Fibroadenoma vs malignant?

[Lara650]

I had a mammo & u/s show a small growth (smaller than 1 cm) 7 mos ago.  They offered to biopsy and I declined, wanted to monitor it.  In f/u mammo & u/s, it is still there, near armpit, has grown just over 1 mm.  It looks suspect, it is "probably" a fibroadenoma.  Again, they offered to biopsy it today and I declined, have f/u in 5 mos.
I thought if it were malignant, it would have grown more rapidly (thus my confidence today) and am learning in research that it is a fibroadenoma that would have grown quickly this year.  Have I made a mistake?  Should I have it biopsied?  I am 40 yrs old, never pregnant, healthy, overachiever, BC runs in family, don't want to make a mistake in thinking it would have grown more rapidly therefore no concern?  Should I have it biopsied?

[peekawho]

You can't make generalities by reading other womens' stories, but I will tell you that I had a mammogram (my first one, as a matter of fact), that showed a cluster of microcalcifications that were judged to probably be a fibroadenoma.  A biopsy was not recommended, as I was young (35) and had no family history.  I had no palpable lump.

I decided on a biopsy anyway (I tend to be a worrier about these things).  I had microinvasive ductal carcinoma.  

This was 16 years ago.  

A biopsy is a simple procedure.  Breast cancer is a disease that often begins the metastatic process very early in the course of the disease.  Prompt diagnosis and treatment could be vital to you.

If a biopsy was recommended to you, I highly encourage you to think about it strongly.   Of course, I hope it is simply a fibroadenoma, and it certainly could be.   Have they talked about a needle biopsy at all?  If you don't want an excisional biopsy (where the entire suspect area is removed and studied), a needle biopsy may give you some good information.

Best wishes,

Peek

[Jvagnozzi]

It is a common myth that breast cancer will spread if cut into.  There is no research that supports this.  It is true for other cancers, such as ovarian cancer.  I was 39 when I was diagnosed.  Breast cancer runs in my family too.  I have four years of survival under my belt now and I feel better than ever.  It could have been a different story if I waited.  The day I found it, I called the doctor and kept the ball rolling all the way through biopsy, diagnosis, treatment, and surgery.  The biospy is so minimally invasive that there is no reason to delay knowing for sure.  Even if you have to do this 5 or 6 times in your life time.  You are worth it.    

[Lara650]

I already have had a biopsy on the other breast ( I am extremely dense) and they left a clip and I read somewhere that to "cut" into when doing a biopsy, that if it were cancerous, it is literally letting the cancer cells "unleash" into your body, so if it is cancerous, I dont know.  I suppose I should have it biopsied?  I just hate to have to have biopsies every time I get a routine mammo (due to the denseness and I should think I will have MANY fibroadenomas).

Thoughts?

[loomislady40]

We are the same age and same and I too have never been pregnant.  Overall I'm healthy I train for marathons, run at leat 3 in a year and do a 1/2 marathon once a month.  I just got back from the doctor and I have what you do however my fibroadenoma is a little larger than yours just 2 cm in size.  I will be having a biopsy in a week and I'm going through with this just to make sure everything is ok, you can never be too safe.  At least this will put my worries to rest.  My question to you is why are you reluctant to have the biopsy?  Especially with BC in the family?  I don't understand.  I'm just curious and if it's none of my business then I understand.