Lump detected in breast six months after last mammogram. Biopsy indicates cancer. How can this be?
Saw doctor for check-up in June. Lab work didn't indicate anything was going on. No lumps detected during exam. How can a tumor grow so quickly? Was something missed in the mammogram? I had breast cancer in opposite breast seven years ago. Will meet with surgeon this week. I am having a hard time dealing with this.
Yolande, it's probably not a case of the tumor growing so quickly - but simply that it finally got to the tipping point, where you could detect it. Especailly if you have dense breasts and/or you're small-breasted, it's often very difficult to pick up small tumors in a mammogram. So, this is NOT a cancer recurrence. This is a new cancer, which is actually a positive. So understand that treatment has improved a heck of a lot in the past 7 years, and there's every chance that you're going to be just fine. Be sure to get a list of questions ready for the doctor; since you've had cancer before, at least you know where to start. Good luck with treatment - and stay connected here, OK? - PJH
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Yolande, take a moment to breathe. As you've said you've had cancer before, so you know that you have the strength to do this again. There's honestly no reason to say why it wasn't caught on your last mammo. Maybe it was too small to be seen, or maybe they mistakenly thought it was something else, but something tells me it's been there for more than just 6 months it just wasn't large enough to be seen. Whatever the case was, it doesn't matter much because now you know you have it and can go from there. Once you see your surgeon and have it removed, and get your nodes checked out you'll be able to get the big picture and know if it has affected your nodes or if it has spread. As a new cancer, and given only 6 months time I doubt much else has happened - as my recurrence took 3 years to grow before it was found and it did not spread elsewhere. Just remember that you have been down this road before, so you are capable of doing it again. Personally that is how I felt when I found I had a recurrence (though yours is a new cancer since it is on the opposite breast) - I mean you've had surgery to have it removed, and perhaps you;ve had some sort of treatment. While it was unpleasant you survived it and that is all that matters. So I have no doubt you will conquer this once again. Just stay strong and stay positive, and know we are always here to help.
Best of luck to you & please keep us posted!
Angi
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