Breast Cancer Community

Welcome to the group! It isn't something you would choose to need, but I promise we will do all we can to guide you thru.

Most likely you will have a physical exam and a mammogram. Don't be surprised if you have several different types. Among them are: the normal one which we all usually receive annually, a magnification mammo which helps enchance a point that they are suspicioius of, a digital mammo which is especaially helpful if you have dense breast tissue.

Hopefully they will give you the results pretty quickly...Some offices can supply the results even before you leave.

If the suspicious mass is evident in any of these, most likely they will order a biopsy. Again, there are a few different ones. A needle biopsy is exactly as described; a thin needle is inserted into the breast and aimed for the mass. The excisional or open biopsy is a surgical procedure in which an incision is made and tissue removed for analysis. Please know that neither of these are inordinately painful or difficult. Recovery is very quick.

What happens beyond that depends on the results of the biopsy. A thought to hold onto while you remain in limbo: 80% of lumps are benign!! So the odds are on your side!

Please know we will be thinking of you and sending very supportive vibes! Keep us posted on how you are doing. And feel free to come here with any concerns or questions.

Blessings.
Rachael

Usually breast tumors are detected with a mamogram so I think
they should identify what type of a mass is in your breast so
they need to do a mamogram to determine if you need a biopsy or not. Not all masses are cancerous and the biopsy will
determine that.
Do not think the worst is coming your way.
Once they identify the mass doctors will let you know if you need further treatment or not... all cases are different. One of my friends did not need any follow up. Another needed only surgery, I needed radiation after surgery... so you see every case is different...
do not think the worst is coming your way...
Come back to this site if you need more information
Good luck!

Hello and welcome, I just wanted to add they may also do an ultrasound of that area along with the mammgram if you have dense breast. I also had to get an MRI of the breast these are all things that may and could be done so please don't get worried if they are it doesn't mean it is cancer it just means they want to rule it out. Like the ladies before me said 80% of lumps are not cancer so the odds are with you that it isn't. my thoughts are with you angel hugs Roberta,

Thank you Rachel. I have had a rough time medically the last year or so with not so good news seems like every other month. Then when I went to my pulm doc and he showed me the ct scan it just freaked me out. Plus there is a history of cance rin my family. I always try to remainpositive and will do so thru this...I know chances are on my side that it is not malignant but you know what it helped hearing it from you 3 ladies! Thank you and I will keep you posted.

Thank you for replaying. Have had a roughyear or somedically and this was just kind of 1 more thing. I will remianpositive and I guess I just needed to hear someone say do not think the worst. Thank you again. I will keep youposted.

Hi Roberta
Thank you for replying. I have to admit I am scared, but will try to keep a positive attitude. I have ahad a rough year or so medically so this was just kind of 1 more thing! Thank you for the encouraging words and I will let you know how things turn out.
Ruby

Hi Ruby & Welcome,
Sorry you have to be here at all, but everyone here is truly amazing. This is a great place to get info, share,whine,tell jokes etc. We do it all here.
Early Detection was at the top of your post & I am the poster girl for that. I went to my Gyn because I had felt a lump. She checked & determined I needed a diagnostic mammogram & an ultrasound. After those were done I had a biopsy also.
It turned out I did have BC, but the lump that I felt was NOT where the cancer was ! My surgeon said you don't find them much smaller than mine was.
Hopefully you will fall into the non cancer category
But I consider myself SO lucky that mine was caught so early. I had a lumpectomy & radiation. No chemo. I finished my radiation 1 year ago.
I am sending good thoughts & prayers your way
Please keep in touch
Shell

Hi & thanks for replying. This does sound like an awesome place for answers and just plain good old support!. I know the odds are on my side it was just the last thing I expected tohear when I walked into my pulonologists office yesterday to talk about a ct scan for my lungs! but I guess it's a good thing in as much as they found the mass. I forget how big he said but it looked big he put his thumb & forefinget together in a circle and said about this big. I have had a tracheostomy for about 2 years and am having issues there actually a lot of issues so this was just kind of 1 more thing! But I'll get thru it. Thanks again and I will keep you posted

Went to my family doc Thurs. I go for a mammo & ultrasound next Thurs. She did an exam and said she felt something that was rubbery..she was very positive abut this as well so anxiety level is still ok right now!

Saw my family doc Thurs. go for an ultrasound and mammo next Thurs. My anxiety level isok so far. SHe did an exam said she felt something rubbery so we'll see!

saw my family doc Thursday. go for an ultrasound and mammo next Thurs. She did an exam said she felt something but it was rubbery. so we'll see. anxiety level is ok right now.

HI Ruby,
Just a note to let you know that I am praying for you as you do your followup tests. Please keep us informed. It is probably benign but the mind will try to think the worse. We are here for you, so feel free to ask questions and to express what is going on in you mind.

Ruby,
Thank you for the update sounds like your doctor is keeping things going at a good pace and that things are looking positive so far. I am glad your thinking positive and not letting the anxiety get the better of you. You have a great attitude and that is very good it helps in times like this when you have to wait believe me I know been there and done that. Waiting isn't easy or fun but we all get throgh it just try and keep your mind busy. I found cooking or watching movies worked great for me oh and baking love to be in the kitchen. lol. But then you have all that food so get some friends and or family to share it with for movie night. Or just relax and enjoy it all yourself what ever works for you just relax is what is important. I hope this has helped and keep up the positive attitude and stay strong you will be fine. My thoughts and prayers are with you angel hugs Roberta,

We'll be with your in spirit next Thursday!

Try to keep distracted with things you enjoy as you wait. (Waiting sucks big time! Nasty neighborhood to be sure!!)

Also, remember to breathe when the anxiety begins to invade. Deep breaths, slowy in and out. Keep doing this until things begin to slow down a mite.

Know you are in our thoughts. And please keep us posted on how you are.

Blessings.
Rachael