what are the signs to worry about?

[reenie62]

im a 46 yr old mother. ive been having some leaking since last summer, and it even got pretty sore, and i thouhgt it was some kind of cold in it, so i went to the e.r. here in my area, and they told me to get a mamogram. because by checking ,they did find a soft lump, but i couldnt finish goin because i had found my insurance was stopped, but now its back on. do you get stinging in your breasts at times along with the leaking? ive been gettin small stinging pains in the one thats been leaking, but now recntly its starting to sting in the other one ,too. i have a history of family having breast cancer. my mom had a whole mastectomy on her one breast, had to go thru chemo. and had lymphnodes taken out too along withthe breast. bot hmy grandmothers have had it too.. both my moms the only one alive yet.. can you tell me what i should do first? thank you reenie

[japdip]

The pain and leaking may or may not be related to the lump that was felt when you went to the ER. First ... get that Mammogram !! whether you are insured or not; usually there is help avaiable for uner or un-insured women thru the Susan G. Komen Foundation or thru the Amer. Cancer Society or your local Health Dept. A breast lump should NEVER be ignored due to lack of insurance or funds. Please arrange to have that Mammogram done as soon as possible.

[PaulMD]

Hi there.

It is very hard to tell just by the presence of the discharge or the pain, if this lump is indeed malignant or not. Given your strong family history of breast cancer, it is best that this lump and discharge be evaluated thoroughly.  First, a mammogram should be done to assess the characteristics of the lump, and also possibly point out sites suitable for biopsy.  Ultimately a biopsy of the lump may be done in order to ascertain the nature of the lump.