Very OT questions re: Breast lumps/cysts and not so quietly freaking out.

K

Kelly

Registered Guest
Okay, today I found a rather large lump on my breast right as I was about to pop in the shower. Talk about a good day gone bad.

The lump is about thumbnail size and seems to be a soft liquid filled kind of lump, what I would think a cyst feels like. I have an appointment with the Nurse Practitioner (would prefer the doc ut he's all booked) for Wednesday down in Scottsdale which means we have to brave the helatious heat, but, meanwhile, back at the ranch I am FREAKING OUT. My biological mother died what apparently was a horrific death due to Stage II breast cancer last year so I am more than a little gun shy. She had a sister and another daughter that I could email, but am very hesitant as I know it will drag up some major pain and angst for them, and I just don't know them that well.

If anyone has any information on this, I would appreciate it.

Thanks, Kelly
 
Oddly enough I do.... My sister found lumps and was freaking out as well but although you should definately go see a doctor, the vast majority of lumps are benign cysts, often fatty deposits caused by things like caffiene etc. , so don't freak out but do go to the doctor and think happy thoughts until Wednesday. There is no point in worrying about anything that you can't do anything about for a couple of days. Its probably nothing.
 
What Jonathan said. I'll not bore everyone with my family history, but I freak everytime I get even a pimple in the area of my breasts. So I know what you are feeling. Soft is good, your age is good, your weight is good. Kelly, you need to have it looked at, but please keep positive thoughts and see that the odds of you having a cancerous lump are very small.

Take care!
Lizzie
 
keep in mind also, I have read that sometimes things can crop up at different times of the month and might quickly go away.

Glad you are seeing a doctor though, and it is only two days away
 
just seconding what everyone else said - my best friend had exactly the same sort of thing last year. they told her they were sure it was just a cyst but being a natural worrier also she felt it best that she went for a biopsy and it turned out to definitely be a little cyst (which deflated as they tried to take the biopsy!). the fact that it doesn't feel hard is a good thing, i'm sure you will be absolutely fine. well done for noticing and booking an appointment just to make sure!
 
I had a lump earlier this year and I have a family history of BC. I was really worried! My doctor told me to cut out caffeine (including chocolate) and come back in two weeks to check it again. Waiting two weeks to go back was terrible, but the lump was gone.

As everyone else has said, definitely go to your appointment ASAP and follow the doctor's advice.

Laura
 
Kelly
You have my sympathy I also freak at the thought of breast cancer. If the lump is mobile and soft it could be a harmless fibroadenoma. I had one years ago and it disappeared. Breast cancer is scary but I think there is too much doom and gloom about it from the media.Obviously you need to be a little extra careful with a family history but I reckon your lump will turn out to be nothing dangerous, crossing my fingers for you
Louise
 
Kelly, can't add a thing to everything that has been posted above, however I can totally identify with the Freaking out and worrying - I am the same.

Is it this Wednesday (tomorrow) that you go to the N.P.? We will all think
positive thoughts for you.

Sue
 
This is the one time I think fat is good! LOL. My mom had a fatty lump on her breast and had it removed. I know nothing we say wiil ease your worrying, but the chances that it is nothing are greater than that it is something. Sorry if I sound matter of fact, but I would just keep thinking, "It's fat, it's fat, it's fat" just to get me through the night! good luck at the docs tomorrow!
Sandra
 
I will be praying for you. I am sure what everyone says is correct.
 
Thanks everyone! Despite your wonderful advice not to worry, I worried. I owe my son an apology for being one cranky snappish mommy for the past three days.

It is just a cyst. Yeah! I hate the little bugger though, but I am stuck with him/it/her until it goes away. They don't want to aspirate unless it actually hurts or gets too big.

This scare has made me realize it may be time to do the genetic marker test as a safeguard.

Anyway, thank you and than you again for your wonderful words and thoughts. I really appreciate it.

Kelly, relieved if a little lopsided
 
If aspiration is a no-go, what about a stereotactic core removal? Much less invasive and leaves no scar (my breast oncologist can't even find the scar where he did mine). It's like a little roto-rooter and quite painless.

Bren
 
Kelly
excellent! I thought it sounded harmless, easy to say I know. I would get the genetic marker sorted out. You might find that you are not high risk and will be able to relax.
Louise
 
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