A scared 27 year old

[JennyK]

I am a 27 year old women in otherwise wonderful health. Five years ago I had two fibroadenomas removed from my right breast. I recently began to experience some pain in the same breast and after visiting my doctor was sent for an ultrasound and mammagram. After those were reviewed the radiologist noted several new cysts which he recommended I have aspirated for further analysis. I have several concerns and questions. 1. Is this something that could be indicative of my potential to have breast cancer at a later point in life? 2. How often do women my age experience cysts? 3. I had a horrible experience with my first surgery (the local anesthesia was not placed in the right location the first time around so I was able to feel the surgeon cutting me...) and as a result am somewhat panicked about the aspiration procedure. Any advice for how to relax? 4. Is there anything I could be doing to improve my overall breast health? 5. I plan to have a family at some point in my life and I would very much like to breast feed my children. Is there any potential that my previous surgery OR this aspiration procedure could make that difficult? 6. Could anyone refer me to a web site or chat room that might be able to offer me further support from women my age who are experiencing these kinds of things... Thank you for any and all of your advice. Peace.

[CCF-RN,MSN-JS]

Dear JennyK, 1. Presence of cysts/fibroadenomas is not a risk factor for developing breast cancer, however the occurrence of these need to evaluated to be sure they are cysts or fibroadenomas.  2. The occurrence of cysts varies some women are more prone to them, some women will get one and not get any more.  3. Prior to the procedure make sure your doctor is aware of your prior experience and your fears, ask what to expect, most will try to make the procedure as comfortable as possible and try to ease your fears. 4. If you are asking how to prevent the cysts from recurring, there is not a simple answer, some recommend avoiding caffeine.  Obesity with excess caloric and fat intake, is a risk factor for developing breast cancer, so lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise to maintain a healthy weight are recommended.  5. There shouldn't be a problem with these procedures interfering with your ability to breast feed future children but you should pose this question to your doctor who would have more information about the particulars of your situation and the procedures being done or have been done.  6.  I'll leave that open to others comments - if they have found sites (other than this one) available that are what you might be looking for.

[ritavv]

I had a fibroadenoma at age 18 and had many cysts starting in my late 20s.  I breast fed my son at age 27 with no problems.  I had many cysts aspirated in my 30s.  It's only a simple needle inserted into it and they draw out the fluid.  The main problem with the cysts is it makes it more difficult to feel a "new lump" in a self breast exam.  I was told by doctors that there was no relationship between fibrocystic disease and breast cancer.  At age 50 I was diagnosed with breast cancer.  Because of my regular checkups with the cysts, it was caught early.  So in one way I benefited.  Good luck.

[Karina]

I have had many cysts aspirated. Nothing to worry about. Just a tiny needle ***** you hardly feel. The liquid is sent for a routine biopsy. They are almost always negative.  

You can look for someone to chat with right here on this site.  I met a wonderful lady here some years ago and we have become great friends.  Good luck!

[Isissydney]

I'm a scared 27 year old too. I had a fibroadenoma removed 2 months ago. We didn't have a clear picture on the sonogram and I have a very wide family history of breast cancer. I'm going to the breast surgeon tomorrow for evaluation of a lump in the same breast. It's amazing to me that something could grow so fast, as my gyn feels it's not a cyst. I am scared and hate this! I will pray for everyone that has to go through this. I wouldn't wish it on anyone, but it's a comfort to have this forum to know I'm not alone!

[vermontgirl]

If you are truly panicked about having a biopsy, you can certainly explain your feelings to you doctor and ask if he could prescribe Valium or some other type of medication to get you through the biopsy.  In such an event, you would definitely someone to drive you home after the procedure.  My experience has been that if I start to feel any pain during a biopsy, whether it be fine-needle aspiration or excision, my surgeon wants to know and will immediately inject more numbing medication to take care of it.  They are not sadistic and don't want their patients to hurt either physically or mentally.  Don't be afraid to speak up!!!

[Duckettgirl]

your in my prayers!

[POPro]

I am 47, in August I felt a lump that was rigid in my left breast. Went to a surgical oncologist, he was sure all i needed was to have the lump aspirated.  Well, that was done, and never heard from him after that, figuring no news is good news. A month and a half later I returned my call to his office for an appointment because the lump was still there and I was concerned. He again wanted to just "aspirate" the lump. I insisted he take it out. he stated to me, "I will take it out but it may come back."  told this nut, "I will take my chances."
Well, he took it out. I now have invasive ductal carcinoma with in-situ carcinoma. Have gone through 2 surgeries since 11/14, and will be undergoing chemo and radiation in the very near future. Insist on any surgeon does a tissue biopsy not just an aspiration. They may draw the fluid from the clean area of the growth missing anything that my be dangerous. Not all of a lump or tumor has to be cancerous. If only a few centimeters are, thats a few too many, and chances are the surgeon will miss it with a simply aspiration. Good luck, and my thoughts are with you.

[jso]

I was told last tues (12/10) after a routine mammo and US that I have 3 complex, inspisated cysts. I'm 31. I guess this means he's not sure they are cysts so he wants me to have them aspirated/biopsied. My sister who is 35 and has metastatic breast cancer is my own family history so I am freaking out. Has anyone ever heard of this inspisated cyst business. From what I've read... they can tell cysts from solid on US, but I'm terrified!

[camden1]

Hi jennyk,
I was 28 last year when I was diagnosed with Ductal Carcinoma In Situ, an early stage of breast cancer.  I don't know what might have happened with you since you wrote, but I pray that all turned out benign and that's that.  But I wanted to give you the link of a wonderful organization that is specifically for young women with breast cancer (or concerns about breast cancer).  http://www.youngsurvival.org   I have been a member since my diagnosis, and they have all sorts of resources, including a message board with a wide range of topics that us young women are concerned about.  There is also a long list of survivor stories (mine is there, too!) that you will find encouraging and inspiring.  
I wish you the best and hope that your scare is over.  
Cam

[Tabitha29]

I was 27 when i found my first lump.  I was mad with panic.  I quit smoking that same day and practically kissed my breast goodbye.  I didn't want to break up the twins yanno? I went to the dr and was told it was probably just a cyst that needed to be drained and was sent to the hospital for an ultrasound.  When the technician said it wasn't fluid filled i paniced even more.  They sent me straight in to get a mammogram and sent me home.  I got a call a few weeks later saying that they wanted to do a biopsy because the mammogram didnt come back conclusive one way or the other as to the nature of what the lump was.  The biopsy was done with a needle and was relatively painless.  The dr called me back a couple weeks later and said it was intracanalicular fibroadenoma and that it would probably shrink on its own once it reached 2 cm.  i was extremely skeptical but lo and behold it shrunk.  
Now it's 2 years later and the lump is back.. that is if it is the same lump.  Same general area as the first one but this one is bigger.
Is it normal for these things to just shrink away to nothing and then come back? Is this indicative of what i have to go through in the future; recurring lumps?  I have had a cyst (fibrous and solid) removed from my labia majora as well.  Are these two things related?

[rr12]

A related discussion, fibro was started.