Does BC cause pain? A little survey.

Minniesue,

I am glad you are seeing a breast specialist because I had lumps in my breast and under my arm and they were painful.  My radiologist kept telling me they were benign.  I had 3 ultrasounds and mammograms in 13 months and saw 3 different doctor's and no one was concerned it was cancer.  I finally went to a surgeon to just have them removed and I ended up having Stage 3 cancer.  I also found this article below later from a women lawyer and wish I would have found it when I had first felt the lumps and not listened to my radiologist!

1. The following symptoms must send you rushing to the nearest qualified physician:
2. ANY lump or swelling, painful or not, wherever located in the breast or underarm.
3. Nipple discharge.
4. Nipple turning inward.
5. Redness, scaliness or irritation of the nipple or breast skin.

6. When you get to the doctor with one of these symptoms, don't be hesitant to say right out loud - "I'm afraid I have breast cancer."

7. If you have a lump, whether palpable or seen on a mammogram, I believe it should be biopsied - NO EXCEPTIONS. It is probably safe to wait one cycle to see if the lump is a cyst related to the menstrual cycle, which comes and goes depending on the time of the month. Of course, 9 out of 10 will be benign. Of course, some expense will be incurred by HMO's and insurance companies.  But we are talking about saving the lives of women. Saving lives is, after all, the purpose of health care.  I am certain that a fair study would show that biopsies of all lumps are cost effective, when compared to the costs of overlooking breast cancer and treating it when it is advanced, not to mention the toll taken by the premature deaths of too many women from breast cancer that could have been successfully treated if timely diagnosed.

   It is NOT acceptable to wait any longer than one full menstrual cycle.  If your doctor refuses to refer you for a biopsy of a lump that has lasted for that long, find another doctor. If your insurance company or HMO refuses to pay for a biopsy, find a good lawyer willing to file a class action on behalf of all the women served by that HMO or insurance company who may also develop lumps and be refused appropriate diagnostic care.   Be sure to find out how long men with lumps in their testicles are required to wait before they are referred for biopsies paid for by the carrier or HMO.  Be assertive. Ask questions. Share your fears. Women with lumps in their breasts have every right to be afraid. We are not hysterical. We are not overreacting. We are trying to save our own lives.

ALWAYS pay attention to your body ladies (and gentlemen!) because pain anywhere on our body is trying to tell us something. My issue was a little pain but mostly itching. My nipple kept driving me nuts. Sure enough...because I did not let it go, they got mine very early cause I called a breast surgeon on my own when the radiologist wanted me to wait to follow up. You may save  your own life if you always insist on being seen and heard. Hugs!