Breast Cancer ? - Albany,CA

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First of all...don't panic. Stress breaks down your immune system faster than anything and that's what you need the most :)

Cancer will attack anyone. Free radical activity in the cells needs to be kept in check in order to keep cancers at bay. That's why you hear so much about antioxidants these days. Antioxidants actually keep the oxidation process from occuring. Free radicals cause oxidation. Much like a barbeque grill will oxidize and rust if left in the elements. If it's protected, the rust can't begin. Once cancer has been jumpstarted, it's more difficult to control. The key is to prevent it.

You're wise to get to the doctor sooner than later. Please let us know how you are. We'll pray that this is absolutely nothing.

God bless,
M.

I had this happen to me too recently...I found a lump that was definitely not there before and it seemed hard and immovable. I was so freaked out. My gyn told me that it was most likely a benign cyst that was occurring with my period. We watched it for a cycle - it went away.

Anyone can get any type of cancer. You are smart to see the doctor right away. Since I was 25 years old I have found lumps of various sizes and in both breasts etc. I can't tell you how many ultrasounds I've had and aspirations...but I have been lucky no cancer. Recently I had a few biopsies due the suspicious nature found on the mammo and ultrasounds...all negative. I am now 57 so have it checked out sometimes these "cysts" go away by the time you see the doctor...but always get them checked. Good Luck.

I found several lumps and also one that was pea size when I was 32, also. I went to my primary care physician right away. They checked and said it was nothing. I couldn't figure out how they could know that but here it is 8 years later and it's gone. Keep an eye on it and keep your appointment. Be sure to live a healthy lifestyle whether it's cancer or not. I wish you the best.

Yes. breast cancer, like any cancer, is not picky.

Please keep track of it weekly until you see the doctor. If you see that it has grown or moved, contact your doctor and let them know it's changed.

It could be nothing. It could be something. Hormones, life style and birth control can take a part in contracting (I know it sounds like an STD but it's the only word I could think of) breast cancer.

I pray that it is not.

EDIT: Most mammograms need to have a script - I don't know of any place that you can just walk in and say "give me a mammogram" - If you can call your OB/GYN and tell them what is going on - they may just write the script for you to get one.

I have been fighting breast cancer for almost 15 years and I am the first in my family to get it. However please ladies do not rely completely self examination.

My breast cancer was discovered by having an mamogram with an ultrasound. Even after the doctor could "see" the cancer on the tests, he coulf not feel it! Better safe than sorry!

Yes. Anyone can get it; the chances are higher with a family history but you do not have to have a family history to get it. Your age is not necessarily a factor either. It's good you're seeing the doctor -- so often here on Mamapedia, women post before they even think about going to the doctor, as if we could diagnose them over the Internet! So bravo for you! I hope tha by doctor you mean your ob/gyn -- they feel a lot more breasts than a primary care doctor does and I would trust my ob/gyn to find things my primary just might not, because of the level of experience with breast exams each has.

You can't get a mammogram without a prescription for one from your doctor. I would call the doctor tomorrow and say you'd like to get one before your visit, so the doctor has that information to go on. The doctor will likely send you for one after the visit anyway, so maybe you can convince him or her to send you for one before the visit, so your doc has the radiologist's report in hand and saves you both some time.

Don't get too unduly worried; you can do nothing until you know more, and you are definitetly doing the right thing to get it checked (though if you can get in sooner it might give you peace of mind sooner). Be assertive with the doctor and ask for more testing if there is any hint that the doctor is wavering about whether to test further or not. Remember that many lumps are benign tumors or are just cysts. Meanwhile, cut down and eventually cut out caffeine (which can promote benign but scary "fibrocystic" cysts) just as a precaution in case that's the problem.

Yes, my mom was diagnosed with Breast Cancer this year. She is the first one in our family to have it.

You can definitely get breast cancer if it doesn't run in your family. Good for you for doing your self-exam. Keep your appointment. We will pray for you.

Yes you can and I hope everything is ok. Good luck love.

Yes you can. There is a connection in families, but most women who get breast cancer don't have a relative with it. Is there any way you can get to the doc earlier, and he can schedule a mammogram for you?

Good luck.

K.