Saturday, March 14, 2009 nayia37 asks

Q: Scared of the outcome....PLEASE HELP ANYONE

Me again!!!!! Im sorry. But I suffer with such anxiety and I am literally shivering as I type on here because my appointment has come through for the breast clinic for this thursday the 19th and i really DONT want to go. I am just so confused. Few desperate questions:- 1. How long is an occult (hidden) breast cancer biopsy ('normal' result) valid for in terms of BC growing within a year - i.e. can you get it so quickly? 2. How long does the average BC take to grow (I know this varies but aroundabout please)? 3. I've heard of fibroademena's and cysts but aren't they supposed to be painful - mine don't hurt - does that mean I have BC? 4. Could my breast reduction be a cause of this as it was just over a year and my bust has really changed (I was a J now I am a DD) I am at my wits end. A part of me wishes I never had breast reduction as I never had all these lumps before when I was huge (not that I was ever aware of them). The lumps - one of them feels huge,when I turn on my side, like a small ball, squishy and gross. The other one by my nipple feels squishy then harder. I cant find the third my doctor says is there. Surely I cant possibly have got BC within the last year if I had that biopsy???? Same old questions, imagine what it must be like for me in my head (and others im sure) Really, really sorry guys xx

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Answers (2)

Phyllis Johnson, Health Guide

3/14/09 4:47pm

A particular lump biopsied last year is not likely to change its status. A new lump could be anything. Researchers believe that most breast cancer has been growing for eight to ten years before it can be detected. The cells are doubling, so think about the difference between doubling from one cell to two and doubling from 1,000,000 cells to 2,000,000 cells. There is a point at which a previously undetected tumor seems to suddenly show up out of nowhere. I doubt if your breast reduction has anything to do with these lumps. If anything, it may have enabled you to find them earlier.

Waiting for medical procedures is always difficult. I have found the best thing to do is stay busy, preferably with something fun around other people. It's normal to be scared of the outcome, but at this point worry isn't going to change the status of those lumps. You've done the right thing by seeing the doctor and scheduling the biopsy. Most lumps turn out to be benign. If one or more of these are cancer, then you will be amazed at the strength you find to cope with the situation. I really do understand that this advice is easier to give than to follow, and I haven't always been successful in following it myself. But do try to put aside worrying for now.