How did you find the breast cancer?

[JustAsIAm]

Hi I am 35 and have had 3 breast tumors removed in the last few years. I have cysts and fibrocyctic breasts. 3 weeks ago I found a breast lump just under the skin of my left breast and one in the armpit. That side just feels heavy. When I had lumps before they always had hurt and that is how I found them. These 2 however do not hurt. I have a mammogram and ultrasound on Wednesday but the waiting is the worst. Has anyone else had this happen to them after having benign tumors removed in the past. I have had no energy and just fatigue prior to finding the lumps. It's just extremely odd for me to have such a lack of energy as I'm always an active person. Worried about it being breast cancer.

[Tinydancer1]

I think every case is different. I agree that waiting is the worst. Since we're unable to change the waiting time, the only option I found that works for me to maintain my mental health is distraction with things I love to do. What activities do you love--reading a good novel, exercise, going out with friends, shopping? Do whatever makes you happy. Before you know it the day has arrived and you'll get your answers. Also, they say that we're supposed to do at least moderate exercise when we're fatigued, and that it helps to reduce the fatigue. I found my breast cancer with a swollen lymph node that I thought was as a result of eating bad oysters in New Orleans! It swelled two days after I had a mammogram and physical with negative results! It turned out that I indeed had an invasive ductal carcinoma in a difficult spot to "see" somewhere low below my nipple of my D+ breast. Due to a prior breast reduction (my breasts grew again 10 years after the reduction!), I had dense breasts, but was never advised of taking regular ultrasounds, which would have spotted the cancer before it infiltrated and traveled to the node. Incidentally, the node that was swollen actually killed off all the carcinoma cells within it while I was living it up in New Orleans--it did its job! But for you, if yours turn out to be benign again, ask about getting regular ultrasounds as well as mammograms. And please let us know your results and know that we're always here to see you through anything! Good luck!

[BklynCatwoman]

I think we've all discovered our breast cancer differently. Mine was found during a routine mammogram. Even after I knew there was a small lump and knew where it was, I still couldn't feel it. My breasts are cystic, so everything felt lumpy to me! I think some people's lumps hurt and some didn't. There's no way to tell if it's breast cancer or not by palpating it. My advice is to hope for the best but prepare yourself for other possibilities. Good luck with the test results.

[missa13]

Hi JustAsIAm , I don't think fatigue is necessarily a sign that it's breast cancer, though I get that it's easy to worry about that. Could there be anything else contributing to the low energy? stress, changes in your diet? Good that you took the step to see your doctor. keep us posted on how the appointments go XOXO

[JustAsIAm]

Ok so I had my diagnostic mammogram and diagnostic ultra sound today. I'm really upset with the radiologist and wanted to slap him. So he comes in to review my breast lump and wants a biopsy of it. Ok I'm good at this point but then I have to ask him about the one under my arm that I already know is suspicious because they were doing measurements of it and what not. He tells me it's suspicious but that he wants me to wait 6 weeks and have another ultra sound done on it. I tell him no you are already going to do a biopsy of my breast mass that I would like a biopsy of my suspicious lymph node at the same time. My thinking is why make me wait if your doing one anyways. He then says well I changed my mind it's not suspicious. Ok at that point I'm about to beat him. I talk with the nurse navigator and she speaks with him however he will not change his mind in regards to the biopsy of my lymph node unless my surgeon says otherwise. So tomorrow I have my appointment with my surgeon. I also told them that you can't tell me something is suspicious and then change your mind and think I will be ok with it. I will be looking for a second opinion and I'm most certain my surgeon will say the lymph node needs to be biopsied. I also told them I would like a different radiologist to do the biopsy as I do not agree with the one I saw today!! Frustrated to say the least!!

[missa13 in reply to JustAsIAm]

JustAsIAm that does sound so, so frustrating. Did he explain why he wanted you to wait? In any case if you're unhappy, you're 100% entitled to seek a second opinion. Have you checked in with your surgeon?

[JustAsIAm]

Just got done with surgeon and my lymph node will be biopsied also. And I'm getting my medical records from yesterday and it's a BI-RADS 4. My surgeon also found 3 abnormal lymph nodes not just one. That was just with her doing a physical exam.

[IGotSunshine]

Hi JustAskAnn, I'm impressed with your ability to advocate for yourself! No matter what the outcome of the biopsy, this will be an advantage for you! Best of luck.