Breast Lump - Boise,ID

Updated on September 30, 2013
G.B. asks from Boise, ID
16 answers

If there is a quarter sized lump in the breast, do they still do a mamo? Im assuming not. What do they do after that? I put a small hair pick in my bra and it would jab me and that is where the lump formed. I have no other symptoms. but I do have swollen ankles. What are breast cancer symptoms? Will they remove the breast or part of the breast without you doing the chemo/radiation? I will NOT do chemo and such.

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.M.

answers from San Francisco on

You need to go to a competent doctor and take his/her advice. Find a doctor you trust, and then trust his/her recommendation.

I hope you will at least do radiation, if that is recommended. The outcomes were not good for people I know who refused the recommended treatment.

If the lump is from a hair pick, it's probably nothing. But you need to see a dr.

3 moms found this helpful

More Answers

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

I know this is scary for you.

Before you jump to conclusions of cancer, keep in mind that you can have lumps that come and go that are not cancerous and can be treated by your diet.

Yes, they will do a mammo and possibly a biopsy to rule out cancer. At that point, you are given options of treatment.

I did have a lump, once, that was about pea sized and it scared the he$$ out of me. It turned out to be a cyst and at the time, I was having a lot of caffeine. I cut all caffeine out of my diet and I've never had another issue.

In the worst case scenario (my friend went through it), you are given options for treatments which do include the chemo, radiation, complete or partial removal.

Please call your Dr., and continue regular mammograms to ensure your health!

9 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.R.

answers from Washington DC on

Any responsible doctor is going to order a mammogram for what you describe, I think. There is nothing to fear. They do not hurt like they once did (if the radiology office that does it has newer equipment). Yes, they are not comfortable but they are not as hard as they once were.

A "quarter-sized lump" is really very large. Even a lump the size of a small pea would get a doctor concerned. Although you are pretty sure that it was an outside irritant that caused this lump, it's well worth getting a full exam and a mammogram. This could be a cyst that's formed where your breast was being constantly irritated by the hair pick and the cyst might need to be lanced or removed, or the doctor might have other treatments too. Don't let your mind make the huge, huge leap to "I won't do chemo!" right away. You are a long way from anyone telling you that you even need chemo.

Breast cancer often has NO symptoms other than a lump - it can be a silent killer. It is not painful, with one exception, my doctor tells me. The exception is inflammatory breast cancer, which has a rash but which is very advanced and requires immediate and serious treatment.

Please get checked. It sounds from the post as if you are scared by the idea of a mammogram and terrified about treatments. Please realize that doctors and radiologists are there to help you -- and this may well NOT be cancerous, but you need to find out and proceed from there. I have had lots of scares with lumps due to have fibrous breasts (not cancerous) so I really do know how scary it is for you, but please, see your doctor now so you can rule out anything serious or start to deal with it if there really is any problem.

7 moms found this helpful

P.W.

answers from Dallas on

This could be a cyst. I have read that only 20% of breast lumps are cancer. You are thinking way too much.

Go see your doctor and let him/her start an evaluation. They may decide you should cut out caffeine for a few weeks to see if it shrinks. They may decide to stick a little needle in to take some fluid to evaluate it. They may decide to do a sonogram. They may decide to refer you to a breast specialist. In ALL those cases it does NOT mean you have cancer.

All of us would be worried in your shoes, but in reality it is likely not to be anything scary. You must go see someone or else you will never relax. Call the doc tomorrow morning and tell them you would like to get in as soon as possible just for peace of mind!

6 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.L.

answers from Seattle on

Yes, they will probably give you a mammogram first. I had a small lump a few years ago. My doc sent me for a mammogram and when there was nothing to see on there they also did an ultrasound just to be sure. It turned out to be a benign little lesion, probably due to injury (bumping into something) that went away after a few weeks.

Breast cancer has no symptoms until it is very far advanced. Finding a lump is the only symptom of early stage BC but most lumps are completely benign and not due to cancer.

Just get it checked out, then you won't have to worry.

5 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.C.

answers from Philadelphia on

Don't jump to conclusions! Talk to your doctor. Most lumps are benign (non-cancerous). I had a lump and my doctor sent me for a mammogram and an ultrasound. The ultrasound showed it was fluid filled and went away on its own in a few weeks.
FYI...my lump was the size of a pea. A quarter sized lump sounds quite large.

5 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D..

answers from Miami on

Your OB may do an ultrasound rather than a mammogram, or one in addition to a mammogram. I had a friend whose lump sounds very much like yours, except it was as big as a 50 cent piece. It was red and hot to the touch as well, and it took a long time to heal. It wasn't cancer.

4 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

P.K.

answers from New York on

Go one step,at a time. Who said you have cancer. Why do you have a hair pick in your bra. If, God forbid you do have cancer, and you will not do what is recommended, get your affairs in order.

Get a mamo, then biopsy if needed and then consider your options if necessary.

3 moms found this helpful

S.A.

answers from Chicago on

What? Why exactly did you put a hair pick in your bra?

Start by making an appointment with your GYN. I think they would want to examine you before deciding on a course of action.

3 moms found this helpful

I.X.

answers from Los Angeles on

I think you are getting ahead of yourself. Depending on the size of the lump, local radiation via an implanted seed is common. Breast cancer treatment has gotten a lot less invasive if you catch it early. But bottom line, this is not the place to be getting advice. See a doctor ASAP.

3 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.M.

answers from Grand Rapids on

The lump is probably just from being jabbed by the pick. The swollen ankles is probably water retention. I would try getting some water pills and put your feet up.See if that helps with the swollen ankles.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.S.

answers from Kansas City on

I don't know why you would assume they would not do a mammogram. That would pretty much be standard of care for a diagnostic work up prior to any other testing or anything invasive.

October is breast cancer awareness month, so now is great time to get checked out. Unless you are very young, you do not have to have a doctor's order to have a mammogram. Most places run specials the month of October and they take insurance too.

At the mammogram, there is usually a Dr. or nurse practitioner who will do an exam by feeling the breast tissue. especially if there is anything of a concern. If you do not have a dr. they will refer you.
Some places will even take walk ins, there is a brief questionnaire about your health.

The fact that you have swollen ankles is likely not related to the breast lump, but certainly a red flag that you need a complete head to toe assessment by a medical professional!

Do not put this off! Early detection is key for ANYONE who might be dealing with a cancer diagnosis. At this stage of the game, you don't have enough information to be second guessing about breast removal or chemo or radiation, much less whether you have cancer.

Most all major hospitals or medical facilities have "breast centers", so call around and you can get a price quote as well as an appointment.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.R.

answers from Washington DC on

I would think they would do a mammogram with a lump in the breast. Usually cancers are very rough to touch. Cysts in the breast usually feel very smooth and round....but this isn't something to ask here....see your doctor as soon as you can.

R.X.

answers from Houston on

I have had the underwire in my bra pierce into my left breast and that did not cause any danger. To set your mind at ease, go get one of the free breast mammograms this coming month. Good luck.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

G.G.

answers from Chicago on

I think I have a pretty good idea of how you're feeling. I myself have a breast lump that I felt on the left side of my breast. I noticed it after I had my menstrual cycle. It doesn't hurt. But I am a little worried, but I am optimistic and I believe it may be a cyst or inflamed lymph node. I am scheduled to have a mammogram and an ultrasound next week. Wish me luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

G.L.

answers from Salt Lake City on

They will do a mammogram first and get a good look at it. Not every breast lump is cancer; in fact, most aren't. I had a diagnostic mammogram a few years back for what turned out to be an inflamed lymph node.

Go let your doc take a look! Call tomorrow, and get in to see someone this week. Don't put it off, and don't freak yourself out over-thinking the possibilities. Don't allow your fears to keep you from dealing with this. If (and this is a small possibility) it IS cancer, the sooner you deal with it, this less invasive the treatment, and the more likely your survival.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions