Worried daughter!?

Question

My mom found a large size (oval,movable) painful lump on her right side of breast (near armpit). Ive known that cancer lumps are painless, but her age indicates that she is at a higher risk (55years)..she refuses to see a doctor beacuse she is afraid is cancer! has anyone had a similar experience and turned out it wasn't cancer?

My mom means the world to me! and love her with all my heart....I really do hope and pray is nothing serious !!!

Answer 1

It could be a cyst - i.e. a harmless growth. But she won't know until she has it checked out, and until it is checked it out will continue to cause the both of you needless worry.

Answer 2

Here is what we teach people in class - if the mass in question occurs on both sides (i.e. has a "mirror image on the opposite breast) it is probably harmless and most likely a normal variation of breast tissue for that individual.

I can think of at least a half -dozen things it "could be" that aren't cancer. That it is causing her pain however, is the primary reason why someone should have a more diagnostic look into the matter. No one should live in pain because of fear for one thing, and no one should experience that level of nagging anxiety because that kind of fear either.

Pain doesn't mean its cancer - and a lump doesn't mean its cancer - Though the two often correlate, don't let her practice medicine on herself without a license, alright?

So please persuade her to speak with her doctor - tell her there are a number of reasons why she could he having this issue, , accessory gland problems, milk duct problems, fibrocytisms, etc....and yes, cancer is one of them...but if she wont go, ask her this - ask her "well, since you wont go to the doctor because you fear it maybe cancer, does it mean that you willingly accept dying from cancer without a fight?" It was something that prompted a friend of mine to finally seek treatment for a lump in his neck.

Good Luck, and my empathy - I have a much older parent that needs to have his arm twisted to seek medical attention as well.

Answer 3

Becuase of her age, she should have it checked out, but there is a small possibility, being that it is painful, and depending on how much caffeine she consumes, and how large the lump actually is, it could be a type of fibrosis, or it could be a type of infection in the layers of the breast tissue. Regardless, she should have it checked out immediately, because if it is cancer and she catches it in time, she might only need a lumpectomy (removal of the lump) to rid herself of the disease, or even a mastectomy (removal of the affected breast). I have a close friend who had breast cancer twice by the time she was in her 70s, and both times, she was able to be rid of the cancer, first with a lumpectomy, and the second with a mastectomy. Early detection is recommended to prevent, treat, or remove cancer.

Answer 4

My mother recently had a lumpectomy with surrounding tissue removed for a breast lump and it was not cancer. She had a biopsy done once before and that biopsy too showed no cancer. Tell your mother that she needs to get this checked out because it could be nothing or but if it is something the sooner she gets treatment the better off she will be.

Answer 5

It sounds like a cyst, an infection of a gland near the surface. No big deal, but she should see a doctor because he may want her to take a course of antibiotics depending on how big it is and exactly where it is. I can understand her fear but an out-of-control infection can cost her a breast too, and that's just stupid in an age when antibiotics are so commonly available. Smack her upside the head and tell her to go to the doctor before it gets really serious.

Answer 6

Lots of women have harmless cysts in their breasts. Drinking coffee and soda makes them more likely. Also, as you age you can have area's of calcification. She just needs to go. Do you have other family members that can help to encourage her also? The sooner she finds out, the better the odds are if it is something bad, which I am sure you know. Now days, even if it is cancer, it isn't the end of the world. My father is a year into Chemo and had radiation also and has not been ill at all. He has just been a bit tired at times. Things are really changing as far as treatment goes. Please offer to go to the Doc with her. I have had a cancer diagnosis and it frightens you to death. Good luck!

Answer 7

Firstly, she must go get it checked.
Secondly, at that age (even earlier) things start growing all over the place and it doesn't mean cancer.
I have had several girlfriends that get some type of bump and it turns out to be nothing.
If it is movable, there is a good chance that it is self-contained. That means if it has to come out, they can just remove that oval.
So convince her that it is probably nothing to ease her fears some. Then drag her butt into the Dr's office.

Answer 8

not all cancer lumps are pain less my mom has breast cancer started the same way if she wonts to live she needs to see a dr.my mom has had cancer since june went through chemo and is doing great getting ready for surgery now said she should be out of the hospital the same day

Answer 9

Yes, I found a large lump and had it checked out. It was just a cyst that was drained with a needle. Tell your mom to go in and have it checked. They will give her a mammogram and maybe do an ultrasound and she will find out within a short time what it is. I know she is worried and not knowing is worse than finding out whatever it is.

Answer 10

Get her to the dr. Guilt her into it if you have to. There is no way to tell what the lump is through yahoo answers.
I can understand somewhat how she feels. I just had a mammogram 2 days ago, after procrastinating too long for comfort. I am awaiting the results.
I wish you both luck.

Answer 11

It may only be a cyst but she can't afford to take the chance. A cyst would likey need attention too. No going to the Doctor because you think it is cancer is not going to make it go away. It will only make it harder to treat, if it is cancer. Good luck to you and your Mom.