i found a lump in my breast about 6 months ago?

Question

i went to the doctor and she just said oh i expect its because you are due on. the lump is only a hard pea sized lump but i have now found another one in the same breast bigger and have a lump at the very top of my neck to the same side (not my glands) this is just under the hairline at the middle to right side of my neck and have the lumps in my right breast, could they be connected? after going to the doctor and being told the above i am too embarrassed to go back, is it worth going back or am i being silly not going or would i be just waisting the docs time by going for these lumps?

Answer 1

No...go to the doctor! That is nothing to mess around with. My Mother had breast cancer and survived, but it was getting the lump checked out that saved her life. Please go.

Answer 2

Doctors say this because it is quite normal for some women who are about to menstruate and/or just finished having their monthly period to have tenderness and / or swelling on their breast.

But if this lump (no matter how small it is) is still there after a week in between periods and yet another one surfaced, then don't even think that you are being silly or that you're wasting the doctors time by going back with the same problem.

This is not something that you should take lightly. Examine yourself tonight and take note of all unusual lumps and bumps and arrange an appointment to see your GP tomorrow.

You shouldn't feel embarassed about seeing your usual GP about this. It's your GP that should be embarassed with the way s/he brushed off your observations and concerns about your physical health.

If your surgery has got more than one doctor, which normally is the case, why not try to see and arrange an appointment with someone else whom you'll be more confident and comfortable to discuss these things with.

It's best that you have this investigated now. Every day that passes counts.

Don't delay this and look after youself. Good luck.

Answer 3

Definetely go back to the doctors, try and see a different doctor if you can. My doctor first found a lump in my breast when I was 17. He referred me on to have a Mammogram, I then had to have an Ultra Sound and then a Needle Biopsy- and it was nothing dangerous, just a Fibroadenoma, but at least I now know what it is and I regularly check it to make sure that it has not grown anymore. Some women like myself are more susceptible to lumpy breasts, I have a lot of non cancerous, small cysts through both breasts. You could be the same, but it is important to be 100% sure that it is nothing worse.

Answer 4

I don't think your doctors response was ideal. I've been around as a doc for three decades and I don't believe I am unduly over-cautious. When a woman comes in with a breast lump I explain to them, BEFORE I examine them, that I automatically refer ALL breast lumps to a breast clinic, even if I can't feel them! I say this before examination to reassure that I am not necessarily worried about the lump, I simply refer automatically. I have exactly the same policy for all men who come in complaining of testicular lumps, I advise them before I examine that I am going to scan them.

So far I have never received a letter critical of these referrals from either the breast surgeons or the radiologists. They seem quite happy to check these patients.

Generally after the physical examination of these patients I am 95% certain as to whether the lesions are malignant or benign, however this is 2007 not 1957 and 95% is not acceptable.

Go back to your GP and if he is sensible he will refer you to a breast clinic.

Answer 5

I had a problem like this - and went to the dr thinking it would be cancerous - my dr said that i should cut out all fat from my diet - which i did it made a small difference but then after a few other problems i was told to cut out all dairy and most carbs from my diet and hence went on a low carb diet - since then ive not had any problems -

sometimes these can simply be fatty lumps - as the breast tissue changes with age - other times it can be diet related - stress related or something more serious to do with glands and cysts to cancer - go to the dr and also see about changing your diet for a while - let us knw how you got on good luck

Answer 6

no you are not being silly and should not think that for a second all lumps should be investigated if you dont want to go back to the same doctor why not take a trip to the hospital and share your concerns with them hope everything goes ok good luck x

Answer 7

I work in a Doctors surgery, and im suprised that they didnt do a proper examination on you.
Why not book in with a different doctor at your surgery - this is allowed!
If not, you can go to a local health clinic instead - but i advise you to go back to your Doctors really.
Do not worry yourself too much about it, but you are doing the right thing by checking your breasts often.
Hope you get it sorted, do not be embarrassed going back - you are not in the wrong by going twice! xxx

Answer 8

Get back to your doctor NOW. Insist on having this investigated, as should have been done 6 months ago.

It's your doctor who ought to be embarrassed, embarrassed at not paying attention to and respecting a patient.

Answer 9

Get a biopsy ASAP. If it is cancer, you will be able to start treatment. If it isn't cancer you will get peace of mind. Either way you win. The sad truth of the matter is that doctors can be wrong (if I had followed my doctor's advice and waited for my biopsy, I'd be dead), and the best person to look after your health is you!

Answer 10

go back to the doctors, get the doctor to examine you, your doctor should have examined you and referred you to hospital for a mammogram, you can't be too careful with lumps in the breasts, if it turns out to be nothing...then fine, but your doctor saying that is wrong!