No pain with breast cancer?

When I had my needle aspiration, the doctor said she wasn't worried about breast cancer because breast cancer isn't painful. Is that true? I have been in pain with Mastitis and stuff found in a duct and awaiting results.

[jenmom]

That is what I have heard and been told by my doctor as well. If it hurts, it's not likely to be cancer. I hope your results come back negative and they can get the mastitis under control for you.

[japdip]

Beast cancer is rarely associated with pain with the exception of Inflammatory Breast Cancer. This type of cancer has several very evident symptoms in addition to the pain.

[SueYoung55]

I had pain in my breast for years. Then again, when the mass is 10 cm and the skin is trying to cope with the growth, it makes perfect sense that it would hurt. (invasive lobular carcinoma) They told me that breast cancer didn't hurt, too. They were wrong in my instance.

My cancer is one of the 15% of breast cancers that doesn't show on a mammogram.

Best of luck!

[momelke]

Wow, you adjusted my thinking a bit! I thought all cancers would show up on a mammogram. I guess I need to educate myself a bit more. :)

The results of the needle aspiration came back negative! YEA! Now I have a really bad rash on top of right breast (same one aspirated). The prescription strength Cortisone ointment (2%) so far has not helped.

I originally had mammogram (abnormal results), ultrasound-where they found a lot of debris in a milk duct and did an aspiration-drawing only a little out. However, they are not going to aspirate the rest of the stuff out of the duct stating that all of us have stuff in the ducts. I'm still in pain and now have the rash.

Because of my family history, I'll be getting the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic test next month.

[SueYoung55]

Sorry about the rash.

I didn't know that some cancers couldn't be seen on mammogram either. I found out the hard way. Mine couldn't be seen and you couldn't feel it either. I would recommend digital mammograms though when it's time for you to go for your next one, especially if you have issues or dense breasts followed by an ultra sound. The best test is a breast MRI but it's so expensive and insurance companies get icky about it.

I also had the BRCA1 & BRCA2 testing. Our cancer is not genetically pre-disposed. However, our family history of breast cancer (myself, maternal aunt, maternal great aunt) and ovarian cancer (maternal grandmother) screams pretty loud to all of my extended family. We know what our odds are.

Best of luck and stay healthy!