EBledsoe (can cancer hurt?)

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martyzl
martyzl Member Posts: 196
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hello! I tried to reply to your post from the 19th but the site is being screwy.

Well, yes, cancer can hurt... it doesn't always but there are those of us who have experienced pain due to their cancers.

As Linda said, please, please get thee to the doctor quickly. What you are writing is FAR too familiar to me... I waited for years, at least 6, before I finally had my breast checked out. IF I had done something earlier, perhaps it would have caught things a bit earlier.
Please note that cancer doesn't always show up on a mammogram either. Mine only showed up with ultrasound and there were 2 tumours in the breast with vascular invasion (blood vessels supplying them). You might want to keep an eye on your liver due to your described pain in your shoulder blade region. I have been having this and have had testing which didn't show any metastases but I am still keeping an eye on it.

If you aren't taken seriously by your doc, find another right away. Follow your gut/instinct.
This is your party/body/life!!!

May this be just a small bump in your road!
Please keep in touch!
Marty (zenhound@cac.net)

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  • sevey
    sevey Member Posts: 184
    #2
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    I couldn't agree with you more in everything you said. I have a calvacade of problems because it took me so long to go to a oncologist. I lost a daughter at almost full term & I kept going to the Dr to tell him something was drastically wrong as my baby stopped moving & I was in pain >>>His answer was I was freaking out & to go home but buy a bottle of red wine to drink on the way. This was in 82 & I found out in Va in 89 & it had spread all over the place. Yes it HURT!!!!!!!! You are right about it hurting & mammograms as well because before I had my double masectomy it hurt like crazy both before & after.
    God Bless
    Love Cathy
  • kate1972
    kate1972 Member Posts: 1
    #3
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    Absolutely it hurts. I went through months of docs telling me how lucky I was that the "cyst" was painful (frozen peas in bra), as cancer does not hurt. Be forceful, 2nd opinion, etc. Good luck
  • wingingit
    wingingit Member Posts: 48
    #4
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    Hello, EBlesoe,
    It is true, breast cancer often does not hurt, but I think it can. For a few months before I felt my tumor (4.5 cm), I had been working out with a trainer at the gym on a weight machine for abs (where you sit and bend at the waist and press a bar with chest--just at the top of the breasts). Well, I can recall during the sessions having a stinging pain right where my right breast pressed against the bar. I discounted the pain and a slight bruise thinking the pain was due to just another cyst. A few months later, I found the large lump in exactly the same place of the pain. I will never know if that was an early warning sign since I did not have it checked out right away and was 6 mos. overdue for my mammogram by the time I felt the tumor. Not too bright, was I? So be smart and have it checked out. It is probably nothing, but it will give you tremendous peace of mind! Stay in touch . . . Krista
  • KHarrison
    KHarrison Member Posts: 4
    #5
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    About two months before my mammogram that diagnosed my cancer, my breast began to hurt in the area where my tumor ended up being. It seemed to hurt more around the time of my period. When they called me back to take additional films, I knew the area they were talking about because that is where it hurt. Since it hurt, I was convinced it was a cyst. Wrong! A 5 cm tumor was what it was.

    Never disregard pain and find a new doctor who will take you seriously.

    Karen
  • EBledsoe
    EBledsoe Member Posts: 2
    #6
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    Thank you ladies; Martyzl, Sevey, Kate1972, Wingingit, and KHarrison! I now have had the Mammo and am scheduled to see a surgeon for the biopsy. What type of biopsy do you ladies recommend? In the past I have had only the needle biopsies but in reading it seems they are not always totally accurate. Any info you can give would be greatly appreciated. Thank you again for sharing with me. I cannot express the feeling when I opened each of your replies - you are a great bunch of ladies! I admire your courage and strength and will pray for your continued good health.

    EBledsoe
  • martyzl
    martyzl Member Posts: 196
    #7
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    EBledsoe said:

    Thank you ladies; Martyzl, Sevey, Kate1972, Wingingit, and KHarrison! I now have had the Mammo and am scheduled to see a surgeon for the biopsy. What type of biopsy do you ladies recommend? In the past I have had only the needle biopsies but in reading it seems they are not always totally accurate. Any info you can give would be greatly appreciated. Thank you again for sharing with me. I cannot express the feeling when I opened each of your replies - you are a great bunch of ladies! I admire your courage and strength and will pray for your continued good health.

    EBledsoe

    Hello E!
    Good to see you again... I only check in here once a week normally and was pleased to see that you have the "ball rolling"!
    I had the primary tumour (the only one which showed up on mamm & ultrasound) removed. I have since run across things which say that it may not be wise to do needle biopsies as there may be more risk of spreading the disease...
    If you do go with a removal-type biopsy, know that the scarring will likely be minimal. I chose to go with a total mastectomy & reconstruction... glad that I did as that 2nd tumour hadn't shown up previously.
    As I said previously- follow your instinct/gut!

    Be well, have fun & keep in touch, yes? *smiles*
    ~marty

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