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Becky · 11-30-2009, 05:53 AM

Hi

I'll comment first on the new guidelines - you will and would still get diagnositics as the mammo or MRI would be ordered because you had a problem. I am sure that won't change just the age requirements etc for standard mammos.

Second, I think there is difficulty in diagnosing when a woman is still nursing and especially in that "semi-weaning" stage. Although not diagnosed while nursing, I did nurse and got the same exact engorgement problem you described - a whole quadrant which is typical. I was given antibiotics that cleared it right up.

I am not sure how quickly the doctors dealt with you after the swollen lymph node. That would have not just been bells and whistles to me but a gigantic blow horn!

Just to reiterate, I think someone who was in your situation - it would be easy for a doctor to confuse engorgement versus a mass.

11-30-2009, 05:53 AM	#2
Becky Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Stockton, NJ Posts: 4,179	Re: Breast Mass vs. Breast Engorgement Hi I'll comment first on the new guidelines - you will and would still get diagnositics as the mammo or MRI would be ordered because you had a problem. I am sure that won't change just the age requirements etc for standard mammos. Second, I think there is difficulty in diagnosing when a woman is still nursing and especially in that "semi-weaning" stage. Although not diagnosed while nursing, I did nurse and got the same exact engorgement problem you described - a whole quadrant which is typical. I was given antibiotics that cleared it right up. I am not sure how quickly the doctors dealt with you after the swollen lymph node. That would have not just been bells and whistles to me but a gigantic blow horn! Just to reiterate, I think someone who was in your situation - it would be easy for a doctor to confuse engorgement versus a mass. __________________ Kind regards Becky Found lump via BSE Diagnosed 8/04 at age 45 1.9cm tumor, ER+PR-, Her2 3+(rt side) 2 micromets to sentinel node Stage 2A left 3mm DCIS - low grade ER+PR+Her2 neg lumpectomies 9/7/04 4DD AC followed by 4 DD taxol Used Leukine instead of Neulasta 35 rads on right side only 4/05 started Tamoxifen Started Herceptin 4 months after last Taxol due to trial results and 2005 ASCO meeting & recommendations Oophorectomy 8/05 Started Arimidex 9/05 Finished Herceptin (16 months) 9/06 Arimidex Only Prolia every 6 months for osteopenia NED 18 years! Said Christopher Robin to Pooh: "You must remember this: You're braver than you believe and stronger than you seem and smarter than you think"