Question About Fibroadenoma

I'm a 24 year old female with no history of cancer in my family on either side. I don't drink or smoke and I try to exercise everyday. That being said, I have major anxiety. -

5 months back I went to my family doctor because I found a lump in my breast. She said she thought it was a fibroadenoma but just to be on the safe side I should get an ultrasound done. I thought the technician was completely cold and uncaring. All she told me was "shouldn't be there" and had "debris". She recommended further looking into it, but I should wait for the doctors results. The doctor said I should come back in a month to be checked again. My mother being a registered nurse contacted my doctor about it and she referred us to a breast specialist. I wasn't waiting a month with that kind of negative feedback!

Well, I went to the specialist and he gave me another ultrasound. To my relief he said it wasn't cancer, it was fibroadenoma. Being there was a smaller one I didn't even feel (which was really weird because I could of sworn before I even went to the doctor that there was a lump in the same spot that was bigger? Could it of shrunk?) and they were both roundish/movable, it further confirmed his diagnosis. He said that I could have it removed if I wanted too which I quickly said no because I'm scared of surgery. He also said that if I ever wanted to have children breast feeding would be difficult.

Anyways, what scared me is that he wanted to see me back in 6 months to have it checked again. Should I be worried about this? If he was sure it wasn't anything to be worried about, why would he want me to be checked again? If it was something more serious, I don't think would of let me go without being checked further that day?

I know I seem crazy with these questions, it's just that the appointment is soon and I'm freaking out again. There's no change, but I still wonder why he wanted me to be checked again. I hardly EVER go to the doctor and I really had to push myself to check this lump. I'm a huge hypochondriac.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Haley

[japdip]

The answer here is quite simple .... Fibroadenomas can grow quite rapidly at times and become very large. The Dr. wants to ck. for growth of these findings. I'm sure it was explained to you that these breast tumors are BENIGN but at times will need to be removed as they can also cause considerable discomfort due to their size.   Regards .....

[LovelyMunster]

I should of questioned that when I was at his office. I was so overwhelmed I even forgot to close my shirt thingy they give you and accidentally flashed the tech when she came back in the room.

Thanks for responding. I figured it was something like that. If I'd have to have it removed, is it serious surgery and long recovery?

[japdip]

Every surgery is not without risk but this I believe would be a rather minor procedure if these findings are quite small. This does not mean that more will not develop of course and they are usually left alone unless they are very painful or become rather large. The growth is monitored usually by Ultrasound possibly every 6 months but if they show little or no growth the re-checks may not be that often. This would be an Outpatient procedure and the recovery period should be rather short. Take care .....

[LovelyMunster]

Thanks so much for the information. You don't know how much you put my mind at ease!

[BadarseBookworm]

I've got the same thing going on as you and have.:) Fibroadenomas are nothing to be scared of, the only thing is that they can feel uncomfortable if they get bigger. However, you may question yourself how they got there? Right? I've talked to some doctors, done some research on my own and have stumbled upon something that can help people with any kind of breast lumps - including cancer.

Note: NOTHING can make you immune to cancer, but there are things that can help you avoid it.

So, breasts lumps and the general health of the breasts are partly related to the levels of oestrogen in your body. Too much of it can cause growths to appear in your breasts and also on your ovaries and uterus.I recommend reading this (http://www.slimforlife.com.au/balancehormones.html) for more information. :)

To overall have a healthy lifestyle will help your body beat abnormalities. :) I can tell you that after I started to eat healthier and start walking at least two hours a week, the size of my fibroadenomas have decreased a lot (20+% smaller) - plus I lost some weight; which is great in many ways. In relation to this it's because fat stores oestrogen. So less fat on your abdomen and you lower your risk of getting these kinds of lumps.

[anne355]

A related discussion, Fibronomas was started.