Cancer: The why you really need to be screened.

[taxmapper]

So Ill avoid the large part of the story, but my sister has a 4x6 cm mass in her upper lymph node area on her right side. It is a cancer and she ignored it for about 4 years.  She will have a radical mastectomy and they do not know yet if it has spread. 

She dropped this bomb on me Saturday, and yes I know what can come of it. 

Now, her doctor told her to let any daughters know and have them screened, and she brought up me with my boobs, and the doctor without missing a beat said: then he needs to let his doctor know and he will need to be screened. 

Two things come of this for me, one, screening, two that (especially female) doctors do not dismiss or take it lightly that men can have breasts and are just as susceptible to breast cancer as women are. 

Emotions still high obviously, but life does go on. 

[Justagirl💃]

I noticed a lump on my left breast in 1989. I saw my doctor about it and he wasn't concerned,  calling it a cyst. He did schedule surgery to have it removed.  
After surgery (4 hours of it), they informed me it wasn't a cyst and needed a biopsy.  It was completely removed in a lumpectomy. 
Biopsy came back positive,  so chemotherapy was scheduled right afterwards. 
Aga8n I state, my doctor wasn't the least bit concerned,  and it turned out to be cancer.  

[Parity]

Taxmapper,

  Sorry to hear about your sister.  I do hope and pray for a good outcome for her and also for comfort in your family.  

A good reminder for all to seek medical help whenever something you think is out of the normal.

Wishing you peace also Tax.

[WPW717]

The seeking help is not so easy at times.  The syndrome I have ( MEN ) is not known to have breast cancer associated with it. I do possess a CHEK 2 mutation that is known to cause cancer. I have had colon cancer already. This puts me at the forefront for suspicion of breast cancer. 

It’s nearly impossible to get a doc to order a mammogram & when one did the radiologist over rode him and canceled it. To them it’s more important to not violate Medicare rules. All this despite the NCCN Guidelines that state the condition should have yearly mammos.

I have written my sister about this as there is a 50% chance of her getting the same genetic disease and included a letter to her doctor for her to carry. 
She is displaying symptoms now & choosing to ignore them. I am concerned she is failing to grasp the issue. 

The need to stay on these health issues is paramount.  TAX, I hope your docs are more concerned than the ones I have seen in the past. Regretable news re you sister & the emotional fires this light in your life are very draining for you. Stay strong & my prayers are with you.

[taxmapper]

The seeking help is not so easy at times.  The syndrome I have ( MEN ) is not known to have breast cancer associated with it. I do possess a CHEK 2 mutation that is known to cause cancer. I have had colon cancer already. This puts me at the forefront for suspicion of breast cancer.

It’s nearly impossible to get a doc to order a mammogram & when one did the radiologist over rode him and canceled it. To them it’s more important to not violate Medicare rules. All this despite the NCCN Guidelines that state the condition should have yearly mammos.

I have written my sister about this as there is a 50% chance of her getting the same genetic disease and included a letter to her doctor for her to carry.
She is displaying symptoms now & choosing to ignore them. I am concerned she is failing to grasp the issue.

The need to stay on these health issues is paramount.  TAX, I hope your docs are more concerned than the ones I have seen in the past. Regretable news re you sister & the emotional fires this light in your life are very draining for you. Stay strong & my prayers are with you.

Thanks:    

I know that you'll understand this, but here is the lates I sent to the doc.: 

On the Maternal side: 

One of my cousins. 

Invasive carcinoma with mixed ductal and lobular features, ER+, HER2-, lymph node 0+ Treatment consisted of lumpectomy followed by 20 sessions of radiation, no chemotherapy required, currently on an aromatase inhibitor for 5+ years.

 

My Aunt

 

Waldenström macroglobulinemia and she was diagnosed in the spring of 2001, so she would have been 72 when diagnosed. She died in Feb. 2025.

 

Grandfather had lung cancer, a smoker aggravated by Mustard gassing in WWI, he died in 1959, was born in 1887, so died at 72, no idea when diagnosed.

 

Sister diagnosed with a breast cancer March 2026. 6x4 cm, upper right lymph node area. Was felt for approx. 4 years, thought of as a cyst. (The readings from my cousin and sister are near identical. 

 

Mother: Passed in March 1996 from stroke aggravated by emphysema and decades of smoking.

 

Paternal side:

Father and grandfather passed after strokes.

Father died in 2004 at 79.

Grandfather passed in 1976, age unknown. Poss. upper 70's.
Grandmother died from renal failure also late 70's. 

[Justagirl💃]

Doctors always want to assume it's a cyst first, sometimes they find out too late it's not.

I get a mammogram every year since 1989. Many of those years I didn't have insurance and paid out of pocket.  

[WPW717]

That’s a real serious history of familial cancer. 

Don’t know if you have had any genetic testing, it may be worth it. I used Invitae for mine. Especially for the HER , BRCA & CHEK genes.

The gynecomastia & the history are a red flag for you.

Stay strong my friend.