Saturday, May 05, 2012 claire asks

Q: i have i line that you can see when i raise my arms round my right brest which has lumps on

i have this line come up in my right brest which goes down the brest and then round in to the nipple this line feels like it has all little lumps all over it i went to the doctors about this and while i was there he found a small lump on the top right had side of the same brest and he never said any thing about the line of lumps just about the single one im so so worried im 38 have 4 children and am a single mum i cant sleep with the worrie

- A
- A
- A

Answers (3)

PJ Hamel, Health Guide

5/ 5/12 11:08pm

Claire, this long, "ropy" line of lumps is typical of fibrocystic change, a benign (not cancerous) condition. You don't say what the next step is for the single lump your doctor felt, though; are you getting a mammogram, or an ultrasound, or...? If your doctor didn't suggest any diagnostic screening, then you'd best keep your eye on this single lump; if it remains palpable (you can feel it) longer than a month, and doesn't disappear/reappear, then it's something you should have diagnosed. Contact your doctor, tell him you're worried, and set up some diagnostic screening. In the meantime, please don't worry too much; at your age, cancer would be very unusual; and even if you get to the point of having a biopsy, about 85% of breast biopsies are negative – no cancer. So while you should be concerned enough to follow through and find out what this is, there's really no need to panic, OK? I know, easier said than done; but keep in mind, the odds that this isn't cancer are strongly in your favor. Good luck - PJH

claire

5/ 6/12 5:46am

the doctor has said i need a urgent memogram which has really worried me, i not long ago got the all clear from cevical screening after haveing cells lazered which after two years are now clear now 3 weeks later i worried sick about this,the doctor said they will call me to come in if they have not called with in two weeks to call docter but he said he put it through as urgent, i no i should be positive but im finding it well hard two,this single lump is not round like a pea, thankyou so much for replying to me it has put my mind at ease a bit round the line of them but i feel my doctor seemed worried

PJ Hamel, Health Guide

5/ 6/12 6:30am

A responsible doctor will make sure all the necessary tests are done, Claire. Aside from being concerned about your health, he's no doubt also aware of any potential malpractice lawsuits; unfortunately, in this society where so many people sue for so many reasons, that fact often drives doctors' actions... It's OK to be scared. Just realize it doesn't help you at all; all it does is make you feel bad. Our post on fear may help you de-stress a bit... Take care- PJH

Phyllis Johnson, Health Guide

5/ 6/12 8:26am

The mammogram should be able to see all the areas you are concerned about. An ultrasound will be able to distinguish between a solid lump and a cyst. When you go in for the mammogram, be sure to point out all the places that concern you. Pay attention to whether they change over the course of your menstrual cycle. If they change in size and shape, they are more likely to be cysts, which are annoying, but harmless.

It is normal to be concerned about medical tests and breast lumps, but try to stay busy and keep your mind on other things. Most of the time breast lumps check out to be non-cancerous.

Q: i have i line that you can see when i raise my arms round my right brest which has lumps on

Related Questions

Ask a Question