Opinion Needed, please....

prd8282

My mom recently had a MRI done and it showed that she has 2 lumps on her breasts, one the size of a golf ball and one the size of a half dollar.  She said the doctor told her they are 2 solid masses with cottage cheese texture and that it didnt look good.  My mom has MRSA and she wont get the biopsy done because first, she doesn't want to know if it is cancer or not, second because she could get the chance of the MRSA coming back.  My question is do you think that these are cancerous and should I contact my doctors office to see about starting the testing?  I asked becuase I dont know if I will ever get the answer from her, but on my dad's side of the family BC is heriditary.  My aunt just had a double mastectomy a few years ago.  She thinks that it is and that the doctors have told her.  But my mom is just not telling me and my sister.  She has always been that way to hide stuff from us.  Knowning my Aunt, Grandmother and Great Great Aunt had Breast Cancer.  I just want to know for myself, so I can start taking care of it on my end.  You know, to see if I am a carrier of the gene.  Thank you in advance for your help.

Texgirl

How sad that she would risk a progression that could risk her life just because she doesn't want to know. I thought or would have hoped that those days were gone when women had that attitude.

Much can be done today regarding cancer treatment ..you can ask the many women here who are stage IV and many yrs away from their dx. Chemo is NOT the chemo of even 10 yrs ago and is very doable even for older women. 

I hope that you may convince her to continue with treatment and that you will share a long life  with her.It is NOT the end of the road for her .With regards to whether it is cancerous or not..only a biopsy will tell..not by feel nor MRI nor mammo. It has to be tested.I doubt that you would be able to get the ball rolling ,for as long as she is of sound mind would anyone go against the patient's wishes. YOu could of course enc. her to go and let the Dr. explain more in depth the situation...perhaps that would help.

I wish you the best. 

Chuck

I hope your Mom and yourself will do well.

As far as I understand, you can get BRCA mutations, or any other genetic condition, from your dad, too. The genetic tests for BRCA mutations are pretty expensive, and not all insurers cover them.

I understand you're asking what you should do?

If you're asking me, I'd say, eat healthy food, exercise, don't smoke, and everything else that you can, to keep you away, if possible from risk factors. I think that's always a good strategy, whether you're [relatively] at risk or not. Unfortunately, we're all at risk.

What do you think you'd do if you discovered you carried a mutation? Would you opt for prophylactic bilateral mastectomy? It's a very hard personal decision. But if you think you won't, even if you do carry a mutation - then there may be no point looking for it.

Hope that helps. I wish you and your Mom well,

Chuck

spar2

What a sad situation.  Try to get your mom to open up, if not for herself for you.  Try to get her to the dr. and you go with her to hear what he has to say hisself.  It is a tough situation.  hugs.

prd8282

Chuck,

I have thought long and hard about it, if I were to test postive for the mutation I would get the prophylactic bilateral mastectomy.  I am only 27 years old and I have my kids to think about.  I would want to take care of it now than to just wait and see.