Worried about my sister.

[Dominic_M]

Spoke with my sister last night. She has found 9 lumps spread over both of her breasts. Her mammogram is Monday. My mom has had a history of cysts ranging from her uterus to her breasts over the years, but nothing positive for cancer.

 

I am worried about this, and for her. She has 4 kids and a long life ahead of her. I cant stand thinking of the worst and I try to stay positive about all of this, but 9 lumps seems very very serious.

 

Anyone have any insight for me?

 

Thank you.

[Daligal83]

All you can do is be there and supportive of her. She's taking the right steps to take care of her health. Try to find peace of mind that she has doctors taking care of her. I know that's not much consolation, but unfortunately not everything is in our control. My thoughts are with your sister and your family and I hope that everything turns out OK.

[volpe]

I don't know much about breast cancer but I don't think the number of lumps are as important as what they are, she could potentially have just cysts and a lot of em.

 

I know its really hard right now, though I can only imagine what is going through your mind, but you can not possibly have any idea what is going on until she is diagnosed.....

[RayKay]

If cysts run in the family, it is very possible that is what they are.

 

I know women whom get cysts or fibroids in their breasts often - more so around their period, but often they are there for a longer period of time too.

 

Try not to stress until you know for sure what it is (or isn't).

 

And I do have a lot of experience with breast cancer in my family, and I can say it is amazing what they do these days if it is. For record, it does not sound like it given she just discovered all these lumps...breast cancer tends to not spread that quickly so she likely would of found it before she had nine lumps and tends to begin at a main site and grow into a bigger tumour before starting other tumours in the breast or elsewhere in the body rather than beginning in multiple areas at once. For that reason it sounds more like cysts to me.

 

Of course it is possible it is, and it is good she is getting them checked out...but just don't think the worst of it.

[Poe]

I'm no doctor, but I don't believe cancer spreads like that. I think cancer tends to develop in a region and slowly progress from there.

[volpe]

i think we're agreeing its not cancer.

all the women at our clinic that have been diagnosed with it started with just one large lump. how old is she? why did she get a mammogram? was it routine or because of lumps found in a breast exam? for young women mammograms aren't very effective because the tissue is too dense, so i imagine she'll get a breast ultrasound or biopsy to give more info.

 

most lumps are totally benign.

[Dominic_M]

From what I have read, There have been great strides for treatment of breast cancer, but that is through early detection. I dont know when exactly my sister found these. She may have found them a while ago and just now told me. I dident think to ask as I was shocked about the news.

 

Say she found these months ago? Would that make any difference as to if they may be just cysts or possibly more?

 

I havent spoken to my mom about it yet. Frankly I am afraid of what she thinks, my mom tends to worry a lot and see negitives and the worst case scenerio, and frankly, I dont really want to think like that at this time.

[Dominic_M]

i think we're agreeing its not cancer.

all the women at our clinic that have been diagnosed with it started with just one large lump. how old is she? why did she get a mammogram? was it routine or because of lumps found in a breast exam? for young women mammograms aren't very effective because the tissue is too dense, so i imagine she'll get a breast ultrasound or biopsy to give more info.

 

most lumps are totally benign.

 

She is 34 years old. Im not sure the details, but she told me that she did go to the doctors yesterday and scheduled a mammogram or maybe it was a biopsy on Monday. I really dident take in everything when she told me because I was shocked and scared. I still am.

 

I am trying not to get too emotional now because we still dont know exactly what it is or isnt, but it still doesnt help me think clearly either.

[Hope75]

RayKay is correct that breast cancer is typically a slow growing cancer that starts from a single group of abnormal cells. It typically takes 5 years to be detected on a mammogram, and 7 years for breast cancer to be palpable by the woman carrying it. Scary huh?

 

But the good news about this is it is not likely that breast cancer would present in multiple lumps like that. With your family history of cysts I would be more likely to believe these were cysts- but again only her doctor will be able to confirm this with a mammogram and a biopsy.

 

Try to stay calm and support her for now.

[Dominic_M]

I just wanted to update my sisters situation regarding the lumps in her breasts.

 

The biopsy test results just came back and the tumor is benign!

 

She will have to undergo monthly mammograms to make sure nothing is developing but it looks as though at this time, it is not cancer!

 

Thanks for all the support from all of you who posted advice. I can breathe easier now.

 

Dominic

[RayKay]

Very happy to hear this Dominic

 

I assume it was a cyst or something then?

 

Something like 60% of women have these kind of fibroids/cysts in their breasts (more prominent usually around their period, but for some they are more prominent all the time).

 

 

RK