Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 10/16/2006

Question
I noticed a spot on the top side of my right breast being tender about 2 years ago.  When I went for my OB visit I didn't mention anything about it because I had not felt a lump just a tender spot I thought maybe I was imagining.  I then got pregnant and at my 6 week checkup after the baby was born decided to mention it to my OB since I was still noticing it.  He said that when I stopped nursing to come by and he would check it out.  I told him I usually nurse about 15 months.  He said ok and just to come back in then.  Should I wait that long?  I don't notice it being sore unless I start to do a self exam but then I always notice the same spot being sore.  Is there somewhere I could go have a precautionary mammogram done without getting a Dr. referral first?
Thanks,
Julie

Answer
Julie, I'm a Swede living in Sweden. I have no idea where - if anywhere - you can go in order to get a mammogram that way. First of all tenderness is not usually a cancer sign. If you have not felt a lump, tenderness alone does not make me worry much about cancer. In order to do a mammogram your breast has to be "compressed" - sounds worse than it is - and that is probably difficult now when you are nursing, but perhaps not impossible. An ultrasound scan and an MRI scan of your breasts can be made anyway so it is not impossible to check you in some way. Talk again to your dr. or another one! Good luck!