After a recent needle biopsy of a cyst in my breast, I have extensive bruising and tenderness in the area. Is this a sign of something wrong?
Bruising is caused by blood leaking from tiny blood vessels under the surface of the skin and is likely to occur to some degree following a biopsy whatever the precautions taken to prevent it. There is unlikely to be any cause for concern, and the bruising should gradually disappear over the next few days or weeks. If it does persist, is painful or spreads, ask your doctor’s advice.
I have been referred to a general surgeon at my local hospital to investigate a lump in my breast. My GP said there is no specialist breast surgeon in our immediate area, but, having thought about it again, I would rather see such a specialist even if it means travelling to do so. However, I am nervous about asking my GP to change the arrangement. What should I do?
You are entitled to see a specialist breast surgeon and, in fact, it is a good idea to do so. A consultant who specializes in breast diseases will inevitably have more experience in this field than a general surgeon who does not have a specific interest in breast diseases. If there is no breast specialist in your area, you can ask to see one elsewhere, although you may have to insist. You may prefer to write to your GP requesting a referral to a breast specialist if you are anxious about talking to him or her again. Alternatively, you could contact your local hospital and ask if there is a breast care nurse you could talk to; she may be able to advise you and to support your request for another referral.
Following the recent discovery of a small lump in my breast, an appointment has been made for me to see a specialist. I am 48 years old. What are the chances that the lump is cancer?
Although most types of breast cancer are more common in women around the time of their menopause, approximately only 1 in 10 of those who are referred to a specialist with breast problems are found to have cancer. There are, of course, different types of breast cancer with different prognoses, and treatment of a small lump detected at an early stage of development may have a better outcome than that of one which is detected later.
I frequently have pain in my breasts which does not seem to be related to my periods. I cannot feel a lump. What should I do, and what might be the cause of this pain?
Non-cyclical breast pain can have several causes, most of which are benign. It is not common for breast cancer to be associated with pain in the breast, although it can be. You should make an appointment to see your doctor, having first made sure that you are wearing a well-fitting bra. If you have not been measured for a bra for some time, and particularly if you have lost or gained a significant amount of weight recently, it may be that the bras you wear are too big or too small and are not supporting your breasts properly.
Breast pain that is not related to the menstrual periods can be referred pain from a back or shoulder problem, and your doctor will probably want to investigate this possibility. Sometimes, the cause of breast pain is never discovered, but it does often resolve itself in time.
I am 48, and have recently been able to feel hardness around the edges of both my breasts. What is this likely to be?
The breast tissue changes in women around the time of their menopause, and what you are feeling is likely to be a benign condition called dysplasia or fibrocystic disease. However, it is worth checking with your doctor to rule out any other possible cause.
I am about to have a mastectomy. WM I need to wear special bras after my operation, and will I be able to wear swimsuits and sundresses?
There is no reason why you should need special bras; the bras you usually wear will probably be able to be adapted to hold and conceal a prosthesis. This is also likely to be true for most of your clothes. If there is a breast care nurse at your local hospital, she will be able to arrange this for you. Do discuss it with her or with your consultant. Swimsuits, bras and sundresses can usually have a pocket sewn into them to hold the prosthesis, and this will allow you to take part in all sports and your usual activities without worrying about your prosthesis becoming dislodged. Mastectomy swimsuits are available, but they are expensive, and should be unnecessary if your own can be adapted.
Although the underwiring of strapless bras can damage a prosthesis, it is probably all right to wear one for short periods of time if you want to wear a strapless dress. Low-cut dresses may not conceal your prosthesis, but apart from this, you should have no restriction on the clothes you will be able to wear.
I have been referred to a general surgeon at my local hospital to investigate a lump in my breast. My GP said there is no specialist breast surgeon in our immediate area, but, having thought about it again, I would rather see such a specialist even if it means travelling to do so. However, I am nervous about asking my GP to change the arrangement. What should I do?
You are entitled to see a specialist breast surgeon and, in fact, it is a good idea to do so. A consultant who specializes in breast diseases will inevitably have more experience in this field than a general surgeon who does not have a specific interest in breast diseases. If there is no breast specialist in your area, you can ask to see one elsewhere, although you may have to insist. You may prefer to write to your GP requesting a referral to a breast specialist if you are anxious about talking to him or her again. Alternatively, you could contact your local hospital and ask if there is a breast care nurse you could talk to; she may be able to advise you and to support your request for another referral.
Following the recent discovery of a small lump in my breast, an appointment has been made for me to see a specialist. I am 48 years old. What are the chances that the lump is cancer?
Although most types of breast cancer are more common in women around the time of their menopause, approximately only 1 in 10 of those who are referred to a specialist with breast problems are found to have cancer. There are, of course, different types of breast cancer with different prognoses, and treatment of a small lump detected at an early stage of development may have a better outcome than that of one which is detected later.
I frequently have pain in my breasts which does not seem to be related to my periods. I cannot feel a lump. What should I do, and what might be the cause of this pain?
Non-cyclical breast pain can have several causes, most of which are benign. It is not common for breast cancer to be associated with pain in the breast, although it can be. You should make an appointment to see your doctor, having first made sure that you are wearing a well-fitting bra. If you have not been measured for a bra for some time, and particularly if you have lost or gained a significant amount of weight recently, it may be that the bras you wear are too big or too small and are not supporting your breasts properly.
Breast pain that is not related to the menstrual periods can be referred pain from a back or shoulder problem, and your doctor will probably want to investigate this possibility. Sometimes, the cause of breast pain is never discovered, but it does often resolve itself in time.
I am 48, and have recently been able to feel hardness around the edges of both my breasts. What is this likely to be?
The breast tissue changes in women around the time of their menopause, and what you are feeling is likely to be a benign condition called dysplasia or fibrocystic disease. However, it is worth checking with your doctor to rule out any other possible cause.
I am about to have a mastectomy. WM I need to wear special bras after my operation, and will I be able to wear swimsuits and sundresses?
There is no reason why you should need special bras; the bras you usually wear will probably be able to be adapted to hold and conceal a prosthesis. This is also likely to be true for most of your clothes. If there is a breast care nurse at your local hospital, she will be able to arrange this for you. Do discuss it with her or with your consultant. Swimsuits, bras and sundresses can usually have a pocket sewn into them to hold the prosthesis, and this will allow you to take part in all sports and your usual activities without worrying about your prosthesis becoming dislodged. Mastectomy swimsuits are available, but they are expensive, and should be unnecessary if your own can be adapted.
Although the underwiring of strapless bras can damage a prosthesis, it is probably all right to wear one for short periods of time if you want to wear a strapless dress. Low-cut dresses may not conceal your prosthesis, but apart from this, you should have no restriction on the clothes you will be able to wear.
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