Experience with breast problems/cancer? « Back to Group Discussions

[lovebeingamomma]

I had a breast ultrasound and I have a hypoechoic mass in my left breast that was "indeterminate".  I'm being referred to a breast health center and they will recommend a mammogram.  I have no experience with any of this.  If anyone does please share.  I'm worried about the effects of a mammo on the baby...should I ask for a biopsy?  Frustrated because apparently there's a 2-3 week wait to even get an appointment at this health center.  Here I am pregnant and stressed out.  I'm 26 years old, believe me, I know my risk for cancer is almost nill...but what the heck is this mass doing in my breast!  It's been there for 9 months, it's only now that I pushed for an ultrasound because I weaned and noticed it again, when I told my former midwives about it 9 months they just told me "lactating breasts are lumpy".  

[kellybeth]

hey sugar. i just want to tell you to not worry too much. i know that it's easier for someone to tell you that. but, just in february, when i was 26 (i am now 27) i found a lump in my breast during a self-exam, and was completely too freaked out to touch it again. i went to planned parenthood, since i didn't have insurance, for a professional breast-exam and she did find a lump, or mass in my left breast.

now, my chances and family history of cancer are very, very high, so there was no messing around. i had to schedule the mammogram, which of course was about 3 weeks out at a specialist center. the ultrasound on my breast showed the mass, which they performed first, and then i had the mammogram. it turned out to be a nodular mass, nothing to be concerned about, and these masses can happen periodically, that's why it's important to do elf-exams.

i was completely freaked out, lost weight and sleep, not to mention some years of my life and shed a lot of tears. my family history is not good. my mom even flew across the country to be with me while i waited for my appointment.

your midwives are right- it is probably just a nodular mass, which can appear and disappear.

i send my love and good vibes your way, but don't worry too much!

[lovebeingamomma]

Thank you.  I'm trying not to worry - but it's so hard not too!  I'm concerned about the accuracy of further testing, with a mammo I'm not sure it would really show everything, because my breasts have started to fill up now (they hadn't yet when I got the ultrasound).  So I'm thinking of just asking if I can go straight for a biopsy.  Still waiting to hear from them though...hate the wait!

[lovebeingamomma]

Also frustrating that I asked the US tech if I had anything to worry about and she said "oh, I doubt it!", so I figured it was a cyst or something.  Then I get a late night call from my midwife who sounded concerned, and that I needed further testing...thanks US tech!  Here I was feeling completely fine..

[MeepyCat]

Please forgive the dropb-in - I can't imagine the stress of going throught this while pregnant.

I was recently diagnosed with breast cancer after a mammogram, an ultrasound, and a couple of biopsies. My concern is that the mammogram may be able to see *less* then the u/s. For younger women, ultrasound is more accurate because the mammo doesn't visualize as clearly through younger women's denser breast tissue.

If it were me, i'd push for the biopsy. And I wouldn't let them do it without lidocaine on the surface.

All that said, did you get a look at the ultrasound? A dark area with smooth or lobed edges is probably a cyst. I'd still want to check, but i'd be less worried.

Best of luck with everything. I hope this turns out to be nothing, and you have a wonderful pregnancy.

[lovebeingamomma]

I got the actual report and I feel much better, these findings do not worry me, even though they want further evaluation: 

Findings: There is an ovoid approximately 1.7 CC X 0.7AP X 2.7 TRV cm, fairly well circumscribed mildly hyperechoic mass at the site of concern at 5 o'clock in the left breast.  No shadowing is seen.

 

Impression: Ovoid mass at the site of concern in the left breast is indeterminate. Baseline mammogram is recommended for further evaluation. Once completed, the decision whether to biopsy the lesion or under go short term imaging follow up can be made.