Re: O.T. Breast lump help

[Guest guest]

Hi Debbie,

I can partially understand where you are coming from, as my Aunties say "

Breast Cancer runs in the family " .

All accounted for Aunties have had breast cancer as well as my only female

cousin. So far, of the women we know of, I am the only one spared thus far.

Add the fact that I am a DES Daughter, and you have the makings of a Nervous

Nellie .

I know you are searching the Internet for answers, and will see lots of

sites. I have done the same . No reason to point you to any specific sites,

as you most likely have seen them already. Plus, I am not an expert and like

you, can only guess which information is accurate.

I will list my personal conclusions, and perhaps as a group, more will fit

together for us.

________________________________________________

I will never have another mammogram, for the exact reason you seem to

believe. Squishing a cancer lump could cause it to spread. Cells could be

disturbed.

The fact is, there is no reason for this procedure, as an ultra sound will

show if there are any other lumps.

Once the results of the mammogram are presented to the doctor, they then say

" yep... there is a lump... do a fine needle aspiration " . Where did that get

us ?

I would be asking what the false negative result possibilities are on this

procedure. Then make a choice.

With my family history, I personally would not trust a FNA.

I do not know that numbers for breast lumps,and FNA false negatives. BUT...

with thyroid nodules... one FNA only results in 10% false negatives. That

means that if 100 of us were standing in a room, all with nodules, after

they did FNA on all of us, there would still be 10 of us with the wrong

answer.

Then if a second FNA is done on these 10 people, only one would then have

the wrong answer. I do not want to be that one person.

So lets look at the odds factor in both situations.

Our family history does put us at higher rink for breast cancer.

Graves' disease increases the odds that a nodule could be cancerous.

Using those two facts ( which can researched on Pub Med ) our choices in

this situation take on a different tone.

If I find a suspicious breast lump, I have already decided for ME, I will

skip the normal tests, and go straight to removing the lump only and have

them biopsy it while I am still on the table.

I understand this takes a bit of set up, as they often do not do the biopsy

until later. Then if it is cancerous, there is a second surgery needed. In

the mean time, there is a very remote chance the cancer cells that have been

disturbed could move to other parts of the body. Metastasize... (sp ?)

I have not looked into what parts of the body breast cancer cells are most

likely to metastasize, and that would be another thing you can bet I would

be researching.

I have been trying to learn this about thyroid cancer, and the people I have

met, that have had this happen seem to have mostly lung or bone cancer.

Please remember, I am no expert, only a very curious person. For ME,

understanding these things gives me more power. The ability to make choices

that I believe are correct for ME.

Most people do not need to look further, they are confidant in their choices

as is.

I am frightened if I do not know all the possibilities up front.

For ME, the situation you describe, is very fortunate. The location makes

all of your choices much easier than if it was farther back entwined it the

lymph nodes.

In my imagination, you end up with a small scar there and complete

confidence that they have not made any mistakes.

We do know stress causes many problems.

We do know that being too hypo increases cancer odds.

All of my Aunties have been too hypo, on female replacement hormone, and

under great stress.

I choose to continue keeping my thyroid levels in the upper part of the

range, and disregard TSH , as I have no idea what my antibodies are.

You asked for our honest opinions, and that is all I have.

I do not want to scare you, and that is NOT my intent.

Data is power.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PubMed/medline.html

Another possibility is view many breast cancer survivor groups this weekend,

and find one that has intelligent women that are willing to be honest. Then

mark a time to stop. Have a plan to do something with hubby. Walk away from

this, and allow your body and mind to rest.

-Pam L -

3 1/2 years Graves', TED, and PTU.

Remission since Jan. 28th. 2002 !

Key: SLOW reduction of PTU (despite an incompetent endo ! ), eight hour

dosing, improved lifestyle, REAL food/ no processed pre-made food, herbs,

and looking at the big picture.

Triggers are: MSG/any 'flavorings', glutamites ,aprartame, pesticides,high

iodine foods.

_____________________________________________________

Pills alone only help the symptoms. We must help our bodies to heal.

_____________________________________________________

* " What a long, strange, trip it's been " ...Jerry .... Peace*

[Guest guest]

HI Debbie

Please forgive the intrusion into your graves support group. I'm a

friend of and she asked me to reply to your enquiry. I have breast

cancer. That doesn't make me an expert, by any means but I am also the

manager of a breast cancer dragon boat team in Hamilton Ontario.

Therefore I do have a little more experience than most. (We have about

70 members, male and female, all ages from disgnosed at 21 to post

menopausal diagnosis)

The following is my opinion and mine only.

All decisions are yours and yours only. Remember that when dealing with

the oncology world.

All lumps need to be investigated despite location, despite sex, despite

age. Period.

If the lump is very close to the chest wall (little fatty tissue

aroundit) I agree mamogram would be tricky, not to say painful.

Ultrasound does a good job in these situations. Needle biopsy is

certainly a good option if the lump is near the surface and of palpable

size. If the needle biopsy is inconclusive I would insist on excision

and biopsy. But make the appointment with your family doctor immediately

and push for a biopsy immediately as well.

Do not hesitate to insist. This is your body and your life you are

dealing with. Doctors do not necessarily know everything.

Your family history although significant is not the main risk factor.

Only 10 % of breast cancers have a genetic link that science can now

detiremine. Your main risk factor is being female:)

If you have any other questions or jsut want to chat please feel free to

email.

Paddles up!

Charmaine

[Guest guest]

Hi Debbie,

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{ HUGS }}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

I was just thinking about you and wondering where you had disappeared to! I

m so sorry you have to worry and deal with yet another scary health problem.

.. when IS enough enough already????

I don't have any advice for you but wanted to let you know I was thinking of

you and putting out good health vibes for you that this turns out to just be

another scare that you overcome quickly. (It does sound like the

ultrasound/biopsy would be the way to go to start (would be for me anyway).)

Hang in there and let us know how it goes!

Love,

Pam B.