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Re: Is this normal???

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Posted by Tracy on 2/6/2001 from 206.227.203.57:
In reply to: Is this normal??? posted by Kelly on 2/5/2001 from 208.49.186.105:
Kelly, My cancer did not show up on a mammogram either. (It did however, show on an ultrasound.) It is my understanding that as many as 10-15% of lumps do not show on a mammogram. I was 27 when I was diagnosed in December 1999. I had also had a history of fibrocystic changes, and in fact had had 3 previous biopsies for what turned out to be a total of 6 benign fibroadenoma tumors. The last biopsy also resulted in a fibroadenoma, but next to the fibroadenoma was a 9mm malignant tumor. When I found my last lump, the doctors all felt that based on my age and history, that it was benign. Something didn't feel right to me however, and I insisted on a biopsy. That decision probably saved my life. Just because the lump did not show up on a mammogram or an ultrasound does NOT mean that it should be ignored. The ONLY way to definately be sure the lump is benign is to have a biopsy. Listen to you body Kelly, insist on a biopsy. If your surgeon will not cooperate, find one that will. If the lump is growing, and it does turn out to be malignant, the sooner you treat it the better your chances are. I know that this is frightning, just remember 80%+ of all breast lumps are benign. I had 6 benign lumps before my cancer diagnosis, and have had one benign lump since. Please follow up with this, but do not automatically assume you have cancer. Good Luck, let us know how it turns out.