breast cancer help

ge 50, have found large hard lump in outer side of right breast. I am having such a terrible time dealing with this. I am so afraid to go the doctor. I think I have lost it mentally. I know what I should do but fear has frozen me. Does breast cancer kill or is it the treatments that kill. I'm totally irrational. Can they do anything for stage 4 patients. That's one fear is that it is already too late. If a lump is that large, hasn't it been there for abuot 10 years. Is there any antianxiety medications that would help. Please help me.

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear niki:  A large lump is not necessarily cancer.  If it is cancer, it does not mean that it has been there a long time or that it is stage 4.  It is very important that you go to your doctor.  That way, the source of the lump can be determined and you can move on.  If it is not cancer, your nerves will instantly be at ease.  If it is cancer, statistics show that even women with large lumps can do very well with treatment (live for years and possibly even achieve a cure).  Your doctor may be able to prescribe some anti-anxiety medication to help you get through the process.

[dannrose]

Niki,
Please go to the doctor.  When I was first diagnosed, I was so scared.  I read alot about breast cancer and the more I read, the more scared I became.  But now, it does not seem so scary.  I am Stage IIA.  I went into a major depression six months after I was diagnosed.  My doctor put me on Celexa and it has made all the difference in the world.  I will be praying for you.

[sandie]

IF THERE IS ANYONE OUT THERE CONCERNED ABOUT A LUMP OR RASH ON THEIR BREAST, PLEASE HAVE IT CHECKED OUT.  I WENT FAITHFULLY EVERY YEAR FOR A MAMMOGRAM AND THEN FOUR YEARS AGO I WAS DIANOSED WITH BREAST CANCER.  THE TUMOR WAS 3 CENTEMETERS AND WAS CONSIDERED VERY LARGE JUST FROM ONE YEAR.  A BREAST EXAMINE WOULD NEVER HAVE FOUND IT.  IT WAS ONLY THROUGH A MAMMOGRAM THAT IT WAD FOUND BECAUSE IT WAS SO DEEP.  SO PEASE DON'T JUST RELY ON SELF EXAMINES.  GO GET A TEST EVERY YEAR.  I HAVE 3 OLDER SISTERS THAT HAVE ALL HAD LUMPS REMOVED FROM THEIR BREAST BEFORE MY BREAST CANCER.  I NEVER WOULD'VE DREAMED THAT I WOULD BE THE ONE TO GET THE CANCER. BUT I DID. I HAD A MASTECTOMY AND I'M ALMOST FIVE YEARS CANCER FREE.  THANK'S TO THE LORD. HE WAS MY HOPE AND PEACE AND HEALER.