Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 8/29/2008

Question
QUESTION: For about 4 months I had noticed my left breast was noticeably but not grossly larger than my right. Left nipple doesnt become erect like the right one does but I wouldnt say its inverted. The area around the left nipple looks to me slightly lighter in color than the other one.
Went for exam today and physicans assistant says left breast does feel different from the right one and ordered mammogram and ultrasound for one week from today.  
I have gained over a hundred pounds since quitting smoking in 2006, never had children and have NO history of breast problems in my family on either side. I initially thought this was just a lopsided weight gain showing in my breasts. What are your thoughts on my situation? I WILL go through the mammo and ultrasound next week but do you have any other insights to offer?  I am 51 yrs old. Had a total hysterectomy in 1999 and was not given hormone therapy because I was a smoker back then.

ANSWER: These signs are not such that I connect them with breast cancer, but of course I can not guarantee anything. Please keep me posted!


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Went for mammo and ultrasound today. The radiologist told me that he sees a calcification and a nodule and is 95% sure I have cancer. Then he said something that blew me away....he said "it really doesnt matter if you are biopsied today or a month from now. I wouldnt wait 6 months or anything" then pretty much talked about a gun biopsy, cancer specialist discussing options with me, chemotherapy and I went kind of numb after that.  I dont get the part about it not mattering how fast I get the next step done as I thought once they suspect any kind of cancer they are all over you to "treat it aggressively" so now this next step is waiting to be scheduled. I'm diabetic and my glucose was near perfect a week ago, so were kidney function, potassium, etc and I pretty much feel fine.....dont understand how something can be eating away at your body and all this other stuff be normal.   Also how does the cancer/treatments affect it Type 2 diabetes? The only experience I have with cancer is my father who died of lung cancer a month after he was diagnosed.

Answer
I do not agree with your dr. For YOU it is important to know your diagnosis as soon as possible! And that should be respected! The for you easiest, simplest & quickest way to have this important biopsy is as a needle biopsy! Insist to have it done ASAP! Probably your cancer - if indeed you have one - is at present not advanced and that is why you otherwise are ok. Chemo therapy may affect your diabetes but not impossibly so. However both radiation therapy and chemo therapy - and (anti) hormonal therapy too - may be necessary after surgery. Good luck!