Hi, I'm A 68-year Old Woman And Very Recently I

Posted on Tue, 5 Nov 2019

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Tue, 5 Nov 2019 Answered on

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Question : Hi, I'm a 68-year old woman and very recently I discovered what seems to be a lump in my right breast. I do not have any redness, pain, swelling, discharge, etc... otherwise very normal. Aside from this issue which is worrying me, I feel great. Have plenty of energy, an appetite that's too good and sleep well. To the best of my knowledge, nothing like this runs in my family.
I do not have a regular doctor and take no prescription drugs. I know I need to see a doctor, but my question is this... what can any doctor tell me about this issue without seeing some sort of medical imaging first? I have never had a mammogram. Would I be wrong to buy a mammogram or xrays without seeing a doctor first? I would like to hear what a radiologist can tell me just to know where I stand before seeing a doctor.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (28 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
imaging tests required

Detailed Answer:
Hi and welcome.
Yes, you are right. Doctor can not do anything without imaging tests and you wont be smarter after doctor visit because you already described all features of this lump which can be detected by physical examination.
So mammography and ultrasound should be done and this will reveal if MRI or biopsy is required or not. Also, radiologist will tell you how frequent should ultrasound exam be repeated, usually on a yearly basis.
Wish you good health, Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T