Pardon me for posting a personal question, but I do not know a more
knowledgable group to ask.

Background:  I am 29 yrs old with no history of breast lumps.  I have been
nursing continuously for over 6 yrs (3 children) and have nursed a total of
about 10 yrs (4 children total).  I am currently nursing an almost 1 yr old
many, many times a day and a 3.5 yr old 4-6 times a week.  I have had
probably 2-3 cases of mastitis and/or plugged ducts during my lactation, but
none for at least the last yr an possible longer.  My maternal grandmother
died of premenopausal breast cancer in her 40's.

Thursday night I was nursing the baby and discovered a large (appx 1") solid
mass in my right breast.  I would describe it as being at "12 o'clock",
fairly close to the chest wall.  No pain or redness.  The lump can be moved
around.  Friday morning I visited my PCP who sent me for an ultrasound.  It
showed the mass was indeed solid and a biopsy was recommended.

I now have an appt for a biopsy scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.  I must
confess that I didn't expect to here from my Dr re the appt until Monday
(this all occurred after 4 Friday afternoon) so I didn't ask any questions
about who was doing it, etc as I was startled to get the phone call.  I
spoke with the nurse who said that most likely they would do a fine needle
biopsy at that time, but may also do or schedule a lumpectomy.

I'm coming here 1) for stories from others who may have run into this and
hopefully reassurance that it doesn't have to be too scary.  2) what type of
questions do I want to be asking on Wednesday regarding possible diagnostic
procedures?

Thank you for any information.  I confess that my knowledge of breast cancer
diagnostics is rudimentary at best and this does not fall under anything I
am familiar with re lactation.

Jessica Mattingly M.Ed, CCE, CBE, LLLL
Kansas City, MO

------------------------------------
We worry about what a child will be tomorrow, yet we forget that he is
someone today.
Stacie Tauscher 

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