What is next?

[feisty2008]

I am 32 years old, with no history of breast cancer in my family.  I recently was having some breast pain and discomfort.  I went and had a mammogram done in February 2008 and just had another one done on this past Tuesday.  It showed an area of concern in my right breast.  I am waiting for the doctors to look at a comparison between the two to see if there are any changes.  The thing that concerns me is the most is that when I was 16 years old I had a tumor removed from my left breast, it was benign, but it was was great enough size to have it removed.  I was told then by the surgeon that I should have a mammogram done at the age of 25.  Well that did not happen because I was told that I was to young to have a mammogram.  I even told the nurse that my doctor recommend it because I was so young when I had this tumor removed.  Now here I am 32 and I am going thru these changes with my breast.  Right now it is a wait to see. Inspite of what the two films show, I will still have to have another mammogram done in 6 months to see if there are any more changes.  I know that the recommend age for a mammogram is 40 years of age.  But it seems to me that it should be looked at because women younger than 40 need to be tested as well.

[Mukenhimer]

Hi Feisty,

I'm a 30 year old female who was just diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2008.  I know the previous post DOES have correct information; however, my thoughts have changed based on my own experience.  I had a routine physical exam in September 2007 and during the breast exam, my MD stated "Ooh, nice breast cyst you have there" and pointed it out to me.  I'd never noticed it before.  Since she was so cavalier and non-chalant about it I figured, it's obviously a cyst!  After that, I noticed it started hurting during my cycles (they always say pain means no cancer) so I figured, definitely a cyst.  Especially considering my age, the frequency of cystic breasts in women, and the fact that I had NO family history.  Then in May 2008 I realized it had grown and was now making the skin on my breast dimple.  Well, I called the original doctor who noticed it an she ordered a mammogram and ultrasound STAT!  That was Tuesday, by Thursday I was a cancer patient.  

Now, the shoulda, woulda, coulda's of my story are numerous!  Basically what I've learned is that peace of mind is priceless and NEVER assume anything about your own body.  It's no skin off their teeth to order an ultrasound or biopsy and it'll probably ultimately save time because it seems like they're consistently watching it.  I would ask if it would be possible to just have a fine needle aspiration or an ultrasound because this is freaking you out!!!  All the doctor has to do is write the order!  

P.S.  I COMPLETELY AGREE THAT MAMMO'S BEFORE AGE 40 BE MANDATORY!!!

[Cleveland Clinic]

Dear fiesty2008, Breast pain is a common breast symptom.  The reason for breast pain is not clearly understood, and is not usually associated with breast cancer.  Breast pain is sometimes associated with hormonal variations and is then called cyclical breast pain.  Noncyclical breast pain does not seem to be linked to hormonal variations and is often localized to one area of the breast tissue.  Noncyclical breast pain may or may not be the result of an injury to the breast.  

Mammography is just PART of breast cancer screening.  One reason for waiting to do a mammogram for routine screening till after 40 is that the breast tissue in younger women is more dense (less fatty) which often makes interpreting results difficult.  This doesn’t mean that in certain situations a mammogram might be appropriate and helpful in a younger person, but that is something that would be determined on an individual basis.   You should discuss your pathology findings from the original biopsy at age 16 with your surgeon and primary doctor to see if they would change your recommendations for breast cancer screening in general.