Node in upper/outer left breast

Last year I had to update my family history with my GYN because I had recently found out that a first cousin that is less than a year older than my 32 yrs old( the age I was at the time) had a double mastectomy. Although my doctor did not find anything in the breast exam and I hadn't found anything when I did self exams, she thought I should get a baseline mammogram. The nurse told me that it isn't unusual for something to show up on the first one. Well, they found a nodule in the upper/outer part of my left breast. So I went back for a 6 month follow up, and it's still there, about 4mm in size, it looks like it hasn't changed in size. They "think" it is just a lymph node growing outside the breast tissue and have scheduled another mammogram in another 6 months. I still can't feel it.  Should I get a second opinion? Should I see a surgeon? I haven't had an ultrasound done, should I insist on having one done? Should I just not stress about anything until my next exam, and hope nothing has changed?


This discussion is related to Breast Cyst and Nodule.

[japdip]

I don't see any reason for any additional films ... the nodule was seen without difficulty on the Mammogram so you know it's there and I'm not surprised that you can't feel it ... 4mm is very small. The increased risk is usually only if 1st degree relatives have been diagnosed with BC so a cousin wouldn't be considered as much of an increase in your risk. If you aren't comfortable with your present Dr.s opinion then by all means see a Breast Specialist (not necessarily a Surgeon) for another opinion and any further testing they might think appropriate. A mammary lymph node is not usually a cause for concern and if it is a lymph node evidently it is stable but don't expect it to go away. Regards .....