How I did it: I went to my primary care physician who felt the same lump I felt and then sent me to a radiology clinic.  They decided to do an ultrasound of that breast first, because I am so young, and that warrented a digital diagnostic mammogram (different from a screening mammogram in that they squeeze your boob a few different ways).  When the results came up negative for anything, my doctor sent me to a breast surgeon who evaluated me, gave me an exam, found 2 more lumps in the other breast, and diagnosed me with fibrocystic breast disease.  We've scheduled a follow-up for 3 months from now to make sure there are no other changes, but for now, I'm glad that I got the mammogram and exam as it has provided some relief from normal fears of cancer.

Lessons & tips: Especially if you are young, 85-90% of lumps turn out to be benign. 

I found the ultrasound to be painless (they even warm the gel now!) and the mammogram to be rather uncomfortable, but nothing actually crossed into pain territory.

It is best to get a mammogram done within the 1st 10 days AFTER your period when there is less swelling.  The farther into your cycle, the more the test hurts. 

Make sure to follow up with your doctor about your results.

I was able to get my mammography and sonogram films and like the idea, since the possibility that I will be moving is a real one.  Now I have a "base" mammogram since I need to be checked more often now should any other lumps come up.

Talk to people.  Almost everyone I said anything to either had gone through the same thing, or knew someone who had.  People will generally try to help you through the waiting period (which I have heard is the worst part, even if the diagnosis isn't as good as mine turned out to be).

Resources: komen.org - Susan B. Komen Foundation for breast cancer research helped to calm my fears about cancer.

WebMD is a great resource for general anatomy info and steps about what to do, when to see a dr., and if you should be worried at all.

Mar 18, 08:56AM PDT | 0 comments | 1 cheer