WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for November, 1998: Re: Breast lumps

Re: Breast lumps

From: D. Ashley Hill, M.D. (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Tue, 17 Nov 1998 21:01:33 -0600 (CST)

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In reply to: Jackie: "Breast lumps"

At Tue, 17 Nov 1998, Jackie wrote: >
>My question is: Women hear all the time to do self exams and if you feel
>anything different then go see a dr.

Every doctor probably takes care of breast masses a little differently than the other, but here are some facts:

Mammograms are wonderful screening tools. However, they "miss" about 15% of breast cancers. If you can feel a breast mass but the mammogram is normal, there is still a possibility that the mass is cancer. In our practice those patients undergo an ultrasound (to see if it is a cyst, because cysts are about 99% benign). If the mass is cystic, it's usually pretty easy to drain it with a tiny needle. If the cyst is solid, we almost always advise a needle biopsy or even an open biopsy.

Breast cancer is rare in women under 30, but nobody wants to look nice Ms Jones in the eye and say "sorry, I guess we should have biopsied that lump last year."

Thanks,

-- Ashley Hill David Ashley Hill, M.D. Associate Director Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Florida Hospital Family Practice Residency Orlando, FL http://home.mpinet.net/dahmd

The above is intended for general medical education, and is not for specific medical advice. I apologize, but I am unable to answer personal e-mail due to time constraints.

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