Good afternoon, I'm 27 years old. My mother died of breast cancer at 46 and my maternal grandmother survived ovarian cancer in her 50's. I've been dealing with 2 breast issues at once. My first lump was diagnosed as a cyst by ultrasound. My second lump is more irregular in shape. It's mostly smooth and oblong but has some texture on one end. The lump moves between my fingers. It's tender but painful during my cycle. My PCP thought it was benign but ordered an ultrasound. My ultrasound didn't find this lump even though it's palpable. So I went to a breast surgeon who also thought it was benign but warned me that she has felt a lump before like mine that was cancer. I left her office very worried. Why wouldn't an ultrasound detect a palpable lump that's right near the surface? How scared should I be about the breast surgeon's comments? She was reassuring and kinda scary at the same time. I obtained a copy of her report and it stated, "I reassured the patient that I am not overwhelmingly concerned about malignancy but that it's always a possibility given her family history. If it is a malignancy then we will go from there." That sounds scary. What does she mean by "overwhelmingly" concerned?? Does that still mean "very" concerned....? or "concerned". To me, there's a big difference between saying "that feels benign" and "I'm not overwhelmingly concerned". I also won't have insurance until September. She knew about this so she postponed the recommended biopsy until then. Should that concern me? Obviously if this could be cancer, I would want the biopsy done ASAP. But she kept saying it was non-urgent. I feel so conflicted about what's really going on. Any advice? Thank you!!!!
Hi Anna - Your family history increases your risk of breast cancer, it's true; but it's still low, especially at your age. Sounds like your surgeon is concerned enough to order a biopsy - not because she thinks it's cancer, but because any breast lump that lasts longer than a month should be diagnosed.
That said - a lump that's irregular in shape, moves under your fingers, and is painful is almost certainly a fibroadenoma - a benign overgrowth of breast tissue. Cancerous lumps are much more likely to be smooth, regular, fixed in place, and not painful; and they don't change with your cycle. Fibrocystic change, very prevalent in women your age, often presents with your symptoms. Ultrasound is useful for identifying cysts, but not so useful for solid masses; so apparently this isn't a cyst, but there's no telling for sure what it is, without further testing - which you'll have, come September.
I think your surgeon is concerned enough to order the biopsy, but not worried enough to put a rush on it. She's playing it safe, which is good. The vast majority of breast cancers are VERY slow growing; evenj if this is cancer, a few days or weeks waiting for a biopsy won't make a difference in your prognosis. Also, about 85% of breast biopsies are negative; not cancer.
So, all in all, my advice would be try to relax – difficult, I know! Try to stay busy with friends, work, etc. September 1 is day after tomorrow; so it won't be long until you have your answer as to what this lump really is. Remember, statistically speaking AND going by your description of what you feel, chances are VERY slim that this is cancer - so hold onto that thought, OK? Best of luck - PJH
Anna, you're certainly not overstaying your welcome - this is what we're here for! Just to clarify, though - we're not doctors, just well-read breast cancer survivors.
Unfortunately, I'm not sure what else I can tell you, beyond what I already said. Fibrocystic change is an overgrowth of breast tissue that is NOT cancer; just like a wart or a callous could be considered an overgrowth of tissue. And, cancerous tumors aren't usually long and "ropy" like you're describing. They don't hurt in synch with your period. And they don't wiggle a lot. So, everything points to this being fibrocystic change - and hopefully your biopsy will put an end to your worries.
Until then - perhaps this post on fear will help you de-stress a bit. Remember, the odds that this isn't cancer are HUGELY in your favor. Hold onto that fact. And even if it is cancer, by some unfortunate, unlikely chance - you'll deal with it. The vast majority of women survive breast cancer and live long lives.
When's your biopsy? Understand that you won't get the results for up to a week afterwards, so be prepared for some more stress; and try to set up some coping mechanisms, OK? Take care- PJH
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Thank you so much. I don't want to outstay my welcome, but I've read about fibrocystic changes and can't get a grasp on what it is. My lump, again, is probably an inch long maybe and very slender, smooth for the most part but then one end is more square shaped and textured. The lump moves but not freely. It just wiggles a lot but could very well be rooted somewhere as well. I don't really know. It feels like it's attached to something when you feel deep into where the lump is. Can fibrocystic change present like that? It's very palpable, especially with my arm down, and sorta blends in a little more with my arm up. My family history is what really scares me. I also hadn't gone to a doctor since 2004 until this year. I'm just worried about how far advancced this would be if it is cancer. The surgeon report said there were no lumps in my armpit but I don't know if that really means anything since cancer spreads in other ways.
I'm sorry, I'm just very scared and very unprepared for cancer if that's what this is! THANK YOU SO MUCH!