Life Long Lump in Breast

I had my first mammogram, which was followed by an ultra sound - I have always been told I have lumpy breast - no big deal - the ultra sound, according to the doctor, showed that this long time lump I have, that has caused me no concern, looks very cancerous and we are going to biopsy it - could I have been walking around with breast cancern for the last 15 - 20 years?

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear life-long lump:  One of the major features of any cancer, including breast, is that the cells lose the ability to control their own growth.  In general, this means that cancers do not stay the same size - they grow.  You might ask the doctor to explain the features on the ultrasound and mammogram that are making him/her suspicious.  It may be that the lump you feel is not the same as the area of concern.