How worried should I be?

[cool_nana]

I am 44 years old, premenopausal, with a history of only a 2nd cousin on my mom's side of breast cancer. 2 years ago,I had a CBE at a health fair where a lump was found in my L breast. I was sent to have a free mammo (no insurance). The report said there was an area in my L breast that needed to be re-evaluated in 6 mos. 9 mos. later, I went to a free clinic, had another CBE, and was signed up on the "Every Woman's Life" program for free breast evaluation. I was sent for a diagnostic mammo and an ultrasound. The radiologist said it was suspicious, and I was sent to a surgeon. That surgeon merely laughed at me, said it was "a lump of fat", refused to do the biopsy the radiologist had requested, and humiliated me. So, I waited another year, lump growing from 2cm to 4 cm. When called back in for my yearly checkup, same thing was found. Once again I was sent for a diagnostic mammo and ultrasound, coming back suspicious. The next AM, I was called from the health dept. saying I needed to see a surgeon again. (I refused the same one). That surgeon was highly concerned and surprised, said it should've been biopsied a long time ago, and I needed an open biopsy. Now I have 2 areas of indentation (lines above and below the tumor), & my nipple is higher than the other. I am being sent in 2 days to the UVA hospital to see a breast surgeon/oncologist. Can anyone help me? Have had this for at least 2 years, and I am sick with worry....Thank you.

[dammie]

You haven't fallen all the way  through yet.  Get the biopsy.  See if you can get the hospital portion paid by medicaid.  Call the admissions department of the hospital and ask them for guidance.  Please, please, please go.  Don't cancel any appointment.  God Bless.

[Marta500]

Please Gooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!

[cool_nana]

Well....I guess I'm taking everyone's advice.  I made another appointment with the local surgeon I saw who told me I needed an open biopsy immediately.  The "Everyone Woman's Life" program will pay the doctor....but not the hospital where he performs it at, therefore, I decided to go back and see him and pay payments if I have to.  Part of me says, "Well, they are specialists and they are probably right"....but part of me just doesn't trust them.  Night before last I dreamed that they called me from UVA and told me that had made a mistake and that I have cancer.  I don't know if that's a sign, or whether my unconscious mind is playing tricks on me....who knows???  I almost called the day before the dream and cancelled the appointment.  Sometimes I think I have become paranoid and obscessed with my breasts. And, something else I forgot to mention.....at UVA they found another lump against the chest wall that she said was "more suspicious" than the other...but yet no biopsy.  My local health dept. called me the other day and asked about my appointment at UVA, and I told her what they said.  She was very upset that they didn't even biopsy it.  She said she would check into it....Just another uninsured American who has fallen through the cracks in healthcare.....

[dammie]

DON'T SETTLE!!!  As was mentioned in the previous postings, the only way to know FOR SURE is to biopsy.  I see that you mentioned insurance is a problem.  Speak to a social worker at the hospital to get guidance as to what financial assistance is available to you.  This is your health and your life.  I am 42 and my doctor also told me not to worry about a lump that kept growing since I had a normal mammo and a normal sono.   I went to a surgeon anyway, and it turned out to be cancer.  This is not to scare you, but to show you that nobody is perfect and a biopsy is so important.  Please don't give up.  It is important to have a continuity of care with your doctors, but if what they are saying does not sit right with you, then it is time to move on.  I know it is not easy and the stress of finding another doctor can be rough, but it is worth it.  My heart breaks for you that a doctor actually humiliated you for something that could be very serious.  Don't let him deter you.  There truly are some wonderful doctors out there.  Keep the faith.  Good luck and God Bless and don't give up!!!!!

[Dixie2]

C5 cool_nana
(10-Oct-04)  . Well, I went to see the specialist at the University of Virginia on Friday, and, as I figured, they decided not to biopsy. They said that they are specialists and do that everyday, and they are reasonably sure it isn't cancer. So goes the story of my life...They want me to continue coming there, however. I have another appointment in 6 months to have it rechecked. They also told me not to go to any other doctors, because part of the problem is my being tossed from doctor, to doctor, to hospital, etc., and that it needs to be handled by them alone. So, thank you for your prayers and concern, and I guess we'll see what happens down the road....


I think you should insist on having a biopsy done,even if you have to go to another doctor or even another state for that matter. Your peace of mind is very important too.  I cannot believe that the doctors at that hospital would tell you NOT to see another doctor. Usually, a doctor will tell you that if you are in doubt, please by all means seek a second opinion. For years the doctor told my niece that she had an inoperable tumor in the base of her brain and it was cancerous.  So, she went through chemo and suffered something awful and reached the point where she could barely walk without stumbling. She went to another doctor that told her that it was not a tumor, but it was a cyst, and that he could drain it.  Well after preparing her he found that he could, indeed, remove the whole thing.  And he did and now she is gaining back her strength and on the road to recovery.  And to boot, she never even had cancer.  So,
please seek a solution to your condition.  Lots of prayers to you.

[cool_nana]

Well, I went to see the specialist at the University of Virginia on Friday, and, as I figured, they decided not to biopsy.  They said that they are specialists and do that everyday, and they are reasonably sure it isn't cancer.  So goes the story of my life...They want me to continue coming there, however.  I have another appointment in 6 months to have it rechecked.  They also told me not to go to any other doctors, because part of the problem is my being tossed from doctor, to doctor, to hospital, etc., and that it needs to be handled by them alone.  So, thank you for your prayers and concern, and I guess we'll see what happens down the road....

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear cool_nana:  The only way to truly know if this is cancer is to proceed with the biopsy.  We hope that your relationship with your current surgeon proves to be better than your first experience.

[susan m k]

I had a very similar experience in 2002.  I was also told by my doctor and the radiologist that they "could tell it wasn't cancer".  Well, guess what - it was!  I also had/have no insurance but was able to qualify for aid through the hospital and in my small community.  I had a double mastectomy, chemo and my life is forever changed....You must be your own advocate - no one will do that as well as you.  Fight for what you need and do lots and lots of research. Yes, the u.s. of a. sucks as far as health care goes.  I voted yesterday and I try to call the white house every day (1 202 456 1111) to give them my two cents!  The richest nation in the world sure doesn't do a good job taking care of it's own!  Vote in November.  Good luck, Susan

[Christie2004]

I can only send hugs and prayers.  No one can tell you for sure what this is until it is biopsied.

If it helps, I had invasive ductal carcinoma at age 35 and just turned 47.  If you need to talk privately, my email is ***@****

Good luck to you, and keep us informed of how things go.

[lizziecee]

Your health service over in the US just sucks ...I live in the Uk where our health service delivers at the point of treatment, - we pay for it all our lives through national insurance payments.  Pity they can't get the eastern european immigrants to pay for it too!  I am just so sick of hearing that folks can't get health care at the point of treatment in the USA.For the richest country in the world, it just defies common sense.
To your problem - it sounds as if you need your lump biopsying immediately. |I live in the UK but have a few friends in the Us - there are programmes/facilities where people with no insurance can go to for diagnosis and help.Go to breastcancercare.org to get some input from your side of the pond.
Love and hugs, Liz.