Trying to take this in stride

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knon24
knon24 Member Posts: 5
edited October 2019 in Not Diagnosed But Worried

I found a lump in my right breast the other day. I don't have a familial history of breast cancer and I'm only 31. I know it's very unlikely that this is cancer. I have a history of cysts around my ovaries. I had a salpingo-oophorectomy back in 2015 because I had complex solid cysts wrapped around everything down there but from what I can tell, it's not really relevant to what's happening now. The lump is small, at first I thought it was like a pea shape but finding it's feels more a lima or kidney shape. It is in the upper inner quadrant, is hard, and doesn't move but also doesn't feel super deep, at least not to me. I work in the healthcare field and my first thought was "yeah this is definitely a cyst". But I also called my doctor just to be safe. She said her first thought was cyst as well but I also have some "concerning skin patches" on my breast. I actually had her look at these back in April and she was not concerned then. Personally, I thought the patches looked fungal and have been using anti fungal cream on them. They aren't going away though. She's ordered an ultrasound and said a mammogram probably wouldn't show much. She said she was also ordering a biopsy in case it was needed. I'm a little thrown by all this; I fully expected her to tell me "good for you for knowing your body but you have no need to worry!" I think she's probably being overly cautious though right? These skin patches are not typical breast cancer signs. They are shiny white patches. They've never been pink/red and they've never been open sores. They are not what I would think of as typical skin cancer signs.

I guess I just needed to get my thoughts out. Don't want to worry my family/friends over nothing. My husband's mother died of breast cancer many years ago and he's sensitive to it, rightfully so, so I definitely don't want to worry him yet. Is it weird that my doctor didn't want to order a mammogram or is that a good sign? I know the best thing to do is just wait and try to be calm and talking about it calms me.. I'm trying hard to not touch that Dr. Google. Has anybody heard similar instances to mine?

Thanks for listening!

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited October 2019

    For the skin patches, you should probably see a dermatologist. Personally I wouldn't use anti-fungal cream w/o a derm doc approving.

    For the lumps, good for your doc. She is being proactive. An ultrasound will often clarify things - so no need to waste time on a mammo at this point. Since she'd ordered the biopsy if necessary, that means you won't have to wait yet another two weeks if they want to check further. Hopefully it's a cyst & benign.

    In the mean time, waiting is hard. Do stay away from google. Binge watch TV or take long walks or try to schedule fun lunches with friends - or shoe shopping if that is your thing. And I agree about not worrying your husband - unless you really need his support and can carry it off that YOU are not worried.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited October 2019

    HI Knon and welcome!

    We echo MinusTwo's post above -- all good points. Please keep us posted with what you find out -- we're thinking of you!

    --The Mods

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  • knon24
    knon24 Member Posts: 5
    edited October 2019

    Thank you for the reply and advise. Doing my best to fill my days with other things. It's easier when I'm working and can concentrate on my patients but this weekend has been rough at home. I keep checking to see if it's still there, hoping it disappears the way cysts do sometimes. I'm very anxious to get these tests scheduled but I know it can take awhile. My doctor said the hospital would call me to schedule so I'm trying to be patient. In my experiences as a nurse though, the patient always had to call to schedule so I might make a few phone calls to inquire about this on Monday. I know all hospital systems can be different though.

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  • mac5
    mac5 Member Posts: 135
    edited October 2019

    knon

    You know your body better than anyone. Yes a hard, well defined lump with firm edges isn’t usually cancer.

    But...the skin involvement, is there a patch close to the lump?

    There is a definitive link to Ovarian Cancer and Breast Cancer according to my Geneticist. So have more Tests. If a Mammogram doesn’t show anything, ask for an Ultrasound. If the Ultrasound is inconclusive, ask for an MRI.

    Not every Breast Cancer shows up on a Mammogram. Neither of mine did

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited October 2019

    kron - Djmammo posted the advice about breast self exams from 6 or 8 top hospitals a couple of days ago. The wisdom was to check once a month. Please try to stop feeling for the lump or trying to find more if you can.

    Sorry mac5. It's Dr. Google that gets everyone panicked about skin patches. Truly her description (shinny white patches) is something a dermatologist should see of a PCP doesn't have a good answer. I go for a full body derm exam every 6 months due to various skin issues, and although it takes time to get into a derm doc, I think that's the ticket here.

    kron - I agree with your 'nurse' knowledge about appointments. Call the ULS department Monday and: a) make sure the orders are in the system, and b) advocate for an appointment this week.

    When I've called an imaging department directly, I have always been seen w/in a week.

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  • knon24
    knon24 Member Posts: 5
    edited October 2019

    Minor issues in otherwise healthy individuals don't typically need a specialists but I agree that if this doesn't clear up, I'll be seeing a dermatologist. I'm using a stronger anti-fungal now and will see how that works. I appreciate the advise and will do my best to take heed! No googling and I will be calling the hospital.

    I tried to find the thread you referenced by djmammo but my eyes must be missing it. Did it have evidence against checking too often? I'm not like doing full out breast exams on myself or looking for other lumps. But I'm very conscious that it's there and cannot help but run my fingers across it occasionally. It's always on my mind!

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited October 2019

    knon - here you go. Good luck.

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/83/topics...


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  • mac5
    mac5 Member Posts: 135
    edited October 2019

    Thanks for the info...but it wasn’t Dr Google i was listening to. It was my MO at MDA

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  • knon24
    knon24 Member Posts: 5
    edited October 2019

    Thank you to everyone for taking the time to read and respond to my ramblings. I just got the call that my ultrasound is scheduled for tomorrow. $800 out of pocket paid on pre-registration. Frustrating to say the least, especially because I’m more and more convinced this is a cyst but it’s not something I’m willing to chance. My doctor originally said she wasn’t ordering a mammogram but I guess she did. I’m very nervous but glad that it’s being done quickly

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited October 2019

    Good luck tomorrow.

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  • knon24
    knon24 Member Posts: 5
    edited October 2019

    Thank you! My nerves are getting the best of me tonight. It's very odd that most of the time I'm fine and logically know this is going to be a very costly cyst and then next thing I know a cloud of panic falls over me. I have so much admiration for the strength that many of you have had when facing this and more. I want answers tomorrow but I expect that's not going to happen.

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