Scared And Confused

I really need advice from people who know.
In December I went for my annual and mammogram (I am 42). I was called back for further tests on both my breasts in January. The xray showed five masses in one breast and 4 in the other. After 8 series of xrays and a two hour ultrasound on my breasts the doc tells me that the masses are "probably benign" and I need to have the mammography again in six months and if there are changes in the breast tissue then I will have to have a biopsy. The hesitation for a biopsy, as I understand it, is that my past records of mammograms could not be found (prior military and lost during transition)to compare the recent series to. I told the doc that I have never been recalled nor have any masses ever been identified. I have had a dark green discharge from both breasts for ten years. Previous docs were unable to find the cause. Recently, I have experienced a weird kind of pain in the breast with five masses and it even hurts in my ribs. Sometimes, It feels like someone has poured hot water inside my breasts that I have always attributed to the green discharge.

I feel like the doc did a thorough exam but still don't feel comfortable with waiting for a biopsy. My first cousin just died of breast cancer a few months ago. Additionally, one of my co-workers was told the same thing ten years ago about a mass in her breast and she insisted on a biopsy and cancer was discovered behind the benign mass. She lost her breast, but it was caught early and she is doing great.

I don't know what to do. I don't want to seem paranoid, but both my mother and father have survived different types of cancers.
My coworker says to force them to do a biopsy. How do you force a doc to do a test they do not see necessary at this time.
What do you think? Should I follow the doc six month wait or force the biopsy.
Worried in Virginia, Topaz

Leisha,
Trust yourself and what you are feeling. After going to the same doctor for over 20 years, starting my mamogram in my 40's, I was told I only needed them every 2 years. Even though on my mamogram a note of yearly exam needed because of history (Mom had several cysts and her Mom had Breast Cancer), I trusted my doctor. One morning, while getting dressed for work, found a lump. I went to my doctor and was told that I needed a mamogram (even though I had just been for my check-up 6 months earlier. To make a long story short, the radiologist found 2 lumps on the same breast - my doctor said that it was probably just cystic breast. I decided to have the biopsy, came back malignant, had the mastectomy (had another lump, larger of the three that did not show until the breast was taken off). Had I listened to my doctor of over 20 years probably wouldn't be here today. On January , 2005 was my 10th year since my surgery.
If there has been one thing that I have learned is that doctors can be wrong. Trust yourself - do what you want! Please get in touch if you need someone who has been there to answer your questions.

Bernadine

Get the biopsy! Even if you have to change doctors to get it done. I had a large mass that came up in my right breast. They did mammogram and ultra sound and said it looked okay and I could have it removed when I was ready. Saw three different doctors and none of them even mentioned biopsy. I waited almost a year due to having a hysterectomy. Went to have the mass removed by a plastic surgeon and boom! Malignant. I had lobular carcinoma which will ONLY show up in a biopsy and can not be detected by mammogram or ultrasound! Go girl go. Even though I waited, I was lucky it had not passed through my lymph nodes. Now cancer free. Good luck, don't wait and always follow your instinct through this process every step of the way.

You should absolutely have the biopsy. If your dr doesn't want to adhere to your wishes, find another dr who will. Breastcancer is in your family history and that should be enough to convince any dr to do it. These cysts/lumps are new to your breast, you've been having discharge... there's obviously irregularities.

On a side note, I've had the green discharge before, and it was always from benign cysts. I've had these cysts drained in the past and it always turned out ok. But I was in my teens.

Good luck to you!
Karyn

Thank you so much for your response. I admire you for your courage and hope that if I have to stand in the face of cancer I can do as well as you.

Thank you both so much for your input. I intend to go to my doctor and try to get the biopsy scheduled. You both are right, I need to follow my gut on this. I have to be honest, I have not slept well since I saw those masses on my xray. I have an uneasy feeling about it. Hearing from you gives me a calm and steadiness I know I have to have to go in the right direction. Your voice is so encouraging! Please don't stop talking to people and easing their fears.

Thanks so much,
Leisha

I hope it is nothing at all. Good luck with your tests and if you remember, come back to this thread and let us know how it went. Take care!
Karyn

I am SOOOOOO glad that you decided to trust your instinct and listen to the others that encourage to get the biopsy. I am part of a support group for African-American women in NJ and one of the founding members was mis-diagnosed for 3 years and given similar information to what you were given. She died before I was even diagnosed in 2002.

I lost another friend in November who was also part of my support group. She was mis-diagnosed for 1-2 years despite telling them that she knew something was wrong with her breast. They did mammograms and ultra-sounds - I don't know if they ever did a biopsy but they kept saying they couldn't find anything. She changed doctors several times until she found one who went a step further and did tests that found the breast cancer, unfortunately she was diagnosed in stage IV and had a difficult time with several different chemotherapy treatments.

I say all of that to say GET THE BIOPSY and change doctors if you have to. Your life is the most precious gift God gave you. But He also gave you wisdom in the form of common sense and instincts, use them carefully and enjoy life abundantly.

God bless you. Make sure you write back and let us know how you are doing.

Fran

Try not to be scared, but please be informed. My opinion is to go to another doctor, preferably a woman doctor. I was diagnosed in 1996, both my biopsys came back negative and yet I had breast cancer and needed a mastectomy. I decided to have both breasts (against my doctors opinion) removed and when removed they found pre cancer in the normal breast. You have to do everything to protect yourself. I am on my third time with this even though I had both removed. I had the "best" doctor in New York. She wrote a book with Rosie O'Donnell and yet she left a lymph node in that four years later proved to be my original cancer. I had to go through treatment all over again and six months ago because of that lymph node, it has metastisized. I am on treatment every week but feel fine and confident that I will be ok. My point here is do what you think, doctors as good as they are do not always have the answers. If it was their breast, would they sit and wait for six months????I highly doubt it. Seek another doctor, do not rely on needle biopsy because they are not accurate. Even my MRI the second time said "probably benign" and when the lymph node was removed (after I waited four months) my original cancer from 1996 was in it. I know what I am talking about. My sister also had breast cancer and where I live, it seems we could start a club. My friend has a web site called - Stayin Abreast.com. Her name is annie and she is so knowledgable. Go on and get your own information. She is in New York and she was told she did not have breast cancer when all along she had a 7 cm lump in her breast. Get your own info and do not be scared. You will be fine but do not sit back and let some doctor tell you to wait. Waiting does not do anything but make you more anxious. Contact me if you would like.
Good luck
Barbara

I don't understand why so many women have to suffer. My cousin was in her mid forties when she died this year. It was so sad. She was eat up with cancer before the docs caught it.
Sorry about your friend. Life can be so cruel, but so valuable.
My prayers are with you, Leisha