Hi my name is Emma and I went for what I thought was going to be a mammogram today, as I have lark ump in my left breast. Both myself and my female dictor can feel this lump although the doc at breast screening clinic said he could only feel lumpiness. My gp also said my lymph nodes were enlarged. My ultra sound came back clear ’ nothing scary there’ said the male doc.
I wondered if anyone else had had this problem and are ultrasounds a reliable diagnostic tool for diagnosing breast cancer?
any help is much appreciated
Sorry for the spelling errors, blame the iPhone lol
Hi Emilie
I’m sorry to read you’re having a worrying time at the moment, I’m sure some of the other users will be a long soon to offer you their experiences and support.
In the meantime you might find it helpful to talk things through with a member of staff on the helpline. Here you can share your concerns with someone who will offer you a listening ear as well as emotional support and practical information. The number to call is 0808 800 6000 and the lines are open Monday to Friday 9 to 5pm and Saturday 10 to 2pm.
Best wishes Sam, BCC Facilitator
Hi Emma,
from my own personal experience the ultrasound proved conclusive whereas the mammogram did not. I was diagnosed with IDC last year but not because of a lump. My right breast swelled up due to a cyst that had developed. The cyst was in fact hiding the cancerous tumour. On the mammogram only the cyst showed up, whereas the ultrasound detected the tumour. Ultrasound is often used on younger women who tend to have denser breasts. Hope this reassures somewhat,
Mateface67
Hi Emma, I’d second what Mateface67 said. When I was diagnosed I had a mammogram first and then an ultrasound scan afterwards as this was able to give a more detailed picture of my cancer. Ultrasound is often used on younger women - I had large breasts and was 26 at the time. Hope this helps.
Hi Emma,
You don’t give your age, but if you are under 50, then breast tissue is too dense to be properly ‘seen’ by mammogram, but can be by a scan. As far as the information you were given by GP, he or she is only a GP and not a specialist. The doctors at breast screening clinics are experts in their field. As for lymph nodes, they are there to ‘catch’ any infection you might have, and often feel swollen while fighting off these infections. Hope this information helps.
Poemsgalore xx
Hi thanks for the replies, my main concern was the fact that the somographer would not actually check the area of the lump. She said she could feel it but only checked beneath it. I explained where it was size ( 3 cm ) also the Dr could not answer any of my questions at all. He told me I have always had lumpy breasts ( not true) he said it must be a cyst but it didn’t show up, he then said it must be fribrous tissue but could not explain why it did not show up. He then told me it was menstrual cycle pain, it is there all the time. When I pointed out my slightly flattened nipple he said it was due to breadt feeding, when I mentioneta the pain radiating to my shoulder and back, he said I had pulled a muscle. I told him I have discharge from that nipple he said it was residual breast milk ( my youngest is 3 and I fed her for 4 1/2 months. I also mentioned a feeling like it hung behind nipple and under the skin at which point he dismissed all of my symptoms as having read too much. He told me to monitor the lump for 6 months to a year but could not tell me what to look for!!
Btw I am 36, 37 in 3 months. I have decided to go back to gp and ask for a second opinion as I do not feel as though I have been given any kind of explanation for my ( as far as I am concerned large lump, I am a small b cup).
thanks again for your replies. X
Emma, that is the best thing you could do as you definitely need to know what it is. As far as the size is concerned, they can’t tell that just by mammograms or scans. Only if and when a lump has been removed can it be measured and examined in the path lab. Lumps do feel quite large when feeling them from the outide, especially if we have small breasts. But you are doing the right thing by asking for a second opinion. I hope you get some answers next time. Take care and please let us know what happens at your second opinion check.
Poemsgalore xx
Hi I went back to dr who said it was probably fribrocystic breast disease. She told me to monitor over the next few months. I have decided I am not happy not knowing defiantly so I am going back for hormone check and to make it even clearer that I need to know a diagnosis. Many thanks for all your advice x