Referred to breast specialist after negative tests?

Nvrachel19

Hi! I have had a slightly painful lump in my left breast for years now. It hurts on and off (not matching with my cycle at all). One month it will hurt, then be fine for a few months, then hurt again. Anyway I had an ultrasound last year and it showed nothing. This year the doctor felt it and said it’s a large ridge and scheduled me for tests. I had my first mammogram (age 33) and a diagnostic ultrasound. Both tests were fine except dense tissue. The radiologists told me to have it checked again in a year. So then a week after my tests my doctor called with a referral to a breast specialist. They said it was completely up to me if I go. Of course I have been crazy worried so I am going next week. But I’m still confused as to why I would be referred if my tests are ok? Do they think the tests are wrong? Second opinion? Or just because it hurts they want me to see my options? The scheduler didn’t have any info and I’m going crazy with worry.

Moderators

Dear Nvrachel19,

Welcome to the BCO community. We are sorry for what bring you here but glad that you reached out for support. Here is a link to a page for those who are not diagnosed with breast cancer but worried. It gives you links to other pages that address common imaging questions and symptom questions. We hope someone else will pop in with a shared experience.

The Mods

Edited to make link hot.

djmammo

Nvrachel19

If the lump you are currently evaluating is the same one you have had for "years", and imaging has shown no abnormality in that location, then that's very encouraging.

Perhaps allowing you the option to see someone to have that area evaluated clinically, is routine for that office. Personally I only made that kind of referral if the patient expressed any doubt in the answers they received during their imaging appointment, or if they felt their questions were not answered adequately.

MelissaDallas

I think they just don't see anything obvious that could be causing your pain so they are "kicking you up the ladder." Since they said it was totally up to you, that leads me to think that they don't believe there is anything serious going on, but want to help you get to the bottom of it..

Yogatyme

It also seems that maybe they felt the breast specialist might have benefit of expertise and focus of their practice being breast health.

Sara536

I'm so sorry you find yourself in this situation. Your doctor was wise to give you a referral. If it were me, and the decision was left up to me, then I would jump on it. The specialist will know a lot more about breasts than a primary care physician and may want to do a biopsy, or at least be able to give you a very good explanation of why not. A biopsy would look at the actual cells. I would want a definitive answer. How else can you make a decision on next steps? Your young age does not rule out cancer. You will feel so much better when you know for sure what is going on and hopefully you will get an “all clear" and will be able to stop worrying. Best of luck to you!

Sara

MamaAvery

I was referred to a surgeon for a Fibroadenoma that bothers me. They don’t always remove them, but I was given the option due to the pain which is a lot like what you have described. (And the surgeon said it’s a safe choice to evaluate for phyllodes since mine is bothering me so much)

rottie

What everyone else said and in my opinion,sounds like your physician is being proactive.