Deal With a Newly Detected Breast Lump

If you do regular breast self-exams, that is great, but it is not required. Receiving regular mammograms and physicals along with performing self-checks are preventative steps that you might take. What happens if you actually find a lump? First, don't panic. Second, educate yourself about different types of lumps. Third, take action.

Steps

Taking the First Steps

1. Become familiar with how your breasts feel. You might not spend the time checking yourself out each month because cancer doesn't run in your family, you are young, you feel healthy, or maybe you tend to put things off. However, you may want to familiarize yourself with how healthy breasts normally feel. Do this right after a period because this is when natural breast lumps will be at their smallest.
   • The upper breast tissue either feels long and thick or uneven and rounded.
   • The lower breast feels smoother.
   • Some random spots feel slightly bumpy normally; just be aware of changes each month.
2. Know the warning signs. Different symptoms will alert you to a possible problem. Being familiar with each of them is something that you should add to your to-do-list! Educating ourselves is the best defense when it comes our health.
   • Be aware that some tenderness or lumpiness can occur around the time of your period. If it doesn't go away by your next cycle, be concerned.
   • If your breasts get red, become irritated, or the skin is flaky, you might want to see a doctor.
   • If your nipple looks like it is flipped inside out (unless it usually looks this way), make an appointment.
   • If your nipples produce any red, brown, yellow, or clear fluids, it's time for a check-up.
3. Set an appointment and keep calm. It is integral that you do not delay seeking a physician's advice if you notice a change in or around your breasts. It is always better to be informed. Avoid thinking about the worse case scenario at this point, though.
   • Make your appointment as soon as possible. The longer that you wait, the worse off you will be if the tumor or other symptom is a sign of cancer.
   • Talk to friends and co-workers. Ask other women if they've ever had a similar experience and ask about the outcome. Hearing some positive stories will stop you from completely losing it.
   • Panicking just gets your cortisol levels going. An uptake in cortisol is going to make you crave sugary, fatty, no-good-for-you foods. Drink some chamomile tea and calm down, as you need to stay healthy.
4. Learn about the different types of breast lumps. It might be scary when you find a lump or other abnormality. Don't freak out, though! It is more than likely that your lump is not cancerous, but you must receive confirmation of that from a doctor.
   • Some lumps are just cysts. Cysts, which are filled with fluid, occur due to hormonal changes and it is common for women to experience them at some point in their lives.
   • Other lumps might just be benign tumors. These are the result of tissue that has simply formed too quickly and is a bit abnormal as a result.
   • You might be experiencing mastitis. This is an infection and the primary cause is breastfeeding. It can easily be treated with antibiotics.

Finding and Receiving Treatment

1. Consult your health insurance company if you have one. If you go for an initial appointment and your doctor recommends further action, it is crucial to educate yourself about their policies so that you don’t receive bills from your local hospital or doctor’s office and faint when you see the amount.
   • Figure out if you need a referral from your primary care doctor to see other specialists.
   • Learn the percentage of your doctor’s visits and tests that your insurer will pay.
   • Be aware of the deductible amounts for in-network and out-of-network services that you are responsible for.
2. Find assistance if you don’t have insurance. There is no reason to think that you can't get treatment just because you don't have coverage. There are many options available to you. Don't risk your health. Make sure that you take action!
   • If you are not sure where to start, try a women’s center at a local college.
   • You can also try social services or the department of health in your city.
   • Talk to someone at a hospital. Some states offer financial assistance to low-income people when it comes to health care. A hospital worker may help you learn about such programs.
   • There are also organizations dedicated to breast cancer education that provide resources.
3. Conduct research to find the best physician available to you. Most doctors have websites that highlight their degrees and expertise. If the site offers a video of the clinician, watch it to see if you like his or her vibe. Even though you’re in the early stages, you want to ensure that your doctor can diagnosis you accurately.
   • Start with those in your network if you have health insurance. If you don’t, still look into the physicians that are available to you.
   • You can also check doctor’s ratings online. Remember that one or two low ratings aren’t a big deal, but shy away from those who hardly have any positive comments.
   • Asking friends, colleagues, and family members for referrals is a great way to feel more secure, too.
4. Get ready for a clinical breast exam. The first step that your doctor will take is to conduct a thorough examination, similar to a regular physical. Go to the appointment with a positive outlook and remain calm.
   • Your doctor will ask you many questions about your general health, specific symptoms, and whether or not cancer runs in the family.
   • Then, your doctor will look at the skin on your breasts as well as the nipples to check for any warning signs.
   • Finally, your doctor will press on your breasts and armpit area to check for other lumps or problems.
5. Undergo imaging tests. Another method that doctors commonly use is to conduct one or several types of tests that involve taking a picture of your breasts. This type of procedure will help your doctor determine whether or not the lump is cancerous and what the next step should be.
   • A common test is the mammogram. It is a type of x-ray specifically for the breast and will zone in on specific parts of the breast so that your doctor can take a closer look.
   • Alternatively or in addition, you might need an ultrasound. This procedure uses sound waves to produce information about your breast, specifically regarding whether or not a breast lump contains fluid.
   • If diagnosing you poses challenges, your doctor might also suggest an MRI or ductogram, which involve the use of dye to emphasize the appearance of breast tissues for further scrutiny.
6. Let your doctor perform a biopsy if she or he deems it necessary. During a biopsy, the doctor removes a tiny piece of tissue from your breast. This is a common procedure that is not incredibly evasive. The results will help shed more light on what is going on.
   • Two options are core needle and fine-needle aspiration biopsy. Different needles are used to withdraw tissue from your breast. Core needle allows your doctor to take a larger sample.
   • The stereotactic method involves a needle too, but before using it, your specialist will also take more images of your breast.
   • With a vacuum-assisted biopsy, your doctor will numb and cut your breast to take the tissue sample.
   • Finally, during a surgical biopsy, the doctor actually removes part of the lump. You will be medicated so that you don’t experience pain.

Following Up After Diagnosis

1. Prepare for more doctor’s visits even if the lump is non-cancerous. Your doctor will need to see you for follow-ups to make sure that you stay healthy. Try not to be annoyed by having to go to these appointments. Instead, be thankful that you are cancer-free!
   • During most of the visits, you will just chat with your doctor about how you are feeling. If you feel tired, have gained or lost weight, or experience pain, let your doctor know.
   • Occasionally, the doctor or nurse will take blood from you or give you an x-ray to rule out presence of cancer in the body.
   • Of course, you may need yearly mammograms depending on what the lump was, so that you can ensure that no new lumps have formed.
2. Educate yourself if the lump is cancerous. All is not lost even if you don’t receive a favorable diagnosis. In this modern age, there are many types of treatments and many knowledgeable doctors out there. Don’t be too proud or shy to ask for needed help.
   • Feel free to get a second opinion. If your doctor doesn’t seem super knowledgeable or you just want confirmation from an additional source, see someone else for peace of mind.
   • Get help with your pathology report. This document explains what the specialist found when examining your breast tissue sample taken during the biopsy. It will help your doctor decide how to treat you. Have someone in the doctor’s office help you break down unfamiliar terms.
   • Ask your doctor pertinent questions. If the lump is cancerous, find out what stage you’re at and how it might influence your health and longevity. Inquire about other tests that you might be subject to, and learn about any timelines in regards to making decisions and receiving care.
3. Join a support group. If you experience mental or emotional anguish during or after the screenings or follow up appointments, know that many other women are going through the same thing. There are many benefits to talking with other people, so give it a try to see if helps you feel better.
   • Speaking with those who can understand your ordeal will make you feel less stressed because you are able to vent about what you’ve been through.
   • Many support groups offer relaxation techniques, which can also help you relieve stress. Rhythmic breathing and guided imagery are two of the more popular strategies that you might try during meetings.
   • Once you feel stronger, you might be able to co-lead discussions and provide one-on-one guidance to someone who is in the earlier stages. Doing so will make you feel purposeful and will ease emotional burdens.

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References

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