Hard, firm, rope like area in left breast. Worried

RT123
RT123 Member Posts: 11
edited October 2018 in Not Diagnosed But Worried

I am 28, my mother had breast cancer this year at age 59 (post menopausal), my mom's sister was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 45 (pre-menopausal). My great maternal Aunt had breast cancer as well (I think post-meno). No genetic testing has been done yet.

This past Monday I found a hard area in my upper outer quadrant of my left breast. Measuring it with my fingers it seems like it is 2 inches or more across. It doesn't seem like it is round although the end closest to my axilla seems to have a small round hard ball on it deeper in the tissue. The middle part and other end just seems rope-like and somewhat tender to the touch. It is movable in the sense that when I roll my fingers over it it moves back and forth. My left breast also seems a little bigger than my right, but this one is always a touch bigger but now I think I'm noticing it moreso? I went to see my Doctor yesterday, so 3 days after I found this firm area. She ordered an urgent Ultrasound so I am waiting for the call for my appointment. My husband and I are actually trying for a baby right now so I asked my Dr should we wait until I know what this is before we try again and she said no and to keep trying. I also want to mention that I recently came off birth control in August after being on it for about 12 years. I am also on my period in my menstrual cycle. These things lead me to believe it could potentially be fibrous changes as I know hormone fluctuations with estrogen can attribute to breast changes. I don't know if this makes a difference but I am extremely active, I kickbox and workout 4x a week, I eat healthy and am a healthy weight.

I know this could be one of 3 things. 1) Cyst 2) Fibroadenoma/fibrosis of my breast - would this only happen in one breast though? 3) breast cancer

I am actually a Radiation Therapist and treat cancer patients and I am so so scared I may be going into a journey on the other side of things. Any positive messages would be greatly appreciated as I'm driving myself crazy.

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Comments

  • Beaverntx
    Beaverntx Member Posts: 3,183
    edited September 2018

    RT123, of course you are scared! Those of us in the health care professions can really scare ourselves because we know so much, and yet may well feel we don't know enough. As one who has fairly recently been through finding out that the "cyst" in one breast was just that but the shadow on the other was a tumor, I can tell you the waiting for results is the most difficult part, probably because we spend a lot of time imagining the worst, even when it turns out to be 0K. Being on the other side of things is doable, though. Here's hoping you won't have to find out! May you have the ultrasound ASAP and have the results you desire; as well may you have the same kind of diagnostic radiologist I have--one you gives you results before you leave the exam room. Hugs to you.

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  • djmammo
    djmammo Member Posts: 2,939
    edited September 2018

    RT123

    Let us know what the ultrasound shows. I have seen venous thrombosis present this way. If it is, the US/doppler will confirm.

    Also is there any history of trauma to that breast re: kick boxing?

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  • RT123
    RT123 Member Posts: 11
    edited September 2018

    Thanks for your reply. Actually, two weeks ago I was helping a patient sit up on the treatment bed and the way she held my left arm it actually gave me an injury to my left arm/shoulder/bicep area. I've been getting chiro for it for a week now. I thought it a strange coincidence that a week later I felt this hard ropy area on the same side in my breast.

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  • RT123
    RT123 Member Posts: 11
    edited September 2018

    Thank you for your support Beaverntx. ♡

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  • Alle082005
    Alle082005 Member Posts: 2
    edited September 2018

    hello...I know how anxious these things can make us feel. But yes,I do have rope like fibrocystic tissue in my right breast..very much of it is rope like...I've had it examined,ultrasound,and I was d dx with fibrocystic breast changes...I have much more of it in my right breast. I have one aunt who had BC ,she was dx at 69,but no other family history. Hope your US brings answers. Keep us updated.

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  • RT123
    RT123 Member Posts: 11
    edited October 2018

    That is comforting to know. Thank you. I'm still waiting on my ultrasound appt. Hopefully I get a call soon.

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  • RT123
    RT123 Member Posts: 11
    edited October 2018

    I finally had my ultrasound today. The Radiologist did it and told me right away that it was all normal breast tissue. I hope this has brought comfort to some others feeling the same thing. Thanks to those for commenting.

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