Spot compression and sono for concerning area

BarelyHoldingOn

I'm 42 and went for my first mammogram on the 14th. I really hadn't done self checks before this. My friend recently lost her battle with metastatic bc at 39 and I had promised I'd do a mammogram. No concerns at all. Then I got a call from my PCP on the 17th: My breasts are very dense and there's an area they need to get more pictures of. He said "don't panic, I think it's a cyst". He said it's on the upper left side of the left breast. I tried to feel it but couldn't. Instead, I felt a firm, bean sized lump near my nipple and centered, very close to the skin. It feels smooth and is painless. It moves only a very little, sort of "popping" back and forth under my fingers. My next test isn't until the 23rd and my PCP appointment is the 30th.

I'm so scared I can't sleep and have no appetite. My anxiety is unbearable. My kids are young and all I can think about is leaving them like my friend had to leave her little girl. I can't think straight. Please help.

SmoothOperator78

a follow up is very typical for your first, baseline mammogram. Especially with dense breasts. Don’t fret. Very, very common. Don’t let it bother you too much.

Tell your PCP about the little lump when you go just so it can reduce a little more of your worries.

BarelyHoldingOn

Thank you so much for your encouragement. I'm so scared that all I do is cry and shake all over. I'm 102 pounds to start with and I've lost 4 because I can't eat. I struggle with anxiety in general.

Just so scared

Moderators

BarelyHoldingOn - We are sorry that you find yourself in this situation with breast changes but we are so glad that you reached out, welcome!

We know it's hard not to worry, but breast changes are very common in women. If it helps ease your mind, the article What Mammograms Show: Calcifications, Cysts, Fibroadenomas, from the main Breastcancer.org site describes some of the benign results that can come from testing.

Also, take a look at the following thread from our discussion boards where some members share helpful strategies to cope with anxiety: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/83/topics...

Hope this helps! Please keep us posted on your next appointments!

Best,

The Mods

MinusTwo

Barely - As Smooth says - they had no baseline films for comparison so it is normal for a call back. I had my first mammo at age 30 and was called back for additional films & ULS every single time for years. No cancer found until I was age 65. Try to find things to distract yourself - walk with your kids, binge watch TV, bake Christmas cookies. Good luck.

BarelyHoldingOn

Thank you so much. I have been so very anxious. (My husband was just diagnosed with cancer this summer, had surgery end of September.) Because my results wouldn't have been back before Christmas they very kindly fit me in to today's schedule. After the spot mammogram, I was terrified. The tech mentioned it was at the chest wall and I jumped right to worst case scenario. Then I went for the Sono and the radiologist determined just a Cyst!! I was overwhelmed with gratitude.

But, what I wish I could tell everyone is that everything I read said cysts are supposed to be mobile and tender. Mine is neither. The internet surely doesn't know everything.

SmoothOperator78

great news! I hope your next mammo goes more smoothly now that there are baseline films. Take a breath and enjoy the rest of your holidays. I also hope your spouse recovers quickly and completely.