How was your BC found? By doctor or you?

Nance72

My BC was found by my doctor during my physical around a week before my 40th b-day.

Was confirmed, after a mammogram, ultrasound, and a biopsy, on Feb. 24th. MRIs and biopsies were then done on my left breast- came out negative. Lumpectomy on right breast - my surgeon removed a 2.5mm lump and 2 lymph nodes from under my arm (stage 2b IDC). Port was put in last week, start chemo (AC) on Tuesday. I am luck to have gone for a check up when I did, and am very fortunate to live near Yale - My surgery was done at Temple Medical Center, but my Chemo and Radiation will be done at one of the Yale Clinics about 5 minutes from my house.

irishjava26

Mine was found through Mammo, ultrasound and MRI, had gone to the Dr for what I thought was a possible breast infection. I had them in the past....I was certainly shocked when the biopsy report came back that I had cancer.....Mastectomy will take place Monday May 21,2012..I am new to this site...So if anyone could offer any suggestions for recovery and so forth..I have two little boys ages 6 and 3. I just want their life to continue on as normal while I am recovering and waiting to see what the next treatment may be...Thank you in advance.I am so glad I found this site...

   Susan

Anonymous

Susan ~ First off, sorry you have to join us here.  There are a lot of great threads on this forum that have great advice and support as you start this journey.  I know it was invaluable to me as I stepped into this strange world of breast cancer.  (You become an expert real quick!

Take some time and explore around the site.... find similiar diagnosis to yours....info on surgeries.  There is often threads started for women going through mastectomies at the same time as each other.  If you have any questions feel free to private message me too.

You'll be on the road to recovery before you know it.  I had my mastectomy 1 1/2 years ago and am really starting to put BC in my rear view mirror.

~ Susan 

Sonata

Original cancer--I found a lump myself at the age of 29.

Recurrence(s)--I've had 2 more since the original that were found on subsequent testing (mammogram, CT scan), leading to a bilateral mastectomy in November 2011.

The most recent one on my chest wall was found just 5 months after that surgery.

irishjava26

Thank you Susan...

    I will look around on the site thank you very much!

     Susan

Califgirl12

Routine Mammogram, then US, then US guided biopsy. 47 at age of DX. Asolutely no family history....and we have a lot of women in my family.



Tumor was located against chest wall and would never had been felt during self exams until it was gigantic.



All my DOctors told me it was very tiny (.6mm) and that I was very lucky to have found it.

mstrouble16

I always have to have a mammogram and ultrasound every year because I have (had) such dense fibrocystic breast disease, I have (had) a lump 2.3/4 cm on my left side and several small one on the right which is were this tumor was. Nothing showed up on the mammogram and almost didn't see on the ultrasound, it's was only .5mm or so they thought after the PET scan and MRI they found that it was actually 1.7cm (it actually was 2.1 cm). I found this out on my 30th anniversary GREAT present don't ya think!  Well the only good thing is I got a tummy tuck and new smaller boobs all at the same time!

Shayne

Most of my women friends do NOT know the symptoms of BC......i posted them for them on Facebook.

FilterLady

Mine was found during my yearly mammogram....confirmed by ultrasound.  I had a wire localization then excixional biopsy. 

Pathology confirmed IDC, then I had a lumpectomy and sentiel lymph node biopsy.  The surgeon got clear margins and there was no lymph node involvement.  I also had 35 radiation treatments.

I've been getting yearly mammos since age 40 (56 now) and the doctor always comes in and says "everything's good, see you next year".  But not this time....it was more of a shock than anything else.  

I almost cancelled that appt since I had lots to do but went anyway, now I'm so glad I didn't put it off. 

SelenaWolf

Self exam.  Ten years of mammograms - including the one a few months before finding the lump myself - had all been "clear".  I have, since, been told by my RO that mammograms are only about 70% accurate (who forgot to mention THAT?) and that a majority of breast cancers are still found by women doing self exams.

riverhorse

Self. About a year after clear mammogram 20 years of mammograms. BS said had probably been there for several years.

julz4

I guess you could say I found it as I wasn't due till the end of June for my yearly.  I had been having achyness in my left breast off & on for years.  Mainly by the outer side by my arm pit.  Then 4 months ago I started having intense itching in same breast, both would come & go no rhyme or reason.   Then a few weeks later my nipple really hurt I looked at it & it was all red with visiable lumps on 1/2 the nipple.  The exact same spot I had a CNB 4 years before due to micro calcification's found in my second yearly mammo at 41.  I found this on a Saturday, by Monday reddness, bumps were gone.  Still residual pain at nipple & achyness.  Called Gyno was seen a few hours later on a Monday by Wednesday I was in for a mammo & US.  They found a tiny 9.9mm mass.  US said complex cyst.   After many test's, FNB AH, bilateral MRI said cancer in mass.  Then CNB confirmed DCIS.  Partial Mastectomy came back DCIS-MI, 2.8 cm, stage 1, 0/2 nodes, grade 3, ER-, PR-, Her2 still pending.

2 months after my last biopsy 4 years ago.  Being extra hyper about checking myself as not all calcifications were not seen clear enough to test ( 2 small spots close together ).  I was keeping an eagle eye on myself.  I felt changes to the area just confirmed & achyness back then.  They did a mammo & US back then & only found fibrocystic changes.  Every year my mammo was clear.  As my BS would see me an hour after the mammo & go over them with me & do an exam.  I would look at that spot every year, it had a cross section of many veins there.  I always wondered...mmmm.  Don't have to Wonder anymore. 

edwards750

Mammogram. Mom had BC in her late 60's; she found it herself so sister and I have been having annual mammograms. Have been called back to have one redone but have never been called to come back in. I was and somehow I knew it was bc. They said one breast was larger than the other on the mammogram. Not a good sign. Anyway from that point, biopsy; lumpectomy; surgery to even margins and 33 rads treatments. All happened so fast didnt really have time to fall apart. Have had 2 mammograms since then and both are clear...so far, so good. On Arimidex for 5 years; so far no side effects.

kyliet

Slight dent under breast, about the size of a fingerprint. I thought it was cellulite but because I was sure it hadn't been there a few months before went to dr. No palpable lump. He sent me for mammo and US. Core biopsy said grade 1, 8mm. everyone said would be no problem, that it was low grade and caught early. Operation: 1.3 plus satellite tumour plus 3 nodes with ECE and lymphatic channel invasion.

Had chemo (FEC D), starting RADs next week. I have 3 children and am 44. 

Anonymous

"Most of my women friends do NOT know the symptoms of BC......."

I agree...I know I was uninformed before all this.  I really thought it would be a "noticeable round lump".  I had never heard of looking out for a "thickening" (which is what I had). 

My sister just had a "scare" with a call back on her mammogram...she then had an ultrasound and got the "all clear".   I told her to make sure she still does those self exams.

I mean.... I don't want to unneccessarily scare her....but just look through this thread and you can see how many times women are given the "all clear" only to find BC themselves within months.  It sucks.

Ellendou

Mine was found by a routine mammogram, then ultra sound and then biopsy.

moni731

I found mine through self exam. My BIL was dying of melanoma when I first found the lump in 10/10. Had had lumpy breasts before. with negative biopsies, so i waited until Jan. to see PCP. I knew this was different in that it did not change with my periods. Sent to do a dx mammo and biopsy in Feb. Results came back 2/10/11 with positive dx. When my PCP told me the results were positive, I said I knew. She was taken aback by that and asked how. Told her I had seen the image on ultrasound and it looked positive. My tumors were in the ducts and about 2cm away at about the 8:30 position, and in the lymph node. The position of the tumor overlay and ran directly on top of a rib. Even the rad called the palpation 'sutle' and was impressed that i had felt it. I had always done BSE's, but no mammo's. I was told that my breasts were very dense, and am now doing MRI's every six months. Also had another BN FA dx'd by MRI. Firm believer in BSE's, mammo's less so.No family hx., breasfed total of 5.5 yrs, non-smoker, etc. 

QuinnCat

Found on 2011 Screening Mammogram, though sent for Diagnostic Mammo and Ultrasound for confirmation and biopsy.  Had gotten busy with a home remodel in 2009 and 2010; consequently skipped my 2010 mammo.  I often wonder if my tumor could have been caught the year before.  First mammo I had skipped since turning 40...cancer dx'd at age 57.  I also got a bit complacent as I had passed the ages of my mother and 2 aunts, all getting BC at age 52.

Not one of three doctors, my gyn, BS and MO could palpate the 1.1 cm (on film), 1.4 cm (post surgery path) mass.  It was deep and I was large breasted.   When I saw the diagnostic mammo, it lit up like a Xmas tree...not very dense breasts at all.  I desperately want to review my 2009 mammo to see if they missed something.

Annicemd

I found mine through self exam. If I hadn't found the lump myself the blighter might not have been picked up until my first mammo which in UK where I live would be at 50 i.e. 8 years later and would have been huge by then!

aliasismo

Mine was found in the left breast when I went for a six-month follow-up mammogram on the right breast, ironically.  The radiologist noted a "suspicious area" and did a core biopsy.  The diagnosis isn't complete yet; I have an MRI scheduled for Tues.  My BS says the Radiologist had good instincts and was to be commended. 

Shayne

Good luck with your results aliasismo!!

stjude10

I had a lump that appeared and was visible on the areola. I had 2 mammos and an ultrasound that said everything was fine. I followed my gut and threw a fit that something was there. My pcp sent me to a bs for a second opinion and here I am.

LAjen

Mammogram.  i'm 42 and had 3 previous mammograms beginning at age 35.  My mom died of breast cancer at 54 in 1981, so I started getting mammos a little early.  This year at my yearly gyno appointment I asked for the mammo prescription I always get and my dr hesitated.  even with my family history, I was considered very low risk by everyone (mom only had cancer on one side, smoked, drank excessively and I believed was diagnosed after menopause).  I went ahead and did the screening mammogram - after all, my insurance was paying.  When I got the news to come back for a disgnostic mammo, I was not surprised.  this usually happens as I have dense breast that are difficult to read.

However, I was completely shocked to be asked back for a stereotactic biopsy.  Even more shocked to hear the tiny spot of calcifications on the left was IDC.  Boo.  After that, I had an MRI  which revealed NOTHING on the left side (they think the biopsy may have gotten it all out!).  Unfortunately, there is a "suspicious area" on the right.  At this point, I had already decided on a BMX.  I guess I don't have to worry about my suspicious area anymore!  Just add an additional sentinel node biopsy to the other stuff.

Nipple-sparing BMX with immediate reconstruction (one-step implants) scheduled for July 9th. 

I'm telling all my friends - get your mammograms...at the best place you can.  My IDC was so small it may not have been seen by inattentive tech.  I consider myself very lucky.

leanne1980

I was diagnosed this week after 6 months of going to GP's. I had a hard mass which was sore and nipple discharge. Went to 1st GP - sent to mammogram and ultrasound. Showed nothing. Given anti-biotics.  Less sore, still discharge, 2 more lots of antibiotics. Went to my man GP who diagnosed me 6 years ago with ALL (acute lymphoblastic leukaemia - funnily enought 5 year remission this march...) who decided he still wanted to know what was happening. At this stage they thought it was nothing as I am only 31.

Sent to hospital surgeon who sent me for another ultrasound. Came back as hard tissue. Decided he wanted to to a biopsy by stabbing in several areas as no specific lump. Found out that indeed there were cancerous cells.

So now having MRI on Friday to sort out what to do next with my IDC!

And after all that apparently the discharge is no way related - All dr's having NO idea why it was doing it??!

liefie

My gyne felt the lump in my left breast on Dec. 1st, 2011 when I went for a yearly routine check-up. 18 months before in 2009 there was nothing when he examined my breasts, but he did urge me at the time to also get a routine mammogram, which I did not do - yes, very stupid of me. After he found the lump, I went for a mammo, and was recalled for another one on which I could clearly see the tumour just behind the nipple in the left upper quadrant. Next day got ultrasound and core needle biopsy which confirmed a 1.8 cm tumour. Had UMX on Feb. 7 with SNB, IDC with one positive node and lymphovascular involvement, ER/PR+, HER-. I will always wonder if I had gone for the mammogram in 2009 as my gyne asked me to do, if the tumour would have been discovered earlier . . . It's no use crying over spilt milk and it is what it is. Finished chemo and is currently doing rads, almost done with that too.

msphil

I was 42yrs old and still havin my period too like clock work, one good thing for me is that when I started chemo it went off and only had a few spotting and now its been gone for many many yrs.  msphil(idc, stage 2,0/3 nodes, L mast, chemo and rads and 5 yrs on Tamoxifen)

DianaPrince

I've been getting mammos since I was 25 due to the "worst breast cancer family history I've ever heard of" said my then-primary doc.

Unfortunately, I haven't been the most vigilant on getting them.  Last one was 2.5 years ago.

This time I went because I had a long-standing thickening (been there since the last mammo and U/S) that changed somehow.

Because of my family history (although I've never been tested for BRCA mutations), for me, it was always a matter of "when" not "if," but once I got to the age where I outlived my mother, a false sense of security overcame me.  Coping is so weird sometimes and potentially dangerous for one's health.  Although I have stopped with the what-ifs, I was mentally kicking myself for not finding it while it was DCIS.  That lasted about 24 hours until I realized it was pointless, and I just have to deal with my current diagnosis.

mybee333

Do you think testing would change your decisions regarding which surgery to get? 

I say that because I had two lumpectomies, no clear margins and ultimately a mastectomy.  I am very glad now I had the mastectomy. Reconstruction w/o rads is simplier and my reconstruction as it is, has not been simple. After lumpectomy, chance of a recurrence are higher, necessitating a MX anyway.  Obviously the majority of women do not have a recurrence but with your family hx, it may be something to consider.

No one explained all of this to me, at least in a way that I understood, at the time I was making decisions.  My goal was to save my breast.  It could not be saved but now I am glad of it.

FernMF

Routine mammogram 20 months since last one.  (I had dense tissue, fibro cystic - and had felt "something" in the area - but thought it was just a shifting/change in the fibro cystic).  Mammo came back with order for another, then an ultra sound, then a needle biopsy, then a breast MRI - then 2xmastectomy . . . awaiting ONCOTYPE to see if my "slightly positive" PR receptor will be enough to modify or change a chemotherapy regimin, OR just the hormone receptor regimin.  First Oncologist took the "slightly positive" PR receptor as a negative, and the 0.83 IDC in the sentinel node (found AFTER surgery, sentinel node measured negative during surgery - so the surgeon only took it) as a 0 . . . . Not going back to that Oncologist.  Today say Oncologist #2 - and very pleased with his demeanor, both professional and compassionate.  I like that he said "You let me be the pessimist, and work the numbers.  You be the optimist and don't dwell on the percentages . ..  "  OK DOC!  Next appt is 7/19

DianaPrince

mybee:  Yes, if I had the mutation(s), I would go for a BMX right now.

I am a little frustrated right now with the lack of an MO on my team.  I got a referral for a one-time appointment for BRCA analysis to the MO of my choice in-network, but it's scheduled only the day before my lumpectomy.

A friend of mine is an RN for a Breast Care Center, and their processes are more up-to-date.  The whole team--MO, RO, BS, genetic counselor, social worker--looks at everything, then the recommended options are discussed with the patient. There is even a nurse navigator to help each patient through the entire process of her individualized treatment plan.  My friend is the one that pushed me for a medical oncologist, which I asked for, but when I got home, I looked at the specific instructions on the referral form, and that's when I realized what I was being referred for and for how many visits.

I wish I could just sit back and know that I have an entire team working together as they do at Breast Care Centers, rather than having to advocate for myself CONSTANTLY and still not getting what I expect.  Not having the "right" insurance plan is a royal pain.  As it is right now, I'm afraid to delay the lumpectomy and SNB--I just want it OUT!--so I'm going ahead with it, without knowing my gene status.