Should I push for a biopsy?

I am 34 years old and I had a mammogram 4 months ago because I found a lump in my breast and was experiencing breast pain.  I was a little relieved that I had pain because I've always been told that pain is a good sing.  Anyway -the mammogram showed something (a different area from the lump I found) so they took me back in the room to get another picture of my right breast.  After the film was reviewed they took me back to do an ultrasound -when they left the room for me to get dressed I could see the place that they found because they left the ultrasound pictures on the screen -it was pretty small.  They sent me a letter stating it was a stage 2 finding (something like 98% that it was benign).  It was small 5cm and I was relieved.  They requested a 3 mo follow up and so I went back 4 mo later and had a repeat ultrasound -I am still having pain.  Again they left the pictures on the ultrasound screen and I took pictures with my iphone this time.  It seemed bigger and then I noticed a place on the screen that said it was 7cm which worried me because last time it was 5cm -it grew 2 cm in 4 mo I have no idea what that means but it worried me.  I got a call from the breast center today and they stated that everything was fine and they wanted to see me back in 6mo to do another follow-up to ensure stability.  I asked the nurse if there were ANY changes at all and she said no.  Now being that I saw both scans and I know there was a change  I have lost trust in them because I know she lied to me.  The bottom line is that I am scared and I don't know where to go from here.  Should I see my regular doctor and demand that they do a biopsy or is 7cm nothing to worry about?

Just so you know a little of my history and why I am so worried --my maternal and paternal grandmothers had breast cancer, as did my paternal great grandmother.  My maternal great grandmother had cervical cancer.  My paternal grandmother had to INSIST on a biopsy as she was assured that her breast condition was just a cyst only to find out after the biopsy that it was indeed cancer and she ended up having to have a double masectomy.

[bluebutterfly2222]

Your prescribing doctor should have received copies of the radiologist's full reports on all of the imaging that has been done, and that is the person who would normally explain the results  and recommendations to you. If you still have concerns after that discussion, you could as for a referral to a breast specialist, and take copies of the actual images with you.

7 cm might not be a concern for a benign finding if you have large breasts, but would be quite large for a  malignant tumor. (It translates to over 2 and 1/2 inches-- unless it was actually 0.7 cm?)

Best wishes...

[iam1butterfly]

I can well understand and relate to your concern... especially, when there's significant family history of Cancer. I am a little surprised that a biopsy wasn't mentioned as an option. Perhaps, based on clinical experience, the changes in the lump don't appear to be alarming to the radiologist and/or the technician. But, as bluebutterfly stated, the specifics of the diagnostics is something that is best explained in more detail with your doctor. Express your worries and concerns, including your family history of Breast Cancer, and discuss what your options might be... if you're uneasy about the 6 month wait, then convey that to your doctor and ask for a referral to have a surgeon perform a biopsy. Take care!

[SueYoung55]

I always request my films after tests are done and I keep them in my airconditioned home. Please know that you have the right to have your films and reports and you have EVERY right to take them to another radiologist for a second opinion.

Best wishes.