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livelaughlove3
livelaughlove3 Member Posts: 6
edited June 2014 in Young With Breast Cancer
Advice Appreciated
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  • livelaughlove3
    livelaughlove3 Member Posts: 6
    edited January 2008

    I posted to the not diagnosed but worried and they said to post here to see if you girls could give me some advice.  About a year ago I was in to the doctor because of a lump that I found.  The doctor was able to find that one and found a couple more on her own that I hadn't found.  I wanted a mammogram but they wouldn't do one on me because of my age (I was 28).  They decided to do and ultrasound instead and the lump that I had found they said was just a cyst and to watch it.  So I have and haven't been back because I felt like the doctor thought I was overreacting.  So yesterday in the mail I got a letter saying that I was due for a mammogram and needed to call and schedule one.  I called and they said that they can't even schedule one for someone of my age (29 now).  She asked why I was even calling to have one, I told her that the letter said that I needed to have one scheduled.  She again told me that they won't do one for someone of my age and they can't even schedule it.  I said then why did I get the letter.  She told me that it was because I was in the system and insurance won't even cover it for my age.  I told her that the insurance isn't an issue right now I just want to know that everything is ok.  Why send the letter if you won't do one for me.  I am soooo frustrated and just want all of this cleared up.  I don't understand why they just won't do one for me.  I have a few lumps that have come up since I was in last year and I don't know about family history because my mom is adopted and she doesn't go in regularly for checkups like she should.  I just wish that I could get someone to listen to me and to a mammogram. 

    Thank you all for listening and any advice would be appreciated.

    J

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  • nash
    nash Member Posts: 2,600
    edited January 2008

    Hi, J--I read the responses you got over on the not diagnosed board, and I think the girls are right--the best course of action is to pursue another u/s. They're best for identifying cysts vs. solid masses.

    Is there anyway for you to go to a breast surgeon? Cysts can easily be drained, and it would put your mind at ease. 

    Another good board for you to check out is www.youngsurvival.org. It's worth posting over there for some more advice on what you should do.

    Since you have so many lumps in your breast, it does sound like you have palpable cysts and/or fibrocystic breasts. Although there are women your age with bc, it's rare. However, personally, the subtype of bc I have only accounts for 1% of bc, and I was diagnosed at 38, so I never like to poo-poo something as too rare to happen. Best to get things checked out.

    Good luck, and keep us posted! 

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  • morgansmom
    morgansmom Member Posts: 134
    edited January 2008

    I agree that you need to follow up on this.  Odds are that these are cysts and not bc but you need to know for sure so you don't have to worry about them if they are nothing or can treat them if they turn out to be something of concern.  Since your dr can feel them would it be possible to do a needle biopsy?  That is how mine was initally diagnosed...a small lump that I could feel, the dr. said he could aspirate it and send the sample for a biopsy so I would sleep better at night not worrying about what it was.  Well, obviously I did not get the answer I was hoping for but hopefully you will! 

    What type of dr. did you see?  Was it a family practice dr?  You might try an ob/gyn, the one's here seem to be more agressive in finding the cause of breast lumps than our general practitioners...I have a friend who is 30 and just found a lump, she is scheduled for a mammo on Monday so it can be done and paid by insurance if you find the right dr.  Maybe a second opinion is worth considering.  I have been diagnosed with two different types of cancer in the past 2 years with no family history of either...I am a BIG believer of not just letting drs brush you off because something seems unlikely to them.  You have to be your own health advocate because this is much more important to you than it is to anyone else...be persistent, the squeaky wheel gets attention!

    Good luck!  Keep us posted!!!

    Mindy

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  • CaNatalie
    CaNatalie Member Posts: 70
    edited January 2008

    Hi J-

    I can totally relate to being brushed off by doctors because of age (I am 27). I had two ultrasounds that showed nothing, but I knew something was wrong so I insisted on an MRI and that's when they found mine. So while it probably is nothing, I agree with Mindy and Nash about getting it biopsied. If I would have just done a simple biopsy it would have saved me months of headaches and stress. You definitely have to be your own health advocate!

    Take care,

    Natalie

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  • livelaughlove3
    livelaughlove3 Member Posts: 6
    edited January 2008

    Thank you ladies for the advice.  Morgansmom, the doctor that I saw was at the breast clinic.  I would have thought that she would have had a little more compassion.  I am going to go and see an independent physician.  Where I am at they tend to make referrals before a doctor at the main clinic will.  I just want answers to what is going on.  Thanks for listening and I will keep you posted.

    J

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  • ladydi
    ladydi Member Posts: 94
    edited January 2008

    I would also insist on more tests. I found a lump at age 35, went to see ob/gyn and then had  a mamogram, lumps were scene there. I went immediately to ultrasound, then had a needle biopsy. Later I had a breast MRI which showed a 3rd lump. All cancerous. I wasn't 40 yet either. But if the tests are necessary, insurance should pay! Keep fighting for answers!

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  • BethNY
    BethNY Member Posts: 2,710
    edited March 2008

    I would go see another breast surgeon.

    Cysts will come and go, especially if you drink caffeine, and around the time of your period.

    Cysts, can be drained though.

    If a lump is there, and it's not going away like a cyst would, it could be a fibroad, or it could be something else.

    So, another U/S is needed.

    It's bullshit to say that young girls can't get mammograms.  The truth, is that they dont work well b/c our breasts are dense, so an Ultra Sound is better.

    There's no harm in pushing to have another done to see whats doing in your breasts.

    You need a dr. that will take you seriously.

    I would walk in there with a print out from the YSC site with statistics on young women with cancer.

    well, actually thats a lie.  I would walk in there, and say, listen bitch, I had cancer when I was 26, so you need to take this girl seriously...

    I digress.

    Just get the peace of mind you need, and check back in to let us know what happens.

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  • brst26
    brst26 Member Posts: 155
    edited February 2008

    Hi J.  I would definitely pursue getting another dr. that will do a biopsy to test your cyst.  I found my lump on my own and brought it to my regular dr's attention at my annual physical last June...I have a strong family history of bc, so she sent me to have an ultrasound done on it right away to check things out.  The ultrasound was inconclusive and I was referred to a breast specialist (now my surgeon) at my hospital's comprehensive breast center.  I had already had a fibroadenoma in my other breast back about two years ago...so everybody figured that this was just another fibroadenoma.  My surgeon did a core needle biopsy on it...and it came back to be cancer.  She was shocked...nobody expected that I would have cancer at 26.  After diagnosis, I was ordered up a mammogram (which can be done for young women...however, like mine, many young women have very dense breasts, so nothing shows up) and an MRI.  The MRI showed my cancer and a positive lymph node...but no other tumors.  Long story short...while 8 out of 10 lumps turn out to be nothing...you need to be sure!  Do not give up...find a dr who will do everything to be sure.  Let us know how things turn out! 

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  • amandaj
    amandaj Member Posts: 13
    edited February 2008

    My advice is that you know you're body!  Don't rest until you are satisfied with the answers that you receive.

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  • livelaughlove3
    livelaughlove3 Member Posts: 6
    edited February 2008

    Well I called the breast clinic and made an appointment with a doctor there but she can't see me until the 12th of March.  They put me on a waiting list and will call if there is something sooner.  Thank you ladies for all of your support and advice.  I will let you know what happens.

    Jen

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