Can't find info about nerve involvement

AstrosSis

Hi, I'm a newbie who will be 38 tomorrow. I found a hard, fixed, mass in the upper right quadrant of my right breast a few weeks ago while showering. I've noticed that when comparing my left breast to the right, the left breast feels more dense and fuller. Where the lump is on the right side, the breast is much softer, less dense and feels like there is no tissue in between the skin and the mass that I feel down deep. The mass isn't round, but feels long and flat with a larger, taller lump felt at one end. There is no pain with it, but when I push on it, I get a shooting nerve pain down my arm to my fingers and sometimes felt down in my trunk. I've been having severe right shoulder blade pain for years and am constantly asking my husband to massage it with no relief.

My question is, can all types of breast tumors or cysts cause nerve involvement or only certain types? Could what I thought has been a knot in my shoulder been related to this mass the whole time? I have been trying to schedule an appt at the health dept, but am not getting call backs due to the Covid crisis, but I will continue calling until I can get in. Thanks

MountainMia

If you have any other options for health care, please pursue those, too. I don't know anything at all about nerve involvement, but you deserve to be seen by a health professional who can help you. Best of luck.

MinusTwo

AstroSis - I agree with Mia. It doesn't sound reasonable that years of shoulder pain would now be breast cancer. However at 38 you many not have had your first mammogram. I'd pursue getting that done with your OB/Gyn.

AstrosSis

thanks you guys. Yeah my shoulder blade has hurt in the same spot for 3 years now. I was curious about any tumors known for causing the shooting nerve feeling down my arm when touching it though also. I do not have any other way of healthcare except the health dept though. I am unemployed without insurance. I also have Lupus, diabetes, hypothyroidism, narcolepsy,and heart failure, so working is not an option at the moment. My bones hurt so bad I can hardly move most days. Too exhausted too. With my other conditions, I haven't had routine gyn exams because I can only afford to take care of all the other problems usually. Its worrying me though so I might just go and sit and wait as a walk in since they aren't returning my calls for an appt. Thank you!

MelissaDallas

AstroSis, check out this program:

https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp/about.htm

MountainMia

" If you do not have health insurance, you can try to find a center that offers low-cost or free mammograms. Contact the National Cancer Institute (1-800-4-CANCER) or the American Cancer Society (1-800-ACS-2345) for assistance. Another option is the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (1-888-842-6355), which provides low-cost or free cancer screenings for women without health insurance."

That is taken from this page in breastcancer.org

https://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing/types/mammograms/where

Good luck to you.

AliceBastable

You can have more than one health issue at a time. The body doesn't work sequentially.

AstrosSis

Li-T- as mentioned before, I have lupus which hurts every part of my body. I've had steroid injections in every joint. Anytime I see a doctor for any type of pain they see I have Lupus, and immediately dismiss any other possible reason for the pain. "You have Lupus? OH, Lupus flare..go home and rest." But the difference with this shoulder is it has been constant as when other pains have come and gone. I also have peripheral neuropathy, small fiber neuropathy, bilateral carpal tunnel, lateral and medial epicondilitis...the list goes on.

thanks everyone for the other replies, I'll look into them also.

AstrosSis

I called my county health dept cervical and breast cancer program but got a recording that they are out covid testing today hopefully I get a callback soon. Thanks for the information Mia

AstrosSis

couldnt wait any longer. Just came to urgent care and got a stat Mamogram scheduled for tomorrow afternoon

MinusTwo

Astrosis - we're thinking of you. Good luck. They may want to do an ulltrasound also since mammograms don't pick up everything in dense breasts. Please let us know.

AstrosSis

thank you MinusTwo. Good news and bad news..

Bad news, they screwed up and even though rad appt says 5/6 when I called to apply for a grant this morning, they said they have me down for 5/7 at 12:30.. UGH!

Good news, I got the grant!! Mammogram, U/S, radiologist report, biopsy, ANYTHING from here on out will be covered!! Oh my gosh. I'm elated. Guess that $150 urgent care bill was worth every penny.

MinusTwo

Please to let us know how the testing goes.

AstrosSis

hello! Mam and US done. Looks like a dense buildup of tissue making it hard! Final report will be sent! Thanks everyone!

MinusTwo

Sounds like good news Sis - thanks for sharing. Hope the final report confirms.