You have found a lump in your breast.  Now what do you do?

   

 First of all, the most important thing is not to panic.  85% of all breast lumps are benign, and the chances are always in your favor that your lump is a benign lump.

   

 The breasts are mirror images of each other.  If you do find a lump in your breast, check the same spot on the other breast and see if there is a lump there.  If there is, what you are feeling is probably normal.  If there isn't a lump there, the next step is to call your health care provider.

   

 Your health care provider will probably do a thorough breast exam and then send you for a mammogram.  The mammogram itself is only 85% reliable, so further testing may be necessary if the exam shows nothing.  Very often an ultrasound of the lump will be performed to differentiate between whether the lump is solid or fluid filled.  A fluid-filled lump is usually a benign cyst.

If your health care provider is concerned about any or all of the test findings, a biopsy of the site will be the next step.  This may take the form of a needle biopsy where a needle is inserted into the lump in several spots and minute samples of tissues removed for analysis.  Your doctor may choose to do a wider area tissue biopsy wherein the area in question will be incised, and a small sample of tissue removed for analysis.

   

 If the lump is indeed malignant, surgery is indicated, and the choice will be made to do either a lumpectomy or a mastectomy.  Further decisions will involve treatment following surgery.  You may be given the choice of chemotherapy, radiation or a combination of both.  These decisions are based on several factors such as your age, how aggressive your tumor is, the size of the tumor, the size of the breast etc.

 

There is an enormous amount of educational material available to help you in your choices.  One of the best sources of information is the American Cancer Society which can be reached at:

   1-800-ACS-2345

      View My Guestbook  Sign My Guestbook
E-mail imronnee@yahoo.com
Background By Ronnee

[Home] [Biography] [Photo Gallery] [Links] [Breast Cancer Information] [Fitness] [Family Memorial] [Webrings] [Love & Friendship][LVS Online Portfolio]