don't know what to do

jackrat

Hello

I am new to this forum. My mum was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 70 and my auntie (her sister) was diagnosed at 79 (they are both still alive) but she had cancer in both breasts so I now visit my family history clinic and mammograms yearly. I am apparantly not considered a high risk but enough to keep monitored.

Last night I felt a very tiny difference in my right breast - it feels almost like a small spot just below the surface but also a bit like a tiny cyst. I have to really feel round for it though. I feel like I am making a fuss about nothing but don't really want to ignore it. 

My question is; do I go to my GP or shall I contact the family history clinic at the hospital or shall I wait in case it is just a spot developing?

Thanks

leaf

If you are premenopausal, then you may want to monitor your lump for a few weeks to see if it shrinks and grows with your menstrual cycle. (You can use a ruler or tape measure and write down its size horizontally and vertically.)  Untreated cancer does NOT shrink. The vast majority of premenopausal breast lumps are benign.

If you are postmenopausal, then I would make an appointment with your GP.  You may want to make an appointment with your GP now, regardless of how your lump behaves, and if your lump shrinks you can cancel it.  It usually takes me at least a week or 2 to get an appointment with my GP.

If in doubt, get it checked out with your doctor. 

Typically, postmenopausal breast cancer is associated with sporatic cases of breast cancer.   That doesn't mean its impossible that you have a familial mutation, but its less likely. The mean age to get breast cancer in the USA is in one's early 60s.   About 70% of women who get breast cancer have no obvious risk factors (besides being a woman.) 

Let us know how it goes, OK?

mawhinney

What is a "family history clinic"? 

catbill

I would go ahead and call my GP, but let them know you are concerned about a lump in your breast.  Often the clinic will try to get you seen as soon as possible.

Jacob7846

What shall my mom do if I think that she may have breast cancer?

jackrat

hello again

Just to let you know I went to my Gp on Friday and they fast tracked me to the breast clinic. My appointment was yesterday and everything is fine - they just said it was breast tissue. What a relief.

Thanks for your advice.

hrf

How do they know it is just breast tissue? Did they do mammo/us?

shells43

Jacob7846,

Why do you think you Mom has breast cancer? Has she told you about a lump or something? She should go get it checked immediately. A biopsy is the only way to tell for sure. This is a great source for information for you and her so ask as many questions here as you need to. Hopefully everything will be ok.

jackrat

they did mammogram and ultrasound