Trauma + Bewbies = "fat necrosis"

[Friday]

Hi Dr Steve!

I have a lump in my breast.
But I think it is just a 'fat necrosis' ... of course I am just going by interwebs diagnoseees. :)

A little over a week ago I slipped on my hardwood floor and fell into my nightstand. I didn't brace myself well and fell directly into the edge of the wood, hitting the inside part of my right breast where it meets the chest area. It hurt like mad, and I had pain and a massive bruise which is actually still healing up.
A couple of days ago I noticed a decent sized mass underneath the skin.... fairly solid and right around the point of impact.
I looked it up and apparently this is not uncommon in larger women with big bewbies when there is a blunt force to the area.... but they also said that because it is often mistaken for a tumor, it is most times removed and tissue tested for cancer.

I still don't have insurance... just so you know.
Should I get this looked at soon? or is it more than likely the necrosis i found online?
In the past I have pretty good at checking my breasts regularly, but honestly I really haven't checked them recently.

Thanks for your help!

[Dr Steve]

Hi Dr Steve!

I have a lump in my breast.
But I think it is just a 'fat necrosis' ... of course I am just going by interwebs diagnoseees. :)

A little over a week ago I slipped on my hardwood floor and fell into my nightstand. I didn't brace myself well and fell directly into the edge of the wood, hitting the inside part of my right breast where it meets the chest area. It hurt like mad, and I had pain and a massive bruise which is actually still healing up.
A couple of days ago I noticed a decent sized mass underneath the skin.... fairly solid and right around the point of impact.
I looked it up and apparently this is not uncommon in larger women with big bewbies when there is a blunt force to the area.... but they also said that because it is often mistaken for a tumor, it is most times removed and tissue tested for cancer.

I still don't have insurance... just so you know.
Should I get this looked at soon? or is it more than likely the necrosis i found online?
In the past I have pretty good at checking my breasts regularly, but honestly I really haven't checked them recently.

Thanks for your help!


When you traumatize the breast, if there is bleeding into the tissue (bruise, or hematoma), there will often be a lump that develops in the area of the injury. This is caused by scarring and loss of blood supply to the fat cells in the breast causing some of the tissue to die and scar down. This is called "fat necrosis".

The overwhelming odds are that this is exactly what is going on. HOWEVER, there is a small chance that this is a coincidence and that it's a "real" lump that you just didn't notice until you felt around after your injury.

What most professionals will agree on is that if the lump does not shrink and vanish, it should be checked out. An ultrasound can usually identify a lump as fat necrosis. Some surgeons will recommend that the lump be removed if it persists.

Since you're without insurance right now, one thing you could do is go to your county health department. They'll often have a way to get free breast imaging that will go a long way to settling this matter. Also if there is a cancer center nearby, there'll be a Susan B Komen group nearby too. They are great for raising money for people without insurance to get breast imaging done.

this is what fat necrosis looks like on a mammogram:

http://test.cvtcollege.org/Ac_Programs/dms_vascular/images/5914F7DEE22F48A49FD4831FED4282D1.jpg

note how dense it is and smooth; doesn't look very malignant at all.

Hope this helps; this kind of thing is a pain...you pretty much know what's going on, but without x-ray microscopic vision you can't prove it.

let me know how it turns out, ok?


your friend,



steve


PS: if you PM me your zip code (or email it to drsteve202 at gmail.com better yet), I'll see what resources I can stir up in your area.

[DarkHippie]

The thought of friday's bewbies being injured makes me sad

[Thebazile78]

There are tons of "safety net" care programs in the NY-metro area, many of them provided by Komen, Avon and the American Cancer Society. Srsly, get yourself checked. Insurance should not be a problem if you go through charity care, even at a hospital.

Newark-Beth Israel has a community breast center that's been funded by past Avon Foundation grants. It's relatively close to you, both by car and NJ Transit.

There's also a good breast center affiliated with Overlook Hospital in Summit, but I have no idea how their charity care program operates. (I used to know a breast surgeon from the group because she did a friend's mastectomy.) Summit is also "close" by car and NJ Transit...their rail station is really cute and it's technically walking distance to the hospital, if you don't mind a mile or two uphill.

[Furtherman]

I'd walk 5K to prevent bewbie trauma.

[joethebartender]

"fatty necrosis"?
I hope things turn out ok for you. You'll be fine.:wink:

[Ritalin]

First, I hope everything heals up fine for you Friday. I agree with everyone else that you should get it checked.

But this thread reminds me of a conversation I had once with a woman in a bar about, of all things, Jai Alai. She mentioned that her mother had worked at Jai Alai in Bridgeport and that she once got hit in the boob with the ball, really fucking hard. The Jai Alai ball - or pelota if you will - is like a cue ball and they get that thing going really fast. I don't know what she was doing on the court and I don't know how she got hit.

Well, this chick's mother later died of breast cancer, and she's telling me that she and her sister's blame that jai alai ball wack for the ensuing tumor. Then she got pissed at me when I tried to tell her that it doesn't work like that.

Dr. Steve, it doesn't work like that, right? I know this sounds stupid but it's true.

[Freitag]

I'm gonna go donate money to my ex-girlfriend

[Dougie Brootal]

I'm gonna go donate money to my ex-girlfriend

BWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH AHAAHAHAHAHAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Thebazile78]

First, I hope everything heals up fine for you Friday. I agree with everyone else that you should get it checked.
......

Well, this chick's mother later died of breast cancer, and she's telling me that she and her sister's blame that jai alai ball wack for the ensuing tumor. Then she got pissed at me when I tried to tell her that it doesn't work like that.

Dr. Steve, it doesn't work like that, right? I know this sounds stupid but it's true.

Cancer is cancer.

It may have a correlation, as in your ex-g.f.'s case, with a trauma, but, for all we know about diseases, we still have very little idea about what the direct causes of cancers like breast cancer and ovarian cancer are. There are people, like Dr. Susan Love, who are working to find the root cause(s) and, using their knowledge, figure out a cure and, ultimately, a vaccine.

A lot of people feel that certain aspects of the environment has an impact, largely due to the media panic over what were described as "cancer clusters" around communities near high-tension power lines, etc., but the studies used to generate the correlation were later disproven as having no causal link between a higer incidence of cancers and the place the families lived.

Cancers like breast cancer and ovarian cancer do have a tendency to run in families - you've probably heard about the BRCA genes (BRCA-1 and BRCA-2) - but only about 5% of the breast cancer diagnoses in the USA are "hereditary" cancers. The other 95% of breast cancer diagnoses kind of came out of left field.

There have been studies released that show a strong correlation between smoking and alcohol use and breast cancer. There are studies that show a strong correlation between an active lifestyle and a reduced risk of breast cancer ... and, as an added bonus, a reduced risk of heart disease (which is the #1 killer of women in the USA!)

[Thebazile78]

For people who are uninsured, under-insured, minority or otherwise medically underserved, there's help to get access to care.

This site:

http://www.avonbreastcare.org

Has a spot to plug in your state and get information about Avon Breast Care centers in your area. (Click on "Funded Programs" then plug in your state.)

If you want a "real person" call 212-244-5368. They should be helpful...I have just read a testimonial from a fellow AWBC participant about their customer service people.

[Friday]

Thank you to Dr Steve and Liz for the suggestions.. I truly appreciate them. I actually called Overlook's breast center and they can do a diagnostic mammo for a decent price - and I work right here in Summit.

Better safe than sorry :)

[Dougie Brootal]

Thank you to Dr Steve and Liz for the suggestions.. I truly appreciate them. I actually called Overlook's breast center and they can do a diagnostic mammo for a decent price - and I work right here in Summit.

Better safe than sorry :)

good luck frideeeee! hope it all comes back good!

[Thebazile78]

Thank you to Dr Steve and Liz for the suggestions.. I truly appreciate them. I actually called Overlook's breast center and they can do a diagnostic mammo for a decent price - and I work right here in Summit.

Better safe than sorry :)

AGREED 100% ... as we like to say on the breast cancer awareness "circuit" - EARLY DETECTION SAVES LIVES.

They may recommend a breast ultrasound because you're younger ... young breast tissue has a different density from old breast tissue.

Also, before you go in for your mammogram (if they are indeed sending you to a mammo rather than the breast ultrasound) pop a couple ibuprofen or naproxen ... it'll help the experience be less unpleasant. (This is advice I've received from breast cancer Survivors.)

Here's more info on mammography from the NY Times:

http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/test/mammography/overview.html (http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/test/mammography/overview.html)

p.s. - GOOD LUCK!

[Dr Steve]

PS: This month is "Breast Cancer Awareness Month"...I guarantee you there is a Susan B Komen group operating near you that are giving out free mammograms until the end of October. There should be flyers around, or ask the social worker on the oncology floor of your local hospital...they usually know all this stuff!

good luck, and write back if I can help in any way.


your pal,



steve

[Don Stugots]

Oh My God Friday, Do You Need Me To Rub It? Are They Ok?

[TheMojoPin]

Someone please punch Stugots in the tits.

Thank you.

[Bob Impact]

Sarah held her boobs and yelled "TELL HER I SAID IM SORRY!"

[Thebazile78]

PS: This month is "Breast Cancer Awareness Month"...I guarantee you there is a Susan B Komen group operating near you that are giving out free mammograms until the end of October. There should be flyers around, or ask the social worker on the oncology floor of your local hospital...they usually know all this stuff!

good luck, and write back if I can help in any way.


your pal,



steve

Sorry, Dr. Steve, but it's Susan G. Komen ... you probably conflated her with Susan B. Anthony ... but, hey, honest mistake. Especially if you're not used to having boobs.

Because it's breast cancer awareness month, many groups, including the Avon Foundation (which funds specific programs for the uninsured/under-insured at hospitals that are near Friday) and the American Cancer Society, may be offering low-to-no-cost mammograms.

HOWEVER, NJ tends to be weird, especially in Union and Morris counties, which are relatively affluent compared to other counties, like Sussex or Hunterdon. They also have a greater density of locations where services will be offered, unlike many states in the US where the closest free clinic may be very far away.

I'm partial to the Avon Foundation because I know Survivors who are in their late 20s and early 30s (no joke) in the NYC-metro area who have been helped by Avon Foundation grants that set up "safety net" care systems. The group out of Overlook is good. I know their work and they are great. Since Overlook Hospital is not a private hospital, it's got a good "charity care" program as well ... which Friday might qualify for if she needs additional testing. And, again, there's always the safety net programs through Avon.

I don't know what Komen's focus is for their grant monies, but the Avon Foundation's focus is primarily on the uninsured, under-insured and minority women in the US. They've been working for the past 50+ years to better the lives of women and do a lot of work in our area...including giving grants to Komen chapters and projects!

[Dougie Brootal]

please give us an update. ive been abstaining from jackin it till i know youre okay.

[Friday]

first and foremost .... I <3 Liz. Your information is wonderful and it's almost like having my mom here again to be super informative ..... and that is a really good thing! :smile:

Sarah held her boobs and yelled "TELL HER I SAID IM SORRY!"

:lol:
i love her!

please give us an update. ive been abstaining from jackin it till i know youre okay.

don't stop on my account, silly... they are fine.
going to schedule the test this week.
in the meantime.... bewbies are fully functional!

[Dougie Brootal]

don't stop on my account, silly... they are fine.
going to schedule the test this week.
in the meantime.... bewbies are fully functional!

back to your myspace page!!!!!!!!!!!:clap::clap::clap:

[RoseBlood]

PS: This month is "Breast Cancer Awareness Month"...I guarantee you there is a Susan B Komen group operating near you that are giving out free mammograms until the end of October. There should be flyers around, or ask the social worker on the oncology floor of your local hospital...they usually know all this stuff!

good luck, and write back if I can help in any way.


your pal,



steve

Are they responsible for those Mammography on Wheels Deal too? I saw a big Mammo-Mobile at work a couple weeks ago; I guess it's nice and all but someone offering free breast exams out of the back of a van creeps me out. :huh:

[Dr Steve]

Sorry, Dr. Steve, but it's Susan G. Komen ... you probably conflated her with Susan B. Anthony ... but, hey, honest mistake. Especially if you're not used to having boobs.

I was going to say it was a typo, then I realized I typed it that way twice in this thread! Ha, I think you nailed it, my brain went for the Susan B Anthony reference.


ANYWAY, check out the Komen site, Friday! And good luck with it, in the end there's a 99% chance that this is totally benign.

your pal,


steve

[Dr Steve]

back to your myspace page!!!!!!!!!!!:clap::clap::clap:

I need to see this page...er...professionally, of course.

:wink:

[Thebazile78]

Are they responsible for those Mammography on Wheels Deal too? I saw a big Mammo-Mobile at work a couple weeks ago; I guess it's nice and all but someone offering free breast exams out of the back of a van creeps me out. :huh:

Yes, both the Komen Foundation and the Avon Foundation funds help those Mobile Mammography units travel around the country. They're especially important in areas where access to care may be difficult for poorer women, so they tend to rove about the Midwest and other "wide open" states, like the Dakotas, Montana and Wyoming.

It only creeps you out because you probably have access to care elsewhere - either a primary care doctor or a Planned Parenthood facility - so you're not looking for the door-to-door doctor.

[Thebazile78]

first and foremost .... I <3 Liz. Your information is wonderful and it's almost like having my mom here again to be super informative ..... and that is a really good thing! :smile:...

Glad to help out a friend, Tracey.

The fact that I know more than two breast cancer Survivors who are under the age of 40 (and within the last 3 years lost a coworker who was 31 when she was initially diagnosed...and 34 when she passed) makes me extra-eager to be well-informed about breast cancer! Plus, I actually learned a thing or two from my participation in the last 5 Avon Walks in NYC.

Oh, and another cool thing this year with the Avon Foundation is a research project with the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation, called the Love/Avon Army of Women (http://www.armyofwomen.org). Its purpose is best summarized by Dr. Susan Love in this quote:

“Over and over I’ve heard scientists lament how difficult it is for them to find the volunteers they need for research studies. I’ve long believed that helping scientists overcome this obstacle would accelerate our understanding of what causes breast cancer and how to end it. By responding to this need, the Army of Women will change the face of breast cancer research.”

I'm going to sign up soon ... probably today because I have nothing better to do. Our system crashed earlier this morning and there's no work getting done around here.

[Ritalin]

PS: This month is "Breast Cancer Awareness Month"...I guarantee you there is a Susan B Komen group

Sorry, Dr. Steve, but it's Susan G. Komen ... you probably conflated her with Susan B. Anthony ... but, hey, honest mistake.

face

[TheMojoPin]

I think, like, MAYBE 5 people will get this. (http://dugout.progressiveboink.com/archive/dugout5-7-06.htm)

[Friday]

I went today to the Overlook Breast Center for my Ultrasound and Digital Mammography and the doctor read the films while I was there.... he said there is a small mass of cells gathered in my bewbie but it appears to be insignificant. I am to keep an eye on it and follow up with my regular doctor, but otherwise I am happy to report that I was handed a clean bill of breast health.

I was glad that my initial instincts proved right, but also glad that I went and got the exam anyway. When the very nice tech who did my ultrasound felt the lump she seemed surprised that I found it and pleased that I took it seriously enough to follow through. I guess my mom taught me well.... and some sound advice from Dr Steve and friends helped me to follow through. Better Safe Than Sorry.....

So yeah... the bewbs got pushed, pulled, stretched, smashed, flattened and photographed.
It wasn't a pleasant experience...but well worth it. A few minutes of discomfort I can deal with.
Anyway, I think the billing and paperwork process was more annoying by a long shot!

In closing... this is my favorite cartewn of the day;

http://chattamom.chattablogs.com/archives/male%20mammogram.jpg

[Friday]

I think, like, MAYBE 5 people will get this. (http://dugout.progressiveboink.com/archive/dugout5-7-06.htm)

omg Mojo i just saw this now.... phucking hilarious!!

[OGC]

Do you think it would be appropriate if I changed my board name to fat necrosis in honor of the good news ?

[Death Metal Moe]

This thread is useless without pics.

See what I did there?

[Furtherman]

Good to hear, Friday!

[Don Stugots]

I happy to hear that friday.

[Dougie Brootal]

thank god!!! give em a squeeze for me!

[joethebartender]

So yeah... the bewbs got pushed, pulled, stretched, smashed, flattened and photographed.
It wasn't a pleasant experience...but well worth it.


Sounds like someone's weekend came a few days early!:tongue:

[Thebazile78]

YAY!

Healthy boobs are happy boobs!

Glad to hear it turned out well for you, Tracey!

[ahhdurr]

Yay Bewbies!!:clap:

[scottinnj]

http://test.cvtcollege.org/Ac_Programs/dms_vascular/images/5914F7DEE22F48A49FD4831FED4282D1.jpg

note how dense it is and smooth; doesn't look very malignant at all.



I bet you say that to all your mammogram patients.

[boosterp]

In closing... this is my favorite cartewn of the day;

http://chattamom.chattablogs.com/archives/male%20mammogram.jpg

I had top come back to say I love this cartoon! :lol: