Help me calm down about a possible breast lump.
August 8, 2010 8:44 AM Subscribe
I might have a lump in my breast. I am freaking out. Help.
I did the self-exam last night and above-and-towards-the-armpit of my right nipple there might be a lump. I am not sure what a lump should feel like and whether this is indeed a lump or just part of a duct or something. I checked the other breast, and the same sort of structure was there, but without a lump. So maybe this is what a lump is.
Obviously I am going to see a doctor. I am a student, and the doctor will be through student health, but I can't make an appointment today because they are closed on Sunday. So I will make it tomorrow. But in the meantime, I am freaking out. Talk me down.
My mother has had non-cancerous lumps removed. My maternal grandmother died of breast cancer. I do not have fibrous breasts and they are fairly small (b cup). I am 28. I am freaking out. Please tell me ways to think about this that will calm me down at least until I actually see a doctor.
I did the self-exam last night and above-and-towards-the-armpit of my right nipple there might be a lump. I am not sure what a lump should feel like and whether this is indeed a lump or just part of a duct or something. I checked the other breast, and the same sort of structure was there, but without a lump. So maybe this is what a lump is.
Obviously I am going to see a doctor. I am a student, and the doctor will be through student health, but I can't make an appointment today because they are closed on Sunday. So I will make it tomorrow. But in the meantime, I am freaking out. Talk me down.
My mother has had non-cancerous lumps removed. My maternal grandmother died of breast cancer. I do not have fibrous breasts and they are fairly small (b cup). I am 28. I am freaking out. Please tell me ways to think about this that will calm me down at least until I actually see a doctor.
The overwhelming majority of breast lumps turn out to be no big deal. That's especially true when you're 28, which is super-young to get breast cancer. I know this is scary, but I would be totally flabbergasted if this turned out to be cancer. You're doing everything right, but I am certain that you're ultimately going to be diagnosed with "non-serious lumpy thing" or whatever the medical term for that is.
This happened to my close friend about six months after her mom died of breast cancer. She definitely had a lump, and her doctor sent her off for a biopsy just to be on the safe side, but it came back as a non-serious lumpy thing. The upside is that you're getting to know your breasts now, when you're really too young to get cancer, so that when you're older, you'll know what's normal for you and be able to recognize non-normal lumps.
posted by craichead at 9:01 AM on August 8, 2010
This happened to my close friend about six months after her mom died of breast cancer. She definitely had a lump, and her doctor sent her off for a biopsy just to be on the safe side, but it came back as a non-serious lumpy thing. The upside is that you're getting to know your breasts now, when you're really too young to get cancer, so that when you're older, you'll know what's normal for you and be able to recognize non-normal lumps.
posted by craichead at 9:01 AM on August 8, 2010
Is your period coming up soon? That can increase how nodular parts of the breast feel. I've known someone who had an experience, too, of having a lymph node lump that was the result of an injury (cut or burn, I don't remember) further down their arm. I've also read that the majority of lumps are non-cancerous. Simply put, you just won't know anymore than you do now for a bit.
I'd say that the best thing would be to get off the computer, or at least don't search for things related to the issue. Find something to do that's time-occupying and involves close friends. Personally, I'd let someone close to me (in real life) know, just so I wouldn't have to keep the anxiety inside.
Good luck with your visit -- I hope everything turns out fine.
posted by bizzyb at 9:02 AM on August 8, 2010
I'd say that the best thing would be to get off the computer, or at least don't search for things related to the issue. Find something to do that's time-occupying and involves close friends. Personally, I'd let someone close to me (in real life) know, just so I wouldn't have to keep the anxiety inside.
Good luck with your visit -- I hope everything turns out fine.
posted by bizzyb at 9:02 AM on August 8, 2010
You are doing the right thing. You are seeing a doctor about this. If it turns out to be nothing, excellent. If it turns out to be something you have to take action for, also excellent, because you're taking action. Whatever is in your breast is not going to ruin your life in one day without a doctor's investigation, and you've done everything you can possibly do to address this problem at the moment. Your work is momentarily over.
If there are any chores or pieces of busywork that you planned on doing tomorrow, do them today instead. Make tomorrow easier on yourself by getting little things out of the way today.
posted by Mizu at 9:04 AM on August 8, 2010 [3 favorites]
If there are any chores or pieces of busywork that you planned on doing tomorrow, do them today instead. Make tomorrow easier on yourself by getting little things out of the way today.
posted by Mizu at 9:04 AM on August 8, 2010 [3 favorites]
The National Cancer Institute has figures on this, but they don't even start the statistics at your age. Odds of being diagnosed with breast cancer, from age 30 to 39: "0.43 percent (often expressed as "1 in 233")".
I have family history of breast cancer, and so had a baseline mammogram at age 30. It came back as worrisome (screwed up film is what it was in the end), and I remember the panic very well. I'm not sure there was anything anyone could say that made me feel better, but what helped slightly was knowing I'd done everything I could do (making a follow-up appointment), talking with family members, and frankly having a few drinks.
Hang in there -- less than 24 hours until you see a doctor!
posted by Houstonian at 9:08 AM on August 8, 2010
I have family history of breast cancer, and so had a baseline mammogram at age 30. It came back as worrisome (screwed up film is what it was in the end), and I remember the panic very well. I'm not sure there was anything anyone could say that made me feel better, but what helped slightly was knowing I'd done everything I could do (making a follow-up appointment), talking with family members, and frankly having a few drinks.
Hang in there -- less than 24 hours until you see a doctor!
posted by Houstonian at 9:08 AM on August 8, 2010
Take a deep breath.
Some very high percentage (80% or more?) of breast lumps are non-cancerous. Many women will discover a non-cancerous lump at some time in their lives, either a fibroid lump or a mastic cyst.
Anecdata -- I found a very similarly-placed lump a few months ago, about a week before an already-scheduled doctor's appointment (so I had to wait a WEEK to have it looked at). Because of its placement, my family history (my mother has had two benign lumps removed and has fibrocystic breasts), and the fact that its size and tenderness fluctuates with my cycle, she was confident that it is a non-cancerous lump. We're monitoring it and if it gets bigger or has any other changes, we'll examine it further.
I know you just found it, so you're going to be totally stressed right now. But it'll be OK. Get into the doctor as soon as you can and keep an eye on it during that time. And remember that most lumps are non-cancerous.
posted by devinemissk at 9:12 AM on August 8, 2010
Some very high percentage (80% or more?) of breast lumps are non-cancerous. Many women will discover a non-cancerous lump at some time in their lives, either a fibroid lump or a mastic cyst.
Anecdata -- I found a very similarly-placed lump a few months ago, about a week before an already-scheduled doctor's appointment (so I had to wait a WEEK to have it looked at). Because of its placement, my family history (my mother has had two benign lumps removed and has fibrocystic breasts), and the fact that its size and tenderness fluctuates with my cycle, she was confident that it is a non-cancerous lump. We're monitoring it and if it gets bigger or has any other changes, we'll examine it further.
I know you just found it, so you're going to be totally stressed right now. But it'll be OK. Get into the doctor as soon as you can and keep an eye on it during that time. And remember that most lumps are non-cancerous.
posted by devinemissk at 9:12 AM on August 8, 2010
A day isn't going to matter. You can't do anything until you have enough information to make informed decisions. Even after they determine that it is indeed a lump they want to biopsy those results aren't instantaneous. So even in a worst case you have cancer scenario you won't see any progress in the next week or so.
My point, no reason to get worked up unless you think maintaining this state for weeks is possible and desirable.
I had a lump in my neck. I went in and they decided to see if it would respond to antibiotics (if it was an infected gland). It didn't, so it I had ultrasound, then was sent to see a specialist, who had it biopsied, then an MRI, all before seeing a surgeon, etc. In between each there was either scheduling time or waiting for test results. It was at least six weeks before I had it in the review mirror.
It's probably nothing, but you need to have it checked out (which you are). I'd say worry about the next step in the process, since that's all you can control. It's impossible to skip the hypotheticals, but dwelling on them will just cause problems you don't currently have.
posted by cjorgensen at 9:14 AM on August 8, 2010
My point, no reason to get worked up unless you think maintaining this state for weeks is possible and desirable.
I had a lump in my neck. I went in and they decided to see if it would respond to antibiotics (if it was an infected gland). It didn't, so it I had ultrasound, then was sent to see a specialist, who had it biopsied, then an MRI, all before seeing a surgeon, etc. In between each there was either scheduling time or waiting for test results. It was at least six weeks before I had it in the review mirror.
It's probably nothing, but you need to have it checked out (which you are). I'd say worry about the next step in the process, since that's all you can control. It's impossible to skip the hypotheticals, but dwelling on them will just cause problems you don't currently have.
posted by cjorgensen at 9:14 AM on August 8, 2010
This happened to my wife; she first noticed the lump on a Friday night, and we had an anxious weekend until she could get to the doctor on Monday. It turned out to be a swollen lymph node, utterly unproblematic. This page from the BBC website has some sensible and reassuring advice:
Women are advised to be on the look out for lumps in their breasts. However, among younger women at least, lumps are far more likely to be benign - in women under 40, more than nine out of ten breast lumps are benign. But these lumps still cause a lot of anxiety until they are sorted out.
'A lot of anxiety' -- too right; that was one of the most stressful weekends of my life (obviously you run through all the worst-case scenarios in your imagination, at least you do if you're me). But you're doing the right thing in getting it checked out, and the strong probability is that it's nothing serious.
posted by verstegan at 9:15 AM on August 8, 2010
Women are advised to be on the look out for lumps in their breasts. However, among younger women at least, lumps are far more likely to be benign - in women under 40, more than nine out of ten breast lumps are benign. But these lumps still cause a lot of anxiety until they are sorted out.
'A lot of anxiety' -- too right; that was one of the most stressful weekends of my life (obviously you run through all the worst-case scenarios in your imagination, at least you do if you're me). But you're doing the right thing in getting it checked out, and the strong probability is that it's nothing serious.
posted by verstegan at 9:15 AM on August 8, 2010
fear is the mind killer ...
plus what everybody else has said.
posted by philip-random at 9:16 AM on August 8, 2010
plus what everybody else has said.
posted by philip-random at 9:16 AM on August 8, 2010
Like the others said, most lumps in your breast, especially at your age, are related to your period, swollen glands, etc. Plus, once you *think* something is wrong, whatever you are feeling can grow to mammoth porportions in your mind. It is probably nothing so don't start freaking unless and until you have a reason to. Also, I believe that continuing to poke/prod your glands can actually make them inflamed so it could actually feel larger just because you keep messing with it.
posted by MsKim at 9:17 AM on August 8, 2010
posted by MsKim at 9:17 AM on August 8, 2010
My mom had a non cancerous lump removed 20 years ago (she's your size too). She makes sure she gets checked regularly, and hasn't had a lump or a problem since. Seriously...no other boob issues. At all.
I've also had several friends that get lumpy because of too much caffeine. Heck, I have a lump right where my boob meets up with my armpit (I'm a D cup) that gets big when I drink too much caffeine. Had it checked by a doc...nothing serious, just something that becomes prominent with too much caffeine. I keep an eye on it but so far it hasn't changed.
Boobs also get lumpy with hormone changes, and stress can throw your hormones off and mess with your monthly cycle.
So, relax. You are doing the right thing by checking yourself. There's nothing you can do until you see a doctor, so stay off the web because there's lots of scary stuff out there. Take a walk or do whatever you do to relax yourself, go answer some other questions on Ask Metafilter, or help someone else with a problem/project, maybe focus on chores or other work like Mizu said, and follow up with a doc. You are showing how much you love yourself by paying attention to your health, and that puts you WAAAAY ahead of the game.
posted by MultiFaceted at 9:18 AM on August 8, 2010
I've also had several friends that get lumpy because of too much caffeine. Heck, I have a lump right where my boob meets up with my armpit (I'm a D cup) that gets big when I drink too much caffeine. Had it checked by a doc...nothing serious, just something that becomes prominent with too much caffeine. I keep an eye on it but so far it hasn't changed.
Boobs also get lumpy with hormone changes, and stress can throw your hormones off and mess with your monthly cycle.
So, relax. You are doing the right thing by checking yourself. There's nothing you can do until you see a doctor, so stay off the web because there's lots of scary stuff out there. Take a walk or do whatever you do to relax yourself, go answer some other questions on Ask Metafilter, or help someone else with a problem/project, maybe focus on chores or other work like Mizu said, and follow up with a doc. You are showing how much you love yourself by paying attention to your health, and that puts you WAAAAY ahead of the game.
posted by MultiFaceted at 9:18 AM on August 8, 2010
Here is my story:
Two days before my 22nd birthday I found a marble sized lump in my breast. It was hard and smooth and moved around a little if I pushed it. I flipped the fuck out!
I went to the clinic at the hospital the next day. The nurse found the lump, and noted that it was hard, smooth, and moved around a little. She referred me to the breast cancer/breast health center at the hospital for a follow up ultrasound in a couple of days.
I had the ultrasound, and unfortunately it was inconclusive (I don't remember the details, but apparently an ultrasound in this situation can confirm that you have just a cyst, but if it's not a cyst, then you don't really learn anything). The doctor then decided that I should have a needle biopsy and scheduled me for surgery at 7 AM the next day.
I went in the next morning wearing no deodorant (as instructed), armed with a sports bra to wear after the biopsy (as an underwire bra was well positioned to irritate). The region was numbed first with some topical anesthetic, then I had a few shots of more anesthetic. I kept my head turned away and talked to one of the RNs. The needle biopsy took a few "bites" out of the lump in my breast, and then a tiny surgical steel clip was implanted, so that if I ever had an ultrasound again the technician would know that the lump had already been investigated. I didn't really feel any of this.
For about a week afterward I kept an ice pack in my bra on and off throughout the day. I was pretty sore and a little nervous. I lift weights and I wasn't allowed to do that for weeks (or even pick up a gallon of milk), which drove me crazy.
A few days later the doctor called to tell me that I had a benign hamartoma. I could take it out or I could leave it. I left it (my insurance wouldn't have covered the removal anyway).
Try to relax.
posted by telegraph at 9:29 AM on August 8, 2010
Two days before my 22nd birthday I found a marble sized lump in my breast. It was hard and smooth and moved around a little if I pushed it. I flipped the fuck out!
I went to the clinic at the hospital the next day. The nurse found the lump, and noted that it was hard, smooth, and moved around a little. She referred me to the breast cancer/breast health center at the hospital for a follow up ultrasound in a couple of days.
I had the ultrasound, and unfortunately it was inconclusive (I don't remember the details, but apparently an ultrasound in this situation can confirm that you have just a cyst, but if it's not a cyst, then you don't really learn anything). The doctor then decided that I should have a needle biopsy and scheduled me for surgery at 7 AM the next day.
I went in the next morning wearing no deodorant (as instructed), armed with a sports bra to wear after the biopsy (as an underwire bra was well positioned to irritate). The region was numbed first with some topical anesthetic, then I had a few shots of more anesthetic. I kept my head turned away and talked to one of the RNs. The needle biopsy took a few "bites" out of the lump in my breast, and then a tiny surgical steel clip was implanted, so that if I ever had an ultrasound again the technician would know that the lump had already been investigated. I didn't really feel any of this.
For about a week afterward I kept an ice pack in my bra on and off throughout the day. I was pretty sore and a little nervous. I lift weights and I wasn't allowed to do that for weeks (or even pick up a gallon of milk), which drove me crazy.
A few days later the doctor called to tell me that I had a benign hamartoma. I could take it out or I could leave it. I left it (my insurance wouldn't have covered the removal anyway).
Try to relax.
posted by telegraph at 9:29 AM on August 8, 2010
I found a lump when I was 21, about a month after my mom had breast cancer surgery. So yeah, I was pretty freaked out too. The doctors that felt it all said it felt benign. Your doctors will most likely check it out and recommend a biopsy whether they think it's cancerous or not. You will also probably get an ultrasound since mammograms aren't as helpful for younger women, because the breast tissue is denser than it is in older women.
If your biopsy comes back negative for cancer, whether or not you get it removed is pretty much optional. If it's what I had (fibroadenoma), it's something that'll just stay there forever and will probably never turn into anything else. I got my first lump taken out because it was in an annoying place, and then I developed two more within a couple years. I got those biopsied but opted not to get them removed since surgery causes scar tissue, and I can deal with having these lumps as long as they're not cancer.
Anyway, your age is working in your favor in terms of whether or not this is cancer. Breast lumps in 20-something women aren't rare. While it's not unheard of for young women to get breast cancer, it's more likely not to be.
posted by wondermouse at 9:36 AM on August 8, 2010
If your biopsy comes back negative for cancer, whether or not you get it removed is pretty much optional. If it's what I had (fibroadenoma), it's something that'll just stay there forever and will probably never turn into anything else. I got my first lump taken out because it was in an annoying place, and then I developed two more within a couple years. I got those biopsied but opted not to get them removed since surgery causes scar tissue, and I can deal with having these lumps as long as they're not cancer.
Anyway, your age is working in your favor in terms of whether or not this is cancer. Breast lumps in 20-something women aren't rare. While it's not unheard of for young women to get breast cancer, it's more likely not to be.
posted by wondermouse at 9:36 AM on August 8, 2010
I went though this last year at age 36. I have had cancer, but not breast cancer, and there is no history of that in my family. Found an almond size lump on the top/side of my breast. Doc sent me for a mammogram, which showed nothing. Then I had a sonogram, which showed nothing. Then a breast specialist recommended a needle biopsy, but mine was much less involved than what telegraph describes. Basically, a doctor (who had actually diagnosed my first cancer), came in with a needle. I don't even know if he used a topical or not. It was a little prick, and not much else as far as pain (mammogram was more uncomfortable than the biopsy). Fifteen minutes later, I had an all clear. It was just a lump of normal breast tissue. Relief ensued.
posted by kimdog at 9:39 AM on August 8, 2010
posted by kimdog at 9:39 AM on August 8, 2010
Another anecdote:
About a year ago (age 25), a bit before my period, I noted how unusually--for me--tender my right boob had been lately. In the shower, I examined it, and found a very distinct, slightly painful lump. Cue lots of terrified crying, asking my husband to double-check, etc. It was small, but distinct--you could actually see it, and, like telegraph's lump, it moved around a bit.
The next day I went to my doctor at the student health clinic at the school where I was a grad student. The doctor couldn't find it! It seemed to be gone! WEIRD. She said to come back if it reappeared.
Which it did, the next day. Cue more freaking out. I went back to the doctor, who said that, given the fact that I was menstruating, it was probably nothing. But just to be safe, she got me an appointment for a mammogram later that week.
The lump disappeared and reappeared several times in the interim. The mammogram was nerve-wracking, but otherwise fine. It didn't show anything. They did an ultrasound. The technician found what he described as "two teeny tiny benign cysts."
They disappeared at the end of my period. They haven't shown their dirty faces since.
I don't have fibrous breasts otherwise, and though my mother and my sister are both prone to getting cysts, I never had before. But I suspect that it had something to do with changing, then stopping, my birth control around the same time. Hormones are funny.
Anyway, I know this is a scary thing for you. I know you're going to assume the worst no matter what happens. But one day? Won't make a difference. Know that many--most?--women have been there before, and that we're here if you need anything. Feel free to MeMail me if you need someone to freak out to.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 9:39 AM on August 8, 2010
About a year ago (age 25), a bit before my period, I noted how unusually--for me--tender my right boob had been lately. In the shower, I examined it, and found a very distinct, slightly painful lump. Cue lots of terrified crying, asking my husband to double-check, etc. It was small, but distinct--you could actually see it, and, like telegraph's lump, it moved around a bit.
The next day I went to my doctor at the student health clinic at the school where I was a grad student. The doctor couldn't find it! It seemed to be gone! WEIRD. She said to come back if it reappeared.
Which it did, the next day. Cue more freaking out. I went back to the doctor, who said that, given the fact that I was menstruating, it was probably nothing. But just to be safe, she got me an appointment for a mammogram later that week.
The lump disappeared and reappeared several times in the interim. The mammogram was nerve-wracking, but otherwise fine. It didn't show anything. They did an ultrasound. The technician found what he described as "two teeny tiny benign cysts."
They disappeared at the end of my period. They haven't shown their dirty faces since.
I don't have fibrous breasts otherwise, and though my mother and my sister are both prone to getting cysts, I never had before. But I suspect that it had something to do with changing, then stopping, my birth control around the same time. Hormones are funny.
Anyway, I know this is a scary thing for you. I know you're going to assume the worst no matter what happens. But one day? Won't make a difference. Know that many--most?--women have been there before, and that we're here if you need anything. Feel free to MeMail me if you need someone to freak out to.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 9:39 AM on August 8, 2010
anon, most often the lump is a cyst. I was just like you when I discovered the first one I had--I was very certain that it was breast cancer, scared to death! Breast cancer awareness campaigns seldom educate about the more benign things that lumps usually are. We are taught to freak out to get us to do something about it immediately (which, of course, is good) but cysts are most usual and extremely common.
I used to have to have cysts "aspirated" in an easy in-office procedure. Sometimes I could watch the procedure as it was done on the ultrasound. A cyst looks like a "black tumor" on the screen to the uninitiated....but it is good if it is black on the screen, that means it is fluid filled. The doctor can send a needle to the cyst and "draw out" fluid--voila, cyst and worries gone.
posted by naplesyellow at 9:44 AM on August 8, 2010
I used to have to have cysts "aspirated" in an easy in-office procedure. Sometimes I could watch the procedure as it was done on the ultrasound. A cyst looks like a "black tumor" on the screen to the uninitiated....but it is good if it is black on the screen, that means it is fluid filled. The doctor can send a needle to the cyst and "draw out" fluid--voila, cyst and worries gone.
posted by naplesyellow at 9:44 AM on August 8, 2010
A doctor found a lump in my breast three years ago, when I was 26. I was petrified for days until I could get an ultrasound. My great-grandmother died of breast cancer.
It turned out to be nothing, a cyst or a swollen gland or something like that, I don't even remember now. I wish I could have that time back when I was worried without knowing anything.
My advice is to try to tell yourself to quit freaking out now, before you truly have anything to freak out about. Nothing you can do right now will change the outcome of what the doctor finds, so try not to let yourself dwell on it when it's of no practical use. If it does turn out to be the worst, you'll have plenty of time to freak out then -- try to convince yourself to wait until you know that's the case before you waste time doing it now.
I know, it's all harder than it sounds. But really, I wish I could have taken my own advice back then. It was the worst week of my life, and for nothing.
posted by peanut_mcgillicuty at 9:46 AM on August 8, 2010
It turned out to be nothing, a cyst or a swollen gland or something like that, I don't even remember now. I wish I could have that time back when I was worried without knowing anything.
My advice is to try to tell yourself to quit freaking out now, before you truly have anything to freak out about. Nothing you can do right now will change the outcome of what the doctor finds, so try not to let yourself dwell on it when it's of no practical use. If it does turn out to be the worst, you'll have plenty of time to freak out then -- try to convince yourself to wait until you know that's the case before you waste time doing it now.
I know, it's all harder than it sounds. But really, I wish I could have taken my own advice back then. It was the worst week of my life, and for nothing.
posted by peanut_mcgillicuty at 9:46 AM on August 8, 2010
Think of it this way--lumps are relatively common and rarely cancerous, but it is important to get them checked out.
posted by Ironmouth at 9:56 AM on August 8, 2010
posted by Ironmouth at 9:56 AM on August 8, 2010
I found a lump in my left breast when I was 18. A huge lump, well over 5 cm in length. It was up high towards the middle of my chest, very visible and obvious.
I panicked and proceeded to ignore it for 6 months. This is what you shouldn't do, and it's exactly what you're not doing. Awesome. Going to the doctor would have saved me 6 months of anxiety and terror.
When I did manage to tell my mom and go see an OBGYN, a couple of manual examinations and an ultrasound seemed to suggest that it was a benign mass, pretty common in girls my age. I could choose to monitor it every 6 months or have it removed. I had it removed and tissue analysis confirmed that it was a fibroadenoma . I now have a scar around my nipple and no lump, no recurrence, no nothing.
Had I gone to the doctor immediately, it would have a been a routine checkup and I would have been immediately reassured. You're doing exactly the right thing and, odds are, you will hear very very comforting words from your doctor on Monday, potentially followed by some minor procedures just to be sure.
Tonight you should sit down, relax, possibly hang out with people who know you and will keep you entertained. Go to the doctor first thing in the morning and you'll be feeling a hell of a lot better emotionally by lunchtime.
posted by lydhre at 9:59 AM on August 8, 2010
I panicked and proceeded to ignore it for 6 months. This is what you shouldn't do, and it's exactly what you're not doing. Awesome. Going to the doctor would have saved me 6 months of anxiety and terror.
When I did manage to tell my mom and go see an OBGYN, a couple of manual examinations and an ultrasound seemed to suggest that it was a benign mass, pretty common in girls my age. I could choose to monitor it every 6 months or have it removed. I had it removed and tissue analysis confirmed that it was a fibroadenoma . I now have a scar around my nipple and no lump, no recurrence, no nothing.
Had I gone to the doctor immediately, it would have a been a routine checkup and I would have been immediately reassured. You're doing exactly the right thing and, odds are, you will hear very very comforting words from your doctor on Monday, potentially followed by some minor procedures just to be sure.
Tonight you should sit down, relax, possibly hang out with people who know you and will keep you entertained. Go to the doctor first thing in the morning and you'll be feeling a hell of a lot better emotionally by lunchtime.
posted by lydhre at 9:59 AM on August 8, 2010
I agree with everyone else that it's very unlikely that you actually have cancer, given your age, but it's important to remember that there are a lot of shades of gray between no-big-deal and omg-catastrophe. I'm not a women, but from what I've read breast cancer is very treatable when caught early.
posted by mpls2 at 10:12 AM on August 8, 2010
posted by mpls2 at 10:12 AM on August 8, 2010
In about two hours, you had 20+ MetaFilter friends jump to your side with good advice and good thoughts. Deep breath, see the doc, and know that you have more friends than you think you do.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 10:43 AM on August 8, 2010
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 10:43 AM on August 8, 2010
Just jumping in here to join in on the group saying not to freak out, it could be nothing. Lots of people (men included) have lumps in the breast tissue; the majority of the time, it's probably nothing scary--cysts, overgrown breast tissue, non-cancerous and totally benign tumours, blocked milk ducts or follicles, etc.
I understand how hard it is to do this, but just try to relax. Maybe draw yourself a nice bath, light some candles, put on some soft music, read a book; go for a walk; watch TV or play a videogame to try and distract yourself; call a friend; do whatever makes you feel good.
Chances are, you will be totally fine and in that teeny, tiny, miniscule chance that it's something more serious, you have youth and health on your side. Definitely try and go to the Doc first thing as lydhre says, so you can quickly get it off your mind.
posted by 1000monkeys at 11:08 AM on August 8, 2010
I understand how hard it is to do this, but just try to relax. Maybe draw yourself a nice bath, light some candles, put on some soft music, read a book; go for a walk; watch TV or play a videogame to try and distract yourself; call a friend; do whatever makes you feel good.
Chances are, you will be totally fine and in that teeny, tiny, miniscule chance that it's something more serious, you have youth and health on your side. Definitely try and go to the Doc first thing as lydhre says, so you can quickly get it off your mind.
posted by 1000monkeys at 11:08 AM on August 8, 2010
I can add to those anecdotes; I was 25; my doctor actually found the lump; got an inconclusie ultrasound; was told I could have a needle biopsy or get it out; rather than a needle biopsy, I had it removed. I got was put under, got two stitches, and learned that it was just a lump, totally benign. I went back to work in a day. I think the surgery was almost two weeks after it was found? maybe a week? I was slightly freaked out during that time, but the fact that the doctor was willing to wait that long calmed me down. I leaned on my family and my friends, obviously, to distract and comfort me. Hang in there, the panic is normal; I hope the doctor helps you feel better soon.
posted by dpx.mfx at 11:10 AM on August 8, 2010
posted by dpx.mfx at 11:10 AM on August 8, 2010
I am a breast cancer survivor with nothing to add for your peace of mind that hasn't been said, above. For the future, however, and for other women, a simple trick. Put your self-exam on a calendar or alert for a Monday or Tuesday a week after your period. No exams Thursday through Sunday. Good luck, OP.
posted by thinkpiece at 12:01 PM on August 8, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by thinkpiece at 12:01 PM on August 8, 2010 [1 favorite]
Another anecdote:
My great-grandmother died of breast cancer when she was 39.
I was 24; my boyfriend found the lump. I had an inconclusive ultrasound and was referred to a cancer specialist, who did an in-office ultrasound and told me that he could see a number of small cyst-like lumps and that he didn't think this one was worth a biopsy. He said to come back in six months; I chose instead to follow up with my GYN. She seems to think it's an inflamed duct. I'm 31 now; it's still there but it hasn't changed.
I was in a crazed state for weeks, because the whole process seemed to drag on and on. I remember being on the subway and thinking, "All of you people probably think I look healthy but I'm actually dying." It actually made me realize that people are going through things all the time that I know nothing about (something I knew but never really kept in mind until this happened).
You're doing something about it, and that's the best possible thing. You're going to be okay. If it's something bad, you've already started the process of resolving it. If it's not (and it's most likely not), you should feel good knowing that you're doing all the right things. If you have a chance to go out with friends tonight, I recommend it.
posted by bethist at 12:11 PM on August 8, 2010
My great-grandmother died of breast cancer when she was 39.
I was 24; my boyfriend found the lump. I had an inconclusive ultrasound and was referred to a cancer specialist, who did an in-office ultrasound and told me that he could see a number of small cyst-like lumps and that he didn't think this one was worth a biopsy. He said to come back in six months; I chose instead to follow up with my GYN. She seems to think it's an inflamed duct. I'm 31 now; it's still there but it hasn't changed.
I was in a crazed state for weeks, because the whole process seemed to drag on and on. I remember being on the subway and thinking, "All of you people probably think I look healthy but I'm actually dying." It actually made me realize that people are going through things all the time that I know nothing about (something I knew but never really kept in mind until this happened).
You're doing something about it, and that's the best possible thing. You're going to be okay. If it's something bad, you've already started the process of resolving it. If it's not (and it's most likely not), you should feel good knowing that you're doing all the right things. If you have a chance to go out with friends tonight, I recommend it.
posted by bethist at 12:11 PM on August 8, 2010
good things : you do self-exam! You are not afraid of touching your body! you have access to health care!
All of us are thinking good thoughts for you. Please come back and tell us what happens.
posted by micawber at 12:19 PM on August 8, 2010
All of us are thinking good thoughts for you. Please come back and tell us what happens.
posted by micawber at 12:19 PM on August 8, 2010
Another anecdote in the talking you down mode....
I had a lump discovered on routine mammogram a few years ago. I was called back for additional films and an ultrasound, which verified the lump. The radiologist assured me on the spot that it looked benign, and said we could
-watch and wait and rescan in 6 months to be sure or
-do a biopsy to be sure.
He recommended biopsy to avoid worry, and I agreed to it.
And it was indeed a completely benign fibroadenoma, and has never caused me a moment's worry since.
My biggest problem with the whole thing was that I was fairly freaked out. And because my health plan has a program in place to get rid of worry quickly, the radiologist wanted to do the biopsy right then and there, and I felt rushed into it. However, it was quick and painless, and I had a reassuring answer 3 days later.
Sending more good thoughts your way for a quick happy answer to your worry.
posted by SLC Mom at 1:55 PM on August 8, 2010
I had a lump discovered on routine mammogram a few years ago. I was called back for additional films and an ultrasound, which verified the lump. The radiologist assured me on the spot that it looked benign, and said we could
-watch and wait and rescan in 6 months to be sure or
-do a biopsy to be sure.
He recommended biopsy to avoid worry, and I agreed to it.
And it was indeed a completely benign fibroadenoma, and has never caused me a moment's worry since.
My biggest problem with the whole thing was that I was fairly freaked out. And because my health plan has a program in place to get rid of worry quickly, the radiologist wanted to do the biopsy right then and there, and I felt rushed into it. However, it was quick and painless, and I had a reassuring answer 3 days later.
Sending more good thoughts your way for a quick happy answer to your worry.
posted by SLC Mom at 1:55 PM on August 8, 2010
I, and my mom, are breast lump boob terror veterans. It's probably nothing, in the same way that just because you get a headache doesn't mean you have a brain tumor.
I know that's easier said than done and I've gone through sleeplessness and nausea inducing terror over this sort of thing, but I'm getting better at it.
I don't know what could be done about how inherently scary the process of finding it, getting it checked out, getting it checked out again, doing 'watch and wait', etc is. I wish something could be done about it, because as you can see from the thread, it's pretty routine, and barfing horror shouldn't also be "routine".
Odds are extremely good that it is entirely okay. My latest method, when this comes up (and it will again) is reminding myself it's probably nothing, if it is something there are pretty non-invasive non-harrowing ways of addressing it when caught early, and then I take a Xanax before I go in, because I recognize my fear is out of line with the probability of actual danger, and I've recognized that fear doesn't actually build character.
Hope this thread helps and hope your fears are put to rest soon.
posted by A Terrible Llama at 1:56 PM on August 8, 2010
I know that's easier said than done and I've gone through sleeplessness and nausea inducing terror over this sort of thing, but I'm getting better at it.
I don't know what could be done about how inherently scary the process of finding it, getting it checked out, getting it checked out again, doing 'watch and wait', etc is. I wish something could be done about it, because as you can see from the thread, it's pretty routine, and barfing horror shouldn't also be "routine".
Odds are extremely good that it is entirely okay. My latest method, when this comes up (and it will again) is reminding myself it's probably nothing, if it is something there are pretty non-invasive non-harrowing ways of addressing it when caught early, and then I take a Xanax before I go in, because I recognize my fear is out of line with the probability of actual danger, and I've recognized that fear doesn't actually build character.
Hope this thread helps and hope your fears are put to rest soon.
posted by A Terrible Llama at 1:56 PM on August 8, 2010
I have always been told what I'm feeling around for would be "like a frozen pea." I felt my mom's cancerous lump - right after her biopsy so there was some swelling in addition to the lump - and it was really hard to the touch and unmistakable. I was relieved to learn that, at least with hers, there was no question of "is it or is it not a lump?"
A doctor's appointment is the right thing to do, and if the college health center doesn't seem adequately concerned, serious, and equipped to handle this, find a way to see another doctor. (I got some bad advice about birth control from my college health service and have lost a little faith in them - they're good for mono and other common problems but probably don't deal with cancer questions very often.)
I'll be thinking about you.
posted by TrixieRamble at 3:27 PM on August 8, 2010
A doctor's appointment is the right thing to do, and if the college health center doesn't seem adequately concerned, serious, and equipped to handle this, find a way to see another doctor. (I got some bad advice about birth control from my college health service and have lost a little faith in them - they're good for mono and other common problems but probably don't deal with cancer questions very often.)
I'll be thinking about you.
posted by TrixieRamble at 3:27 PM on August 8, 2010
I just went through this. It turned out to be a benign cyst that requires no treatment whatsoever. (Oh, and not just one! Apparently, it's cyst city in there. I now wonder just how tiny my breasts would be without the cysts.)
Most lumps are nothing. But, even if it is something, your doctor will point you in the right direction.
Best of luck to you.
posted by onepot at 4:58 PM on August 8, 2010
Most lumps are nothing. But, even if it is something, your doctor will point you in the right direction.
Best of luck to you.
posted by onepot at 4:58 PM on August 8, 2010
I've had so many cysts in my breasts that my doctors actually told me to change the way I thought about BSE's -- "I know that usually we say to come talk to us as soon as you find a lump in your breast. But in YOUR case, EC, since you get so many cysts, we're going to change that to 'come talk to us if you find a lump and it doesn't go away a month later.' Because a cyst WILL do that."
And every single one of the lumps I've found has been a cyst that has gone away on its own, within a month. And some of them have been FREAKY big.
I found my first one when I was about your age, and I had a grandmother who died of breast cancer. So yeah, it's really, really easy to get freaked out. But -- you have a really, really, really, really good chance that it's a cyst.
Still go to the doctor, though, for your own peace of mind; also talk to your doctor about "what should I be feeling for" and they can help you sort that out.
Good luck.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:13 AM on August 9, 2010
And every single one of the lumps I've found has been a cyst that has gone away on its own, within a month. And some of them have been FREAKY big.
I found my first one when I was about your age, and I had a grandmother who died of breast cancer. So yeah, it's really, really easy to get freaked out. But -- you have a really, really, really, really good chance that it's a cyst.
Still go to the doctor, though, for your own peace of mind; also talk to your doctor about "what should I be feeling for" and they can help you sort that out.
Good luck.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:13 AM on August 9, 2010
I had my first lump investigated at your age, and have had several more ultrasounded/biopsied in the 8 or 9 years since then. None of them were cancerous. I am a 37 year old female whose mother had breast cancer at age 68.
Obviously I am not suggesting you not go to an appointment in the very near future, just letting you know that there are SO many of us who have lumps that appear that stay around for years. I also notice lumps that I can correlate with my menstrual cycle.
Good luck and stop googling it!
posted by 8dot3 at 9:30 AM on August 9, 2010
Obviously I am not suggesting you not go to an appointment in the very near future, just letting you know that there are SO many of us who have lumps that appear that stay around for years. I also notice lumps that I can correlate with my menstrual cycle.
Good luck and stop googling it!
posted by 8dot3 at 9:30 AM on August 9, 2010
Okay guys, this was me, and here is an update. I went to the appointment and the doctor said that it was just a bit of denser tissue and probably nothing to worry about, but just in case, to wait two weeks (to see if it has to do with hormonal cycling) and if it's still there, she'd like to schedule an ultrasound. She was very helpful and comforting and said there is very, very, very, very little chance it is anything bad, based on how it feels.
Thank you everyone, so much. Reading this thread was very helpful and it calmed me down.
posted by millipede at 11:54 AM on August 9, 2010 [3 favorites]
Thank you everyone, so much. Reading this thread was very helpful and it calmed me down.
posted by millipede at 11:54 AM on August 9, 2010 [3 favorites]
YAY, so glad to hear that it's probably nothing and that you have some peace of mind now!
posted by 1000monkeys at 8:57 PM on August 9, 2010
posted by 1000monkeys at 8:57 PM on August 9, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by shinynewnick at 8:55 AM on August 8, 2010 [1 favorite]