Gather Your Family History By Lillie Shockney, R.N., M.A.S. - Posted Tue, Aug 15, 2006, 6:08 pm PDT

1. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Wed, Aug 16, 2006, 4:59 am PDT

Single mother age 43, with fibrocyctic(?) breast. Currently feeling bad pains in the right breast. It is difficult to tell if lumps are present because my breast always feel lumpy. I'm concerned that somethings wrong. Can you guide me to a location to have a mamogram scan. I currently have medical. Where do I go? It is so difficult to have this done being in the low income grow. You are given appts months after you feel or see something wrong. Family history- Mother is a breast cancer surviver. One sister deceased at age 35 of breast cancer. The remaining 5 sisters have all had lumps removed from there breast.(no cancer) My daughter at age 25 had lump removed. Okay, here's the deal HELP! I'm scared. I don't want lose my breast. I know early detection hekps but with my current situation how do I see someone right away? lankp41@sbcglobal.net / 310-523-3050

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2. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Wed, Aug 16, 2006, 11:20 am PDT

You need to go for a clinical breast exam by a gynecologist who will give you a referral for a mammogram and or a biopsy. Make sure you see a Breast Disease Specialist for the mammo or biopsy. Please do not let go to a general surgeon. If you need a biopsy, make sure it is a Breast Disease Specialist. Trust me, I learned that the hard way. First to a general surgeon, now under the right care at a cancer center with a breast disease department. You will get the best care that way.

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3. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Wed, Aug 16, 2006, 1:14 pm PDT

Lillie, this is great advice. I have patients and a close girlfriend who learned they had a family history after they were diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer. Had they known sooner, they might have been more proactive with screening exams. Some people in your family, especially older members of the family, might be reluctant to talk about family medical history. However, if explain what you are trying to accomplish, it can help encourage others to be open. I developed a form that might help people gather family medical information, which you can download as a PDF. http://www.mercksource.com/pp/us/cns/cns_patient_resources_savard_form.jsp - Dr. Marie Savard

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4. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Fri, Aug 18, 2006, 2:22 pm PDT

PLEASE!!!!!!! Listen when you hear you need someone taking care of you that knows what they are doing. General surgeons and internal medicine are great for a lot of things but when your life is at stake, you need a specialist. I am another example of finding out too little, too late. God bless you. It is worth the effort to look for the best. Besides, look who you are taking care of AND YOU DESERVE EVERY BIT OF CARE YOU CAN FIND OUT THERE. The best of luck and good wishes to all of you out there. My prayers are with you. Fran Smith ,

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5. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Wed, Aug 30, 2006, 12:33 am PDT

Three weeks ago I have had a not really bad pain in my right breast especially when I am lifting some heavy things. I'm not sure if there is any lump but I think and feel that somethings wrong. It started when my family had a big problem. I have checked my family tree and there's no one in the family who have had a breast cancer except for my one cousin who died of lung cancer. According to what I have had gathered the deseases that took the lives of my relatives (mother side)were;lung cancer, TB, heart ailment,kidney,and Ulcer. I have not checked yet on my father's side. Please give tell me what are the symptoms of having a Breast Cancer. I am very thankful to find out this column. It is a big help for people who might need advices. God bless you all.

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6. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Fri, Sep 08, 2006, 5:47 pm PDT

Im a little confused, why does a Dr. send you to a surgeon that is not a breast cancer Dr. if he knows that's where you should be sent, instead he sends you to a surgeon Dr. to have a breast biopsy done? I don't understand this I'm concerned because my husband has a lump in his right breast and his Dr. sent him to have a ultrasound on it, the test showed abnormality, and was also backed up by a mammo, which also backed up abnormality as well and was diagonst with a solid mass under the nipple with thickening of the nipple,and now he has reffered him to a General Surgeon for a biopsy, this is really making me very nervous since i have been reading these articles. when a man has breast cancer it is treated in the same manner that it is for a woman and the risk are the same, if cancer is found. His mass is 1.0- 0.9- 6.0cm. He already has a pace maker and a loop recorder his health is not the best at all, he has prior history of TIA'S and also severe neck problems @ age of 53. I guess what im saying is im scard and he is too, he has lost 8 lbs. this month and also has pain in his arm bone, so what in the world should i do? His appt. is sept. 11th 2006 and of course as you said we are just going in for a consulation to go over the test and for him to look at the radiology films and reports and then i'm sure he will schedule the appt. for the biopsy, are we at the right place or not or should we be at a breast cancer Dr. the mass has cancer cararistics. Someone please help me out here. scared and confused.......

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