Breast Density

[wmac]

I posted a while back about a lump and it could not be seen on a mammo or ultra sound. I went to the specialist and she felt a 1cm lump. She said that I have very dense breast and a mammo and ultra sound would do me no good because the density of my breast and a tumor are the same. She told me to come back in two months to recheck it. She also stated that the new digital mammo would be best for me. However conserning my lump she said she was not suspicous of it if she was she would jump right on it. Now my question is how can she tell if its cancer or not just by feeling it if I have dense breast. I have had the lump since june and Im just afraid that if it is something thats a long time without doing nothing. Should I wait the two months or like she said If I was loosing sleep over it to call her and she would do the biopsy. Im not loosing sleep but I am a bit concerned about this. I just dont know how one can really tell the real thing from just lumpy bumps in the breast. She also said the breast cancer only does one thing and that is get bigger. I just dont know what to do im really confused about all this and at kinda of a loss. What makes one have dense breast? Thank you for your time
wmac

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear wmac:  Dense breast tissue is not uncommon, particularly in young premenopausal women.  Mammography can be difficult to interpret in women with dense breast tissue.  Ultrasound uses sound waves to differentiate between solid and cystic (fluid filled) structures.  If a lump can be felt, it usually requires further investigation, starting with a clinical breast examination.  Lumps can feel more or less suspicious based on the characteristics of it.  In the end, though, if you are worried, you should discuss the examination findings with your doctor and consider a biopsy if she has said this is an option.

[wmac]

Well to add to the story I have had the lump since june that I know. Went to the doctor in october for breast pain and he noticed the the lump and ordered the mammo and ultrasound. I waited to go in because I had alot of things going on at the time and it hasnt grown I really wasnt worried till the doc found it I didnt even mention it, but now im sorta worried and im usually a worrier so its been at least six months there.
freaky uh
wmac

[boninclyde]

I would certianly take vermontgirls advice and get a biopsy. Waiting could be disasterous.

[japdip]

I personally don't think a 2 month wait is such a big deal, HOWEVER if you are concerned (even though you say you aren't losing sleep over it) insist on the biopsy. You were given the option so take advantage of it ..... no sense worrying if you can prevent it. Best of luck to you. By the way I had the new digital mammogram recently and I noticed it was much less uncomfortable than the previous type.

[DCarolR]

I found a lump in April, and although I had a mammo and ultrasound done and it was detected, it wasn't until the biopsy was performed that it was confirmed cancer.  I would insist on a biopsy, even though mine wasn't pleasant.  I didn't have the surgery to remove the tumour until August, and thankfully it hadn't grown in size from April. From my experience and for peace of mind, don't wait two months. Good luck to you.

[vermontgirlII]

If I were you, I would have the biopsy.  Breast cancer does more than just get bigger.  It can become invasive, and your best chance of fighting is to catch it early, in case you do have bc, which odds are you don't.  But just in case, please get the biopsy.