Lumps

This is such a good, important question.

What I had found during my routine monthly breast self exam was actually a very subtle dimple. I found this after a mammogram and a gynecologist missed it. It took me two weeks to gather up the courage to make an appointment to see my gynecologist to point out the problem.

I was really scared and didn't want to seek out medical help, but I forced myself to speak up and tell my doctor that something was wrong. He listened to me and ordered a diagnostic mammogram, which then found the abnormality.

One of the keys is having a good general doctor in place because a quality general doctor knows great specialists. The saying that birds of a feather flock together is so true.

The key to seeking out the medical care I needed was to act in spite of my fears and to speak up when I didn't like the way I was treated by a medical staff member, including doctors. The key to obtaining quality care was my perseverence. No matter how much a person is frustrated, scared, or feels like shying away from the medical situation, he/she has no choice but to see it through and keep persevering until he/she gets the medical help he/she wants and needs.

It was not easy for me to stay strong and adament about my own care. But I thought of what was at stake here, and it was my life. That was all the motivation I had to keep going toward my goal of quality care.



This is such a good, important question.

What I had found during my routine monthly breast self exam was actually a very subtle dimple. I found this after a mammogram and a gynecologist missed it. It took me two weeks to gather up the courage to make an appointment to see my gynecologist to point out the problem.

I was really scared and didn't want to seek out medical help, but I forced myself to speak up and tell my doctor that something was wrong. He listened to me and ordered a diagnostic mammogram, which then found the abnormality.

One of the keys is having a good general doctor in place because a quality general doctor knows great specialists. The saying that birds of a feather flock together is so true.

The key to seeking out the medical care I needed was to act in spite of my fears and to speak up when I didn't like the way I was treated by a medical staff member, including doctors. The key to obtaining quality care was my perseverence. No matter how much a person is frustrated, scared, or feels like shying away from the medical situation, he/she has no choice but to see it through and keep persevering until he/she gets the medical help he/she wants and needs.

It was not easy for me to stay strong and adament about my own care. But I thought of what was at stake here, and it was my life. That was all the motivation I had to keep going toward my goal of quality care.

I suggest that you see your breast specialist (surgeon) to have the area assessed. The lumps could likely be related to scar tissue, but you always want to err on the side of caution and make sure they are not a recurrance.
As for the underam arm ache...
Make sure you have full range of motion in that arm if it is the one where your lymph nodes where removed. Likely it is scar tissue or something like that but you should see a healthcare provider to determine if there could be other causes for this aching.
Thanks,
Heather I suggest that you see your breast specialist (surgeon) to have the area assessed. The lumps could likely be related to scar tissue, but you always want to err on the side of caution and make sure they are not a recurrance.
As for the underam arm ache...
Make sure you have full range of motion in that arm if it is the one where your lymph nodes where removed. Likely it is scar tissue or something like that but you should see a healthcare provider to determine if there could be other causes for this aching.
Thanks,
Heather

There is another condition which is sometimes confused with cystic disease. These "cysts" are sometimes termed fibro-cystic disease. They are solid, painless, and do not typically enlarge or change with hormonal fluctuations. These growths can be andenopathic. These growths are typically easily distinguished from cancer by mamography or ultrasound. These adenopathies tend to signal the increased potential for breast cancer development later on. "Cysts are not cancers and there is no evidence that cysts become cancers. Cysts are sacs in the breast filled with fluid that feel like a "lump."

Breast cysts are common especially among women between the ages of 40-60. Breast ultrasound identifies cysts. It is extremely important to find out whether what you have is just a cyst or something else.

Breast cysts are categorized as simple cysts or complex cysts. "Simple Cysts" are identified and are generally benign being round or oval with smooth edges. "Complex Cysts" contain debris and aspiration is usually required. Techniques used for aspiration (biopsy) include fine-needle aspiration (also called percutaneous), core-needle biopsy, and surgical biopsy.

The pathologist will check the fluid obtained from the aspiration to determine there are no cancer cells.