breast cancer

[shaz3]

If someone (60 yrs old) notices a lump in their left breast and decides to take no treatment at all,doesn't inform anyone,and over time observe its growth,the lump becomes bigger and bigger,what will happen? The person in question has taken it as god's will.Its already been one year and the lump is quite big now.The person still doesn't want any treatment coz she says she doesn't have any pain or any other problem so why should she go to a doctor.
What happens in such cases?How much time does the person has? Will she have a sudden death and hence painless ?

[iam1butterfly]

With all due respect, the logic of the 60 year old woman in question, reminds me of  the kind of antiquated and backward thinking that cost one of my aunts her life. In 1994, one of my mother's younger sisters noticed what initially appeared as a tiny pimple near the nipple of her breast. As she watched and felt its growth... for nearly a year! ... it grew into a large hardened open sore, which was subsequently diagnosed as an advanced stage of Breast Cancer.

And, her reason for not saying anything about it and seeking medical care for it? "... I'm a virgin... and virgins don't get Breast Cancer!" This woman withstood 10 years of unimaginable pain and agonizing suffering, which could have been avoided had she placed as much faith in the proven miracles of modern day medicine as she did in her misconceived and skewed notions about human biology. I'm absolutely convinced that my aunt would be alive today were it not for her wrongful thinking and her poor decisions. Her advice to me before she died was, " ... always look and listen to what your body is telling you; then use your common sense. Otherwise, you'll wind up like me... a dying fool."

I strongly urge you make every effort possible to convince this woman to have the medical care that she urgently needs. If she truly believes in "God's will" then, she must surely believe that man and medicine are the instruments of God.

[zouzi]

Hi again,
It's so unfortunate and sad when a person decides to give up on life no matter how old or young the person is.
I am sure that you have tried your best to convince her to get treated,but as Japdip said, and I fully agree,that the decision rests upon her and there is nothing anyone can do if that is her wish.
We are hoping that this lump might be benign.. and if not,we are still hoping that she will change her mind and accept to be treated.
We are so sorry that you have to go through this much difficult situation.
Wishing you well to both of you...

[shaz3]

thank you all for ur feedback.
the person has made her mind that she doesn't want to live.she went for the mammography only on much insistence by me.i have been tryin to change her mind for the last 4 months but she is adamant.im very scared for her and now my only concern is that she doesnt have any pain.

[japdip]

Of course most of us here are of the opinion that one should seek treatment ASAP for something that evidently is more likely than not to be malignant. We cannot however say what others may think or the reason for their decisions. I have an idea that this person's Religious beliefs may be a factor in deciding not to seek treatment. I'm wondering though why a person with these beliefs would have seen a Dr. and had a Mammogram in the first place. The only thing I would advise is to remind them that 60 is certainly NOT old by today's standards and that treatment for Breast Cancer (if this is in fact BC) is quite successful in this day and age. It is still possible, though not very likely, that the lump is benign and may do nothing but continue to grow. In the end it is 100% up to each individual how to manage their health care and not for anyone else to say what is or is not best for them.  Kindest regards ....

[zouzi]

Hi,
If the person you are talking about is a family member or a friend,please urge her to see her Doctor who will refer her to a Breast Specialist/Surgeon.
A BIRADS category 5 is "Highly Suggestive of Malignancy " and she needs to get medical attention ASAP...Cancerous tumors are almost always painless...
I really hope that the person you are talking about will seriously consider the danger she is in.God certainly helps,but He also helps those who help themselves.
Cancer treatments nowadays are so advanced and many women survive for many many years this terrible disease.
Please do whatever you can to help this person to take care of her life...
Best wishes ..

[Londres70]

Eventually, this cancer will spread (metastasis) from the breast.  How fast it spreads and how long she will be able to live like this no one knows especially if she not even going to seek medical attention.  No one can tell you if she will die with or without pain; will not know that answer until it happens.  

[shaz3]

sorry again,the mammography says "findings are suggestive of malignant lesion (BIRADS 5) left breast.

[shaz3]

sorry I forgot to mention she did go for a mammography and it said BIRAD 4 and malignant.

[Londres70]

No one will know if this "lump" is benign or malignant without testing, so......cannot say if it will be the cause of her death.