On 11/3/2008
GailEngland wrote:
Hi I was the caregiver along with my Mother for my precious Dad who passed away in May 08 after an horrendous battle with stomach Cancer . Our stress levels, as many of you will know hit the roof many times.
I am 44 years old and recently found a lump in my left breast, I have been to the specialist breast unit and they said they thought the lump was ok but wanted to do a fine needle aspiration . I was told to return just to get the results. When I got there I was told to undress from the waist up. I thought it rather strange , so I asked what was wrong. I was told I needed a core biopsy done under ultra sound. What does this mean ? Are they airing on the side of caution. My friend who also had a lump had fine needle aspiration and was told that they would send her results in the post. I know I shoudn't worry yet but I re live the day my Dad got told he had cancer over and over again.
I need to get a grip on this situation so was just wondering if anyone else had experienced a similar situation. I know they say 80 % of lumps end up being benign.
My lump is a moveable lump but quite big.
Thanks for listening.
Gail
Hi Gail,
Sometimes lumps are difficult to biopsy by needle aspiration, even if they are quite large, and especially if they are movable. Tumors can have a very thick protein layer surrounding them that is hard to puncture. A movable lump can slide away from the needle. It sounds like the radiologist or pathologist is not sure they got a good biopsy, or there is something suspicious in the results of the needle biopsy that they want to confirm. Doing it under ultrasound helps to confirm that they actually locate and biopsy the lump instead of surrounding tissue.
Am unsure from your message whether you already had the core biopsy or not (sounds like you did??) If not, make sure to take something for pain before the biopsy, and make sure you have someone to drive you home - core biopsies are much more painful than needle biopsies.
Sit down and write up a list of questions you have, take it with you to the dr's office when you go to get the results of the core biopsy. Take extra paper and something to write with so you can make notes if the biopsy showed cancer, or if they tell you that they want to keep an eye on this thing. Best if you have someone else go with you, and have them take the notes - it can be really hard to take everything in when you get bad news, and it's really easy to forget what the dr says. Also, if you aren't understanding what the dr is talking about, tell him/her right then and there. And persist until you feel you understand - sometimes drs don't want to take the time to explain things in down-to-earth nitty-gritty terms, but that's what you need right now, and that's what you are paying them for.
I am hoping for you that this lump is benign. But I want you to know that if it isn't, having breast cancer is not the end of the world. Yes, it's very scary, especially since you lost your father so recently. But one of the best ways to beat fear is to become informed. So, if this is cancer, do some homework. Start a file folder for treatment. Get a written copy of the biopsy so that you will know exactly what kind of cancer you have, and you can start learning about it online and through reference books. Also get written copies of lab reports, scans - anything you have done. (If you have scans, also very helpful to request a CD of the scan - that way if you ever need to go for a 2nd opinion or switch docs for some reason, you already have the scans for them to look at - just make sure they give you the cd's back.) Keep track of treatments in your file, also. What medications you are given, doses, dates, and any side effects of reactions. Keeping track like this will help you feel like YOU are in control.
That is the other thing that is important: YOU are in control. Not the drs, not your family. YOU are the one who will ultimately make major decisions. All the more reason to become informed. Don't let anyone pressure for a decision until you feel you understand the situation and the options, and have time to make a decision with which you are most comfortable. Even if that means you have to leave a dr's office, think about things, and go back.
If this is something for which you need treatment, consider complementary and/or alternative medicine/treatments. There are foods/herbs/and supplements that can work to increase the effectiveness of surgery/chemo/radiation as well as decrease side effects. Many naturals also work to slow or stop cancer growth, as well as actually killing cancer cells themselves.
If you find out that you need treatment, take a look at these sites:
www.cancertutor.com
www.lefcancer.org
www.alkalizeforhealth.net
http://www.alternativecancer.us
Regardless of whether this is malignant or benign, I recommend you get "Dr Susan Love's Breast Book" 4th edition, by Dr Susan Love. This is considered by many women to be the "bible" for breast health and treatment. It is a most comprehensive and excellent resource for understanding not only how to achieve and maintain breast health, but for understanding how hormones affect women's lives, things that we can do for mental and emotional health, and where to look for support when needed.
Please let us know how things turn out. If you get not such a good report, then we will try to support you as you move into a trying time of life. And if the report is benign, we will all be thrilled to do the happy dance with you!
Sincerely,
Tre