Cancerous and noncancerous lumps in breasts?

Question

I have a rather large lump in my breast thats been there for about 5 months or better. I saw my doctor and she said it was just a cyst, and that it should go away on it's own. It's very painful and affects my sleep if I lay on my stomach or the even at times on my side. I have a another appiontment in september, I'm not sure if I should go see someone else. Is there a difference between cancerous and noncancerous lumps, and how can I tell?

Answer 1

Hi there ! Your lump does sound like a cyst and if it is that big and sore you should see another doctor, Did the doctor do an ultrasound or a mammogram if not he doesn;t know what it is a can only guess. I see the point in not jumping the gun about the lump and it is probably a cyst but the minute it starts affecting your sleep, and it is painful you should see another doctor. The lump is probably not cancer, but i really feel you should be seeing a gynecologist instead, they specialize in womens problems and general practitioners really don;t know what they are looking at without sending you for diagnostics. I have a lump in my armpit, microcalcifications in both my breasts, and have had numerous biopsies, your doctor will probably suggest a mammo and if it is too sore an ultrasound. They will know right away, and if they don;t they might have to take a needle and stick it in the lump and take stuff out of it and see. 99% iof the time these are c ytsas cancer isn;t painful. Don;t wait too long as this can become extrem,e;ly painful. No worries though, they can remove it and no more problems, but don;t wait as you are the one who is suffering. I can see the doctor saying wait as alot of cysts just shrimk and go away, but this isn;t the case and it has been long enough. Hope you get this taken care of and take care

Answer 2

With the "diagnosis" of a cyst.....was this AFTER a mammogram? That is truly the ONLY way to define the difference. If the doc just said "It's a cyst....don't worry about it", I'd be hopping mad and hop right down to get a mammogram. If the news happened to be bad....get an attorney. That would be blatant malpractice. Don't let them tell you that you are not old enough to have a mammogram or to worry about breast cancer....just scope out the link below.

Answer 3

I have two fibroadenoma one in my left breast, and one in the same place on my right. And they are 100% non cancerous. And they do kind of hurt when I am on my stomach in certain positions. But here's a few websites that will help alot:


http://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/benign-breast-lumps
http://women.webmd.com/tc/Breast-Lumps-Topic-Overview
http://women.webmd.com/tc/Fibrocystic-Breasts-Symptoms

But the only way to really tell is to get a sonogram. Talk to your gynocolgist to set up an appointment.

Answer 4

You can't tell, and yes, I'd see another doctor. Don't wait til september, go immediately.

TX Mom
Not a medical professional

Answer 5

yes please see another Dr. because you life depends on you for the most part . do not prolong seeing another Dr. out of fear that you will hear something you don't want to hear you may hear something that will save your life...

Answer 6

talk to your doctor

Answer 7

second opinion.