Getting a second opinion on breast lump?

At the beginning of this month, I noticed that my left breast had a firm, flat lump in it on the outer upper side where the armpit is. I had a mammogram done and then an ultrasound on the breast, and the doctor said he saw two small masses, but he believed they were just masses of fat.

Now, it feels firm to me (I would think it's soft to the touch), so can fatty masses possibly be... hard? I was still feeling anxious and when I asked if I should get a biopsy for it, he said only if I was really, really worried about it (but that he firmly believed they were just fat masses), but that he advised me to wait 3 months and come back for another ultrasound then, and THEN a biopsy if necessary.

I don't really want to wait 3 months to get another ultrasound, but now my left breast is actually bothering me (there's no discharge or breast changes that can be seen to the eye like skin puckering, etc.) and I feel like my left armpit is bugging me too, although there isn't a lump or...

anything there. I'm getting freaked out thinking that it may be cancer and that the mammogram and ultrasound have just overlooked it, as I'm young (22 years old) and my breasts are still dense. I'll most likely be getting a biopsy done on it to ease my mind (waiting 3 months seems dangerous to do), but is what this doctor said plausible, or is he missing something entirely?

It is VERY possible for fat deposits to be hard. They can be encapsulated inside their own skin (or casing) and it would make them very firm.

If you've had a mammogram AND an ultrasound and the doctor just wants to do a follow up, I would urge you not to get too stressed out and just do what he says.

OR you could just go get a second opinion. However, THAT would mean you might have to pay out-of-pocket if the new doctor wants to run the same tests (as most insurance companies will only pay one time for a particular test within a certain period).

Whatever YOU are comfortable with. However, I tend to feel that doctors go to school for AGES for a reason...and I would like to believe that mistakes are the exception, not the rule.

DO follow up in three months...It really is NOT that long to wait. However, at that time, I would urge you to request a "needle biopsy" where they will extract a small portion of the mass via a syringe and have it examined at a pathology center. If it's nothing, then it's nothing, but a needle biopsy is FAR less invasive than a lumpectomy.

STOP freaking out!

Here is a site where you can get more information on your condition:

http://www.webmd.com/search/search_resul...

Don't worry about going against your doctor. If it will ease your mind, get a second opinion. Good Luck and God Bless !!!!

Oh - i would suggest you see a different doctor for an opinion.

3 months sounds like a long time and the symptoms you are having is not really a normal thing.

Maybe some of the Women who will hopefully answer will help a bit more..

2nd Doc's opinion is probably the way to go!

First, do not let any one tell you that you are too young for breast cancer. You need to feel you received the best advice. You can take your mammogram results to another doctor or have your doctor do the biopsy. I am with you, it should be done.

I had a build-up of fat on my leg once, it's called a lipoma. I didn't have it removed for years and it continued to get bigger and it was firm, at first I thought it could be a tumor. This is probably what's going on with you but it can't hurt to have a biopsy done to be on the safe side. Tell your doctor you want it done NOW! Sometimes you have to be firm with your doctors and be pro-active with your health care. Good luck and I'm sure it's nothing but a fat build-up.

I lost both breasts to cancer (years ago, I am fine now). I am here because my doctor jumped on my situation as soon as I felt the lump. PLEASE DO NOT DELAY. Find out for sure NOW. If it is nothing your next 3 months (and beyond) will be worry free. If it does need attention all will probably be resolved quickly and you can move on with your life.
If you need more support please contact your nearest American Cancer Society chapter or visit the ACS online. Good luck and God bless.

I would go & get a second opinion right away...... We just found out that my grandma has breast cancer & b/c she did not catch it right away it has moved to the Bones & the Spine already.

If you are close to the Chicago Area. The Cander Dr's @ Rush Memorial are wonderful!!!

Best of luck to you!!

Go to the doctor and DEMAND a biopsy IMMEDIATELY. For goodness sake the worry of it all alone will make you ill - I must say your doctor is worryingly laid back. Please go back and make you request. Good luck - I will pray for you x

You're on the internet rather than getting a expert look at it?

It is natural to be freaked out by this. The very subject scares most women.

Fat lumps can feel quite hard. Think about what the fat on a piece of steak is like before cooked - harder than the surrounding meat.

Quite frankly, if I were you, I'd go to another doctor for confirmation. You can make yourself sick just stressing over this and that's just not reasonable. Good luck!

I know this is hard to do, but you need to calm down. You are stressing. Stress can cause all kinds of mind games. I have very dense, fibrous breasts. I too, have to have have ultra sounds done, as well as Mammograms. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in May. It was very small(1.5 cm). When the radiologist did the ultra sound, she informed me then, I would need a biopsy. I asked what she was looking for(I already knew) She said "I could be wrong, but in this case, I don't think I am". This lady has done enough ultra sounds, to know what she is seeing. The biopsy came back positive. I had a lumpectomy and a sentinel node removal the first of June. I am 53 years old. What I am saying is, if you don't trust your doctor's opinion, seek out another. You have to feel comfortable with what is going on with your body. Chances are you DON'T have cancer. But if it makes you feel better, seek out another opinion.

Get a second opinion. Preferably from a Breast Surgeon. My general practitioner and OB both told me not to worry about my lump. I went to a breast surgeon who did a biopsy and found stage 0 breast cancer. Because it was caught so early it's almost 100% treatable.

Uh, no. Get a second opinion. Your doctor is being lazy. A breast biopsy can be done in the office in less than five minutes. You don't want to mess around with this stuff. You are never too young to get cancer. A friend of my husbands just died of breast cancer and she got it when she was 24. Her doctor told her the same garbage....and look where it got her. Not trying to scare you, I know this is scary. I have been through it myself. Go to a different doctor- I would suggest a woman- and get the biopsy done. And don't wait weeks for an appointment either. Be firm and persistant. That's the only way you can get what you need sometimes with those doctors!