terrified i have breast cancer

**helen_1980** · 07-31-2011 02:04 PM

hello
i am 31 and for a few months my right breast has felt heavy and aches a lot and the nipple has been sore too,i saw my doctor who said she could not feel any lumps or thickness but she still sent me for a ultrasound scan 3 weeks ago which was clear and i also saw a breast doctor who said there was nothing to worry about and was just benign breast changes but my nipple (the bit that sticks out not the circular bit) it looks bruised and is tender,my 34 year old sister is fighting breast cancer and is having a mastectomy next week and i am terrified i too have cancer,could the doctors and scan be wrong or is this just one of those things.i have 4 children,never breastfed,do not smoke,i am not pregnant or in my cycle and i am not on any birth control medication.many thanks

**ItsASecret** · 07-31-2011 02:11 PM

Unless a doctor says you have cancer there is no cancer. You cannot self diagnose something as big as cancer, you can only take the precautionary measures like you have been doing. If the scans say nothing is there, the doctors have physically done exams, and no lumps that can be found are present then there is medically nothing there to be worried about. All you can keep doing is check yourself with a regular monthly physical breast exam in the shower or whatever like recommended by physicians and do not create unnecessary stress and worry.

**Seeker_Advice** · 07-31-2011 02:41 PM

Rock solid advice from one of our best.

You've done everything you can do..Two different physician's opinions...same answer..all clear.

Keep checking by doing a monthly exam. Good advice for all women.

Now stop worrying and focus your energies on helping your sister through her difficult time.

I will keep both of you in my prayers.

**JadedQueen** · 08-01-2011 04:51 AM

Stressing out is NOT HEALTHY!!!! Since you have seen a doctor and they sent you in for tests the odds are EXTREMELY good that you have absolutely NOTHING to worry about. Yes, cancer is very scary especially since someone close to you is going through it. Doctors, especially ones that deal with detecting cancer are very thorough because they know that early detection is essential.

I have gone through a cancer scare about two years ago. I was having sore breasts and they got a lot bigger in a short period of time. I went to my normal doctor and told her about it, even though she didn't feel anything she still sent me for a mammogram (because of my family history and my concerns). I went in for the mammogram (and even though my insurance wouldn't cover the cost because I was younger than the age limit for it to be covered-the doctor however sent something into my insurance so that they would cover it) Because it was my first mammogram and they had nothing to compare it to they really didn't see anything but instead of waiting a year, they wanted me to return in 3 months because they said there was something on the left side but they couldn't be sure. I completely forgot about the next visit but they sent me a reminder card, letter and called me to schedule my 3 month appt. When I went in they did another mammogram, and then ultrasound called 3 other doctors in to consult and compare my previous results to the current ones. They definately saw something but couldn't be sure. They scheduled me for a biopsy for the following day. The results from the biopsy took a few days and they called and told me that the results were benign which was a huge relief.
Well... I thought I was in the clear but I guess they tested the sample several times and on one of the test it came back inconclusive and all the other results were benign. My doctor was not happy about that one result that came back inconclusive and they called me and scheduled me to have a lumpectomy done three days from that day. I went in, had the surgery done and they tested everything several times again and on all the testing the results were benign. Doctors these days don't mess around when it comes to the potential that a person could have cancer, things are tested and retested. Some people would say they should have caught it on the first mammogram, and while they did find something that didn't look right to them but it also didn't look like it was something that could have been considered a lump or cancer (I have fairly large breast and the tissue is fleshy which makes it a little more difficult to determine normal for me) I was extremely impress that these doctors, radiologists etc.... went over and beyond and made sure that it was not cancer. I think that's how majority of the doctors, radiologist etc... that deal with finding lumps or possibilities of cancer are these days because as I said before early detection is the key. I wasn't concerned in the least and probably would have forgotten about the follow up mammogram 3 months later but they made a point to send me reminders and contact me to get me in there for a second mammogram now that they had a first one to compare it to.

Have faith in your doctor, keep doing your self breast exams, and if you do have any noticiable changes make note of them and also note the date and where you are at in your monthly cycle. I know for me my breasts get extremely tender so many days prior to my monthly visitor. I have also had bruises appear on my breast and had no memory of anything that would have caused it but the breast is full of blood vessels and something that you don't even realize could have broken a blood vessel and caused bruising. You did the right thing getting it checked out... but now that you have confirmation that things are okay, don't worry about it because there is a relation between stress and illness, stress completely weakens your immune system. Just keep doing self checks, keep regular doctors appts. and you will be just fine.

**Awoman2** · 08-01-2011 10:50 AM

"Unless a doctor says you have cancer there is no cancer."

Really? Because doctors are always right?

While no one wants you to worry needlessly, since stressing doesn't help the situation, I think you are well within your rights to be concerned because of your sister's history. The best thing to do is explore all the possible methods of diagnosis you can afford for your own peace of mind. Once you have done your best, it makes no sense to worry about it. I think your diligence is admirable but you wouldn't be helping your own health by further stress.

Good luck to you.

**ItsASecret** · 08-01-2011 11:25 AM

Really? Because doctors are always right?

When it comes to cancer, yes. No one has an MRI machine at home, no one has a x-ray, no one has the education like a doctor except for a doctor. You can practice self exams all you want, but the doctor is the one that says whether or not you have cancer. A benign lump is a relatively good thing to find when someone is worried about cancer, but again only a doctor can determine whether or not that mass is cancerous or benign. Thinking "my mom has cancer therefore I must" will not work if the scans, consults, and physicals say otherwise. Being cautious is not a problem and it is highly recommended, as mentioned already a doctor will not take something like breast cancer lightly. They will do the physicals, they will do the mammograms, they will refer you to a specialist if need be, but a woman sitting in her room touching her breast cannot diagnose anything other than "I have a mass of some sort". All a woman can do is practice the precautionary method of self-exam in order to best detect something if there is something to detect in the first place.

**ccclove499** · 08-17-2011 11:48 AM

I don't ever think it is intelligent to self-diagnose yourself so it is good that you sought the opinion of those two doctors. My dad's sister had breast cancer and began treatments 2 years ago. Her treatments began as a result of a second opinion. If you still feel like something is not right, then you should consider getting a third opinion. Never ignore how you are feeling! (edit) Good luck to you.

**mybreastcanceranswers** · 09-13-2011 01:50 PM

Helen,
Have you or your sister been BRCA tested? Someone who is 34 with breast ca may have a genetic reason for having breast cancer. It is important for you to be very diligent about any changes in your breast. It sounds like you have had a thorough work up with two doctors and imaging tests. Breast pain can be a sign of fibrocystic breasts and may get worse with your periods. Things that are not normal are...clear or blood nipple discharge, a rash on the breasts or nipple, change in color/texture of skin on breasts, and a lump in the breasts or armpit. Some women have more blood vessels in their nipple and it can look blue or purplish.
I hope this helps, I am sure with your sister being diagnosed, it makes you feel even more scared that you will have a problem too.
Please read this link for more information on BRCA genetic testing. *removed outbound link*
Your Friend,
Heather
*removed outbound link*

**Treatments** · 09-27-2011 12:46 AM

It is important for you to be very diligent about any changes in your breast. It sounds like you have had a thorough work up with two doctors and imaging tests. Breast pain can be a sign of fibrocystic breasts and may get worse with your periods.