TERRIFIED beyond belief

My mom went for a physical yesterday and her doctor said she had a "fibrous mass" in her left breast. She is going in for her annual mammogram on Tuesday. She's had annual mammograms regularly for 15+ years and nothing has ever shown up.

My mom has never had fibrocystic breasts or anything like that before. She is 66 and has been on HRT for many years (very low dose). I felt the lump today and it feels like an oval, in between squishy and hard, and it's on the left side of her left breast. I can't tell if it's movable or not. The strange thing is back in October of last year when she went in for her annual Pap, her Gynecologist didn't feel anything (and never had). She also does weekly exams in the shower and never noticed this lump. So basically this lump shpwed up in a 4 month span. I don't understand??

We are very, very close. She's all I have. I am so terrified I can't see straight.  I don't know what breast cancer lumps feel like, so I can't seem to get any relief and/or calm down until Tuesday. Can someone offer some advice or encouragement? Thanks.

[japdip]

Fibroadenoma is a benign breast tumor. These are often left alone or can be removed surgically. After her mammogram a biopsy may be recommended to be 100% certain as to the nature of this mass. I think you would be more help to your Mother if you would calm down and take things one step at a time. This may not even be a Fibroadenoma; could be just fibrous breast tissue .... dense breasts tend to have a lumpy "feel" and this often increases as we age.   RELAX ...  and keep us posted when your Mom gets her mammogram results.    Regards ....

[stc34]

Japdip,

Do women over 60 get fibrous breast tissue/fibroadenomas/cysts? Everything I read on-line about breast lumps said that all women over 60 should expect ANY lump to be cancerous (only younger women get cysts, fibrous tissue, etc). It's strange because she's NEVER had lumps or masses. 4 months ago when she had her Pap, her gynecologist felt no lumps/masses. She gets annual mammograms every February and nothing showed up in Feb. 2008. The lump felt kinda soft and possibly a bit movable.

Is it the consensus here that women should think about stopping HRT after many years? She's been on HRT (Estrace) for 15+ years. Thanks!

[lizzy100]

i havent read anywhere that you should expect any lump to be cancerous in any age group! fibroademas and cycts can occur at any age, (although are more LIKELY in younger women). do u have a family history of breast cancer? if not it is probably more likely to be a benign problem.
im sure ur mums worried enough, so u need to be the rational one who says its unlikely to be cancer, its prob nothing serious, and dont make her more worried. if it were to be malignant then hopefully uv caught it quite early with all the clear tests previous. quite often women have never had any previous lumps or masses! these things just suddenly happn.

[stc34]

lizzy,

My mom's sister and mother had breast cancer. My aunt was in her 50s and my grandmother was in her 80s. My aunt's was found on a mammogram as calcifications. My grandmother had a golf ball sized tumor removed. None of it spread. They were estrogen related, or something like that.

Does anyone know what a cancerous tumor feels like? I read that they're hard with irregular borders. Is this true?

Also, how can I prepare myself in the event I have to "hit the ground running?" Thanks.

[japdip]

That is NOT true; a woman of any age can develop a Fibroadenoma and breasts tend to become more dense (fibrous) as we age. As for HRT, this was proven several years ago .... there has been a decrease in breast cancer since HRT has stopped being prescribed the way it was years ago. The rule of thumb now is the lowest dose possible for the shortest time but none is even better. This was a huge discovery and one of the first known to prevent many cases of breast cancer. HRT is a bad thing .... I would certainly recommend stopping it as many women have in the past few years. It's rarely prescribed these days.

[japdip]

That is NOT true; a woman of any age can develop a Fibroadenoma and breasts tend to become more dense (fibrous) as we age. As for HRT, this was proven several years ago .... there has been a decrease in breast cancer since HRT has stopped being prescribed the way it was years ago. The rule of thumb now is the lowest dose possible for the shortest time but none is even better. This was a huge discovery and one of the first known to prevent many cases of breast cancer. HRT is a bad thing .... I would certainly recommend stopping it as many women have in the past few years. It's rarely prescribed these days.

[RITZGAL]

Hi,
I'm 62.  I developed a cyst two years ago.  Still have it.  Its about the size of a grape.  In the other breast, I have developed about 7 smaller cysts over the last year.  Hang in there.  It does no good to worry over speculattion.   Soon you will have all your answers.  Like the lady said earlier, be strong for your mom.  I'm sure she appreciates how much you care, but she needs your support and encouragement right now.

[katarina777]

I think you have good reasons to be worried, 'Worry; is usually balanced out. So, with you more worried, your mom will likely be less worried.

[Ann1953]

Just as to the HRT issue, I definitely would say that she should stop that immediately.  I had stage 2 breast cancer with no family history, not a smoker, drinker, etc. and my oncologist said that he has seen a significant rise in breast cancer which he attributes directly to HRT use.  I used it (a very low dose) for 5 years.  Good luck and my prayers for your mom and you.