is that I am 43 and just got my first mammogram. No excuses other than my dad passing of non Hodgkins lymphoma several years ago have locked my psyche in a certainty that I too, will die of cancer. It makes no sense, and it is horrible and I feel like a horrible person right now.
Last Saturday, I felt a mild discomfort on my right breast. I can't feel any lumps or bumps. Breasts look same size, nipples look the same. I was called this evening though because there is a "spot" on my mammo. I have to return tomorrow for ultrasound and another mammogram. The worst part, they will send me away without knowing any answers until next week. I don't know why, that is just how this place operates in my lovely town.
I've read online that a metastatic tumor would cause pain. What am I in for?
Feeling sad and lonely, Christy
Eight Breast Cancer Symptoms: When To Worry 
Eat to Live: 10 Things to Know About Breast Cancer and Nutrition 
Ten Breast Cancer Myths Debunked 
When Breast Cancer Returns: 10 Things to Know About Metastatic Breast Cancer 
Christy, first off - you are NOT a bad person! Having your first mammogram at age 43 is definitely in the ballpark of responsible behavior around your health. Current recommendations by the US Preventive Services Task Force include women getting their first mammogram at age 50; so don't beat yourself up over this.
Second, I'm sorry about your dad. You should know that his dying of lymphoma doesn't increase your risk of breast cancer at all, so don't connect those two circumstances, OK?
Next, women having their first mammogram – a baseline, it's called – often get a callback for another view. That's because the radiologist reading the scan has nothing to base his/her readings on, and an unusual variation in your natural anatomy, scar tissue, even a fold of skin can appear as a "spot." The additional mammogram and ultrasound will help identify just what this spot is – and chances are good it's not cancer.
Pain or discomfort in your breast would be unlikely to signal cancer, metastatic or otherwise; what you heard about pain is just plain wrong. Breast cancer can be painful, but the majority of the time it's not. Cysts are often painful, and the ultrasound will reveal whether what you feel is a cyst.
I'm glad you're following through with additional testing; and trust me, it's not unusual at all to have to wait (and wait) for the results. Try to stay occupied, and see the glass as half full; because chances are, it is. Please let us know what you find out, OK? Take care - PJH
PJ,
I'm so grateful for your kind words. I never meant to put myself or family in harm's way.
I can't feel a lump in the right breast, nipples look the same, no discharge....you know what is really scaring me? I've read women's posts that say of course it hurts when the tumor gets big and hits surrounding nerves. But like a kitty kat chasing her tail, I don't see any external changes to my breast like I've read about.
Again, grateful for you and thank you, Christy
Thank you for adding i"m not a bad person. My daughter was crying this morning because she lost her sock monkey hat and I just wanted to break down and cry with her, for obviously different reasons
SO unlikely to be metastatic breast cancer if you can't even feel a lump; it's natural to be emotional about this, as it's very scary. But hang in there - one foot in front of the other, and you'll get through this. Hey, I'd cry if my son lost his sock monkey hat - those things are just too cute!
PJH