breast checkup...what can i expect?

[MustangLady]

Hi all. Back to you for advice... I found a small lump in breast recently. Went doctors and he's referred me to hospital appt next wk. I'm bit nervous as don't know what expect. What tests will they do? Hate needles so scared it will involve some, I'm a wimp and admit it. Any one been thru this before maybe give me advice or tell me what I can expect. How long can I expect to be at hospital? Ain't in rush just got so many questions I forgot to ask my doctor in my last appt. Any advice? Thanks (nervous)

[icemaiden]

Can only go by my experience.

I was referred to a dermatologist who then referred me for a biopsy which they did under local aneasthetic. I don't mind needles so it really didn't bother me. Once the area is numb it won't hurt. They took a small piece of the lump and then they stitched me up with about three stitches, ended up with a very small scar. Whole procedure took about 20 minutes.

I received the results within 10 days and thankfully it was not cancerous. If your as nervous as your post suggests, I would advise maybe try some Rescue Remedy that you can buy from chemists. It may help you to relax.

Hope it goes ok.

[Sqad]

Steady on.............don't panic.

You will probably have an ultrasound scan and then a fine needle biopsy which will withdraw cells from the "lump" to be scrutinized under the microscope. Almost certainly it will not show anything nasty, but you will have to wait around 2 weeks for the report.

Fine needle aspiration biopsy is usually not done under local anesthetic, but is uncomfortable rather than painful.

icemaiden's lump seems to have been in the skin and hence different to yours.

[icemaiden]

Yes Sqad it was in the skin. Hadn't thought that it might be different to mine.

Hope I didn't scare you too much Mustanglady.

[lala1984]

Hi Mustang.

I went through exactly the same thing as you.

At the hospital a doc just felt the lump (which is the size of about a 5 pence piece) asked me some questions sent me for a ulttrasound where I was told it was just a common lump (have no idea what that is lol)
So don't panic it might be harmless just like mine

[MustangLady]

thank you all for ur answers. Still bit nervy but spoke thats normal.

[MustangLady]

Sorry meant say suppose that's normal.

[gina32]

i had a mamogram and a couple of days later had a letter telling me that an appointment had been made for me to see a specialist lso a few days later. i went and they gave me another scan and said he didint think it was cancerous, he then put a needle in which i hasten to add i didnt feel at all, in fact didnt realise it was in until i seen it on the screen! he pierced the lump and said it was a cyst( and that i had quite a few of them) and drained off the fluid. no pain whatsoever

[rockyracoon]

I've found limps twice in 3 years, the last time was this Feb this year. I got refered to the hospital where both times I had a mammogram and an ultrasound, all turned out to be fatty tissue, they even found more limps than I could actually feel, I didn't need a biopsy of any kind. So, don't worry just yet, I know it's easier said than done though.

Write down any questions you can think of so you are ready when you get to your appointment, you may be a little nervous and forget them otherwise.

Good luck xx

[carmalee]

like you I found a lump and was referred - had a biopsy which I found very uncomfortable (no local) but I don't have a lot of body fat and that may make a difference, I don't know - was diagnosed with breast cancer - had the op - not a masectomy (?sp) a wide incision lumpectomy I think is the term - had radio and chemo therapy together and have been fine every since - that was about 12 years ago. Of course you are nervous but whatever the outcome (and chances are very much that you will have nothing serious wrong with you) modern medicine is brilliant. Good luck.

[Eve]

I've been referred twice. Both times I had to fill in a general question form about fmaily history etc... and get weighed etc... by a nurse then saw a specialist nurse and a breast surgeon who did an examination. The first time the surgeon did a needle biopsy, uncomfortable but not painful, then I was sent for an ultrasound scan. The second time was the same but I had the biopsy during the ultrasound scan and got the results the same day.. Both times it was a harmless fibrous adenoma. I have to say, the clinic and scanning staff were all absolutely fantastic.

[someonesgirl]

ive had 2 aswell. first time i had scan then biopsy straight after (very quick needle gun type thing, all over so quick didnt hurt, the thought was worse) then went back in 3 days- benign but had the lump removed by day surgery under general anesthetic. Second time i had scan and they said they could see all the way through the tissue and it was normal so didnt need to biopsy. Good luck, it seems quite common to get these lumps which are more often nothing to worry about. I know its nerve racking, but im sure youll be fine X

[boxtops]

Do be assured that you are doing the right thing by going for investigation, mustang - we're with you, let us know how you get on ♥

[sara3]

MustangLady, grit your teeth and get on with it.. you can't put a price on peace of mind!

hopefully you'll be prodded and poked, have an ultrasound then sent away as it's nothing to worry about x

[cathfromsaron]

breast xray (bit squashy) and ultrasound (cold and tickly)! these will exclude most things!

IF it needs to be tested further then you may have a needle biopsy but that is painless! most of these things are water/fluids and not anything sinister!

good luck,

cath x

[RATTER15]

Carakeel had the same, very frightening as she has had bone cancer and fortunately survived, so this was particularly frightening thinking the cancer had returned. She had a lumpectomy and is all fit and well again. :-) No price on peace of mind! Good luck, im sure it will all be fine xxx