It is so scary to have lumps in your breast that you are told are "normal" but your concerns remain.  Particularly when there is a discharge present in addition to the lump.  There are a number of things they can do to ease your mind and I suggest advocating for your  peace of mind.  If the lump is palpable I strongly suggest you have your doctor locate the lump and make sure that he/she feels it. Breast cancer lumps have a distinct feel when compared to fibrous tissue and most docs are trained to detect those differences.  When the doctor has felt the lump you should ask for the following tests in the order I have listed until you feel peace of mind.
 1)  you can have an ultrasound of your breast (these are routine and done whenever there are questionable results following a mammogram.  That would include not seeing anything when there is a palpable lump.
 2) you can have an MRI of your breast (very accurate even in very dense breast tissue) You lay on your stomach on a piece of "foam'  which has nice holes cut out for the girls to hang into during the MRI.  They can see EVERYTHING in the MRI.  If you have this test done, ask to see the shots before you leave-they are clear and you can TELL what you are looking at.
 3) you can have a needle aspiration biopsy which can be done if the lump is palpable
 4) you can have a breast biopsy during which the lump is removed and tested for abnormal cells.

I have had all of the above tests and they have all been negative for cancer, but so worth the peace of mind since I do have family breast cancer history.

Good luck and always remember to advocate for yourself even if it is just peace of mind.


 

Hello I don't think you will need to put on weight to have the surgery.  I had kidney cancer about 4 years ago. Funny thing was, I was recovering from the cancer surgery on the day that my WLS was scheduled.  I am now about to have the WLS.  My surgery went well but would of gone better had I been your size.  My tumor was the size of a grapefruit and was very cancerous.  They took my kidney, lymph nodes and a piece of the liver.  I was very blessed and all has worked out.  You will be sore after surgery and it will all seem overwhelming at times, but do exactly what the doctor tells you and ask questions if you don't understand something.

On a side note, I didn't lose a pound after the surgery.  I am sure that you have had your surgery by now, but just in case.  My best to you and if you have any questions, I would be happy to answer. 

Hello,

I read you post and just want to offer my prayers that everything will turnout okay.



Much Love,
Cdiva

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Hi, I have chronic active Hep. C for about 23 years now. Thats not so much the problem. my labs are ok,, but for about the last 4 months now, I have pretty significant itching, my scalp, my chest, my ankles, legs, esp. my right arm.. etc. I have a swelling in my neck that feels about rubbery and doesnt see to ever hurt, about the size of a big black olive.  (go figure I would compare the size to FOOD! LOL) anyhow, I see a hematologist/ oncologist, my dr referred me to, and I see him tues. am. my pcp referred me because of the hep c.... but they know about my itching and node.. i think i am feeling a couple other bumps around this area.. anyone ever had itching like this with cancer? I am real concerned, it has no ryhm or reason. tried elimnating and adding etc, different things. still can come on. sometimes a shower or sweating from a workout, can make me scratch myself raw, in fact I think I have a little infection around my ankle right now, its pink with zig zag line scabs, but no scabies, etc. nothing like that. no sigificant rash per se.. ok thanks for listing. I have lots going in my life at the moment.. and this is one of them I am a bit concerned about. what should I say to the cancer doc? anything? thanks in advance.