Nodule under a 'bruise'...no injury??
Question:
I do not know my family history at all, as I was adopted. I'll be 36 in a couple of weeks and know that first mammograms aren't recommended unless you know your family history and there's breast cancer, or you have a personal history.
I've had totally normal annual breast exams...and where I fail to do my monthly self exam, when I noticed this, I KNOW there wasn't a nodule or abnormality. (last exam was about 6 months ago).
I'm not surfing the net so I do not scare myself to death, but should I be concerned? I take my children to our family doctor later this week for physicals, should I ask about it (they're both boys, so do not want to have the exam in their presence) or is this something that could wait a couple of weeks when I go in for my tetanus vaccination?
Answers:
There are a few questions. One is whether or not you are on any anticoagulant Rx such as Aspirin. Or taking estrogen or other birth control med. Even some of the 'rings' can have bruising as a side effect.
Is the bruise central, or peripheral? Paget's is ductal, around the nipple area where all those glands and little tubes are located. The linear nature indicates ducts. Could obviously be polycystic. If it were me, I'd have the little guys sit outside, have the doc take a look but schedule a consult with a surgeon. The most sensitive Dx for breast Ca is the MRI, to the point where it's over diagnosing cancers. So though it might be positive, doesn't mean it's positive till the biopsy says it is. Still, it would give you an idea of what to do and who to talk to and where to go.
Your OB/GYN is the one most used to doing these exams as they do it day after day. One gets pretty good at knowing the feel of different types of breast lesions with that kind of experience.
Let me know.
Paul
You should contact your doctor immediately. Do not wait until your next appt. in a few weeks.
It's probably nothing, but it's better to be safe!!
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