for a mammogram.  They were very quick and I had that done on Monday.  Results came in yesterday and, as I expected, nothing showed up.

I asked the nurse what my chances were of getting a breast MRI.  She said slim to none.  (That is the funny part - Kaiser's big thing is about prevention, their slogan "THRIVE" - Ha!)

The plan now:

Keep my follow-up appointment with my general surgeon which is in two weeks.  He will do an exam to see if anything has changed.  I will INSIST upon an MRI, taking all the ammunition I need.  I have printed out numerous posts from this forum and another which show that mammograms DO NOT pick up everything.

A lady my husband works with was diagnosed with breast cancer last year. She has had breast exams religiously and mammograms for the past 6-7 years. The last one showed up some calcium deposits. After a digital mammogram she was sent for an MRI (her insurance company didn't want to pay for it even though she had been diagnosed with cancer). She went for the MRI and not only did it show the calcium deposits but a big tumor which was cancerous and, the doctor told her, had probably been there for about 9 years. Can you believe that. 9 years. She never felt anything, her doctors never felt anything - nothing else showed it but the MRI.

She also just gave me an article which states:

"The odds that a mammogram will fail to detect a cancerous lesion is small but significant.  In general, the test is 83% sensitive, meaning that in a large population of women screened with mammography, it can miss 17% of cancers.  But in women with very dense breasts, mammography will miss cancer 58% of the time".

How scary is that?

Donna, you are right, it is strange that we are made to feel crazy.  Somedays I wonder if I am just being paranoid and maybe I should just let it be (since nothing is showing up anywhere).  But I feel that something is not right and it too big of a risk.  So what if it ends up to be nothing, at least I will know for sure.

Pam, I printed out your post and e-mail.  Will let you know if I need that oncologist (hopefully not!)

So, I will keep you all informed, my appointment will be in 2 weeks.

Thanks again and take care

Simone

Posted 3/9/2006 12:19 AM (GMT 0)
Simone,

My cancer also was missed because of very dense tissue. I know exactly how you are feeling. It is frustrating. I was just fortunate to have medical personnel who wouldn't stop looking for an answer. They didn't understand why we could feel it, but it didn't show up on mammo or us.

I have a good friend here who has Kaiser, she is very happy with the treatment she has received so far.

I hope all goes well at your appt, I will keep you in prayers.

Pam

Posted 3/9/2006 12:24 AM (GMT 0)

Donna,

about support groups I know there are several good ones in Denver. I personally don't belong to one, but might be interested. If you find one you like, let me know. I am a few miles north of you, but my drs are all in Denver.

:) Pam

Posted 3/12/2006 2:09 PM (GMT 0)
Hi KiwiSimone
I am a new member of this site-this is my first post. I found this forum whilst researching breast lumps.

I was putting fake tan on myself four days ago, when I found a lump in my right breast. I never do breast exams so I am glad I found it. I don't know how long it's been there though. I am 32 and very worried!

I am seeing a nurse tomorrow morning and if she thinks it's anything to worry about then she is going to make me see the doctor. My friend at college (she was in her early twenties) found a lump in her breast, went to her neighbour who was a doctor, he told her it was nothing to worry about, a year later (yes, a year later) she was diagnosed with breast cancer, at that point she was stage 2, she was gutted that she didn't detect it earlier. She is fine now though.

Anyway, the lump feels quite big, it's moveable (if that's a word!) it feels different to the other lumps that one feels at certain times of the month. It's a hard lump. I am so worried as I have no idea how long it's been there. I wish now that I had done self examination all along...

Are B9 lumps affected by times of month? What time of the month are your breasts at their most lumpy? during your period? Well my period is not due until the 20th, I guess I am trying to diagnose myself here... I guess I just have to be patient
Posted 8/10/2008 10:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hey.everyone i saw this website while i was searching for information about a lump i found on my right breast close to my nipple.Im 15 so im scared that it might be breast cancer.The lump is about the size of a nickle and located under my nipple,its very tender to the touch.any help?
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