lump and breast pain

Hey everyone. I found a one inch lump in my breast about a week ago. It's not round it's more like straight across. Really strange. Anyway, I know weird things can happen right before your period, so I decided to wait until after (which should be any day now) and see if it goes away. Two days later, at the gym, I leaned into a pad on a machine and got the worst stabbing pain in that breast. It scared me, I've never felt a pain like that. I still decided to wait until after my period to call the doc. Tonight, my mother-in-law gave me a hug and I got the pain again. So, I came home and started feeling around, trying to recreate the pain. I did once or twice, but mostly I can poke and jab and get no pain at all. It just has to be hit in the right spot. I should also tell you this lump is kind of hard to find, I don't know how I found it in the first place. I know I have to go to the doctor, who should I call, my PCP or my gyne? Like I said, I want to wait until after my period, but next Saturday I'm leaving on vacation for two weeks and it will drive me nuts if it's still there. Do you think it can wait until the end of the month? They probably won't be able to get me in before I leave anyway, so I may have to wait. Ugh. Marcia

NOW YOU KNOW YOU HAVE TO GET THAT CHECKED, MS MARCIA. DON'T WAIT ... IT'S PROBABLY NOTHING, BUT WHY CHANCE IT & WHY WORRY YOURSELF TO DEATH? IF YOU EXPLAIN THAT YOU'RE GOING ON VACATION & A BIT WORRIED, MOST DOCTOR'S OFFICES WILL SQUEEZE YOU IN ASAP. I ALWAYS HAVE TO START WITH MY PRIMARY BECAUSE OF MY INSURANCE COMPANY'S REGS, & THEN HE REFERS ME FOR TESTS OR TO A SPECIALIST. GOD BLESS DAWN & NICK

I agree with Dawn. Especially with all the terrible things going on in my life right now. It doesn't pay to wait, and it's better that your doc thinks you're a "nervous nelly" than take a chance that something could be wrong. If you go to a family practice doc, instead of an interist, I would start there. All family practice docs are qualified to do breast exams. In fact, mine does ALL my gyno stuff, so I don't have to go to a separate doc. My insurance company has changed their guidelines and they start giving mamograms at 35 yrs old. I have my first one scheduled in 4 months. They are checking things earlier and earlier these days. Don't wait. The not knowing will drive you crazy, not to mention the pain. It's probably an infected pore or duct, but better to be sure. Hope it all goes well, Sheryl 292/223/160

Definitely go now, I agree with Dawn and Sheryl.

Marcia, there is no question: call your PCP or your GYN and see whoever can get you in first. Don't wait for your period, or any other reason. It is probably nothing, but what if it is something serious? Early detection is the BEST chance for a full cure in the case of breast cancer. The sooner caught, the better the opportunity to keep the breast intact. It is probably nothing. Most of the time, it is. I had a small breast lump, smaller than a BB, but I had it checked anyway and the diagnosis was a clogged milk duct. Better safe than sorry. I think I read that 1 in 10 women will have breast cancer during their lives; none of us can afford to mess around. Please post again and let us know what you find out! Take care of yourself. Sheryl

Personally, I'd rather have you see your doctor even while you still have your period. Even if it is fibrocystic disease which gets worse and very sore during your period, the doc can see if anything needs to be followed up. The fibrocystic disease hurts almost like when you're pregnant, the "girls" swell up and get hard and lumpy. At least that's what happens to me. Since menopause, I don't get that any more, whew! Don't wait. If it hurts you that badly, the doc really needs to examine it at its worst, which is now. Your PCP is probably the doctor that you should see. If you tell them you have a painful lump in your breast, they'll find a way to get you in. Please let us know if you get an appointment. If your PCP can't see you before vacation, go to your gyno. Cheryl