OKay so I have a large, about the size of a plum lump in my right breast, I had a mammogram w ultrasound & the radiologist says he doesnt like the way a dark spotlook s& is reccommending it be removed then biopsied. My question is can anyone tell me what a malignant lump "feels" like? Im SO stressed over this & my appointment for my surgery consult isnt untill 8-8-06...the anticipation is killing me!!! I keep touching it & thinking terrible thoughts...can anyone please help me out??
2006-07-24 22:48:11 · 12 answers · asked by *♥* ♥* FaeGoddess*♥*♥* 6 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Cancer
ok just a little more info on me, Im a Ype 1 diabetic of 19 years on an insulin pump, suffer depression/anxiety & recently diagnosed w hypothyroidism....just the picture of health arent I??
2006-07-24 23:02:27 · update #1
Oh I feel for you. I had breast cancer last year after finding my own lump. It is a hard mass, not "filled" like a cyst would feel. It needs to be removed. My doctor did a fine needle biopsy before the surgery this way I could decide what I wanted to do. The biopsy came back cancer. I then had to decide whether I wanted a lumpectomy or a mastectomy. I opted for a lumpectomy. After the surgery the tumor was disected to determine the type of cancer I had. I was stage 2 and needed chemo and radiation. Waiting and deciding is the worst part. Once you know everything and made your decisions, the rest is not that bad. The chemo, the radiation, the doctor appts, just become part of your life. The mental stress of the waiting and decision making is the worst part. Please feel free to email me if I can help at all or if I can maybe help you with answering any questions you may have. I wish you alot of luck---take care. Joanne
2006-07-28 16:29:31 · answer #1 · answered by josievan 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Definately go have it biopsied asap. That way you can get some peace of mind either way. The same thing happened to my mom. It was that size also. The Dr.said it didn't "feel" like Ca and tried to take some fluid out to see if it was a cyst or maybe an infection. It didn't work so she went for a biopsy, it was Ca. She had it removed along with infected lymph nodes, and chose a radical mastectomy. That involved removing all of the breast and chest wall miuscles. This was a long time ago, I'm not sure they do that any more. Anyway she did chemo for 1 year and has been Ca free for 20 years! So there are a wealth of possibilities out there. You can't feel the difference. But even in the worst case scenario this is now a very treatable disease. Call your OBGYN, explain the situation and ask if he will do the Ca screening blood test on you. I think it's called CA125. If those levels come back very high you may very well have a Ca. Also call the Dr. who you have the consult with and tell them how anxious you are and suggest they move the appt. up or call you if someone cancells so you can take their spot.Good luck! I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers! I live with this fear also because of my mom.
2006-07-25 02:44:13 · answer #2 · answered by tbo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First I would like to say sorry to hear about the lump. When I feel a lump in a women's breast it usually feels very hard like jaw breaker hard. Unfortunately I cannot tell if it is positive for cancer just by the touch. I can tell you I feel a lot of lumps and they are not all cancer. At my facility they would have biopsied you that day if it looked that suspicious and you would have your results the next day.
August 8 is two weeks away this is what I would do. Get a copy of your mam report and if it says suspicious or highly suspicious of carcinoma (a # 4 or 5) get your doctor to move up the appointment.
If the report says anything else you can wait to see the surgeon.
I personally had a #5 highly suspicious and it was an infection, so you don't know until the biopsy.
Good luck I will say a prayer for you.
2006-07-26 02:22:58 · answer #3 · answered by Just ME 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No matter if it is malignant or not, you need to get this lump out of your breast. Any physician will tell you to have a lumpectomy and biopsy. Dont panic, it could be anything and you are so young, the likelihood of it being malignant is low. It could be a clogged mammary gland or just a clump of scar tissue or something related to your diabetes.
You cannot tell if a lump is malignant by feeling it. It is impossible.
You will do great. If they were overly concerned about your lump, they would have biopsied it sooner than August 8th. If you are that worried, call the surgeon and tell him you are having increadible anxiety and ask if you can be scheduled sooner. His office will do everything they can to accomodate you.
good luck. PS: Im a cancer nurse.
2006-07-25 16:53:32 · answer #4 · answered by happydawg 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think you should wait until August 8th, because you are going to drive yourself crazy. Usually malignant lumps are not painful.
I know this is not the same thing, but my dad is on an insulin pump, too, and he developed a lump in his "breast". Turns out insulin can cause lumps. He had it biopsied and it was nothing. It was pretty much the same size as yours.
But, for your peace of mind, do the biopsy ASAP. If it's benign, you can have the whole thing removed at your convenience.
2006-07-25 05:07:46 · answer #5 · answered by Becca 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't be worried. Your age is on your side. Although breast cancer at 19 can occur it is so rare one may see only one case in a lifetime. A malignant lump usually has no feeling in it. Tumours do not contain nerves as their consist of the one abnormal cell repeatedly reproducing itself.
2006-07-25 03:27:59 · answer #6 · answered by lark 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OK, we went through this with my sister. Most cases, there is nothing to worry about. I believe that if it looked real suspicious. they would have acted right away. You cannot heel the difference between malignant & begign...it is good that you found it and got an ultrasound. Good luck, and happy thoughts...you are in my prayers.
2006-07-24 22:54:04 · answer #7 · answered by heatherbee 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi..
I would advice you to go for the appointment. Don't take any hasty steps. Consult and take advice from other doctors as well. Think positively. Am sure everything gonna be alright. Trust God.
2006-07-24 22:55:19 · answer #8 · answered by mehnaazishaa 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
why don't you seek help from ayurvedic doctors for this, ayurveda works well in breast cancer, my mother-in-law had it and she is well now as she is presently on ayurvedic medicines for last 8 months, she wasn't keen on getting operated or getting chemotherapy done.. You can also give it a try if you want .
check---
www.planetayurveda.com
2006-07-25 00:31:12 · answer #9 · answered by aarzooji a 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
please don't panic, and focus very hard on visualizing yourself health. stress can bring on illness. i urge you to contact a support group , talk to someone , remain strong.you'll be fine. millions of women go through this you're not alone..............on the practical side please severely limit your sugar intake, cancerous cells feed on sugar. diet is very important. also if you have a herb store near you go see a CERTIFIED herbalist. they can give you help in planning an agressive approach to enhancing your bodies strenght and boosting your immune system. also there are many alternate therapies that can be used in conjunction with (not instead of) western medicine. reiki is wonderful and you should be able to find a free healing group in almost all mid to large cities...............i'll keep you in my prayers , may you br surrounded with God's healing light and be kept safe in his warm embrace....................timothy
2006-07-24 22:59:08 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋