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newgirl77 · Nov 27, 2007, 02:34 PM

Hi everyone. I'm 23 years old and have a breast lump. The nurse said that there was an area that had thickening tissue on the same side. Lump is painless, moves around a little, feels kind of oval, kind of squishy. I'm having a mammogram in a week.
The thing is that I don't have insurance and went to a free clinic. They are giving me a free diagnostic mammogram. I went on this breast website and a girl told me that mammograms won't work on someone my age, and because I have fibrocystic breasts. Will the mammogram even help at all? The nurse who looked at it said that she has never felt one like that was cancer. But, that's not good enough for me. I don't care if its uncommon at my age or not, if there is a lump t here it needs cut out and biopsied. I don't care if the doctors think its necessary or not. So, I want an ultrasound done instead of the mammogram but the clinic doesn't do them. I called the cancer society and cancer hotline,and I got some person with an accent I couldn't understand who kept saying planned parenthood. I don't really want to go there because I am Catholic. I need a place that does ultrasound for free.. I make six dollars an hour. Me and my boyfriend buy groceries at the dollar store, live in a crap apartment that's falling apart, and we have like maybe 20 bucks a week left over after paying bills and buying groceries. What can I do? I don't have anyone to borrow money from. The cliinic says that I have to leave it up to them whether they do more tests. She already said they won't do more test because it's a cyst. But she doesn't KNOW that. So, I'm really mad.

J_9 · Nov 27, 2007, 02:57 PM

I understand your anger. I was there once myself. I am an 11 year breast cancer survivor, so I know what you are going through at the moment.

Now, yes, breast cancer is uncommon in women your age, but it is not unheard of. So, you are well informed there. A mammogram is great, I wouldn't really worry about insisting upon the ultrasound.

I understand you don't have insurance, but this may get costly, and few clinics handle these situations. What you should request, as did I, is a fine needle aspiration. This will determine whether the cells are benign, just suspicious, or cancerous. This is much less costly than having it cut out and biopsied. This is the first step that should be taken. You don't want the expense of a surgeon, the operating room for up to 3 hours, an anesthesiologist, as well as the laboratory. Just start simple and see if the surgical biopsy is even necessary.

For some great advice you can visit this site. Breast Cancer Information - Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization - Breast Cancer Information

Knowledge is power.

newgirl77 · Nov 27, 2007, 04:12 PM

Thank you for your response. I will ask them about the fine needle aspiration if it is necessary. If they can't tell for sure if it is a cyst from the mammogram, then that would really put my mind at ease. They told me at the clinic that since I don't have insurance they would help me apply for Medicare if I had cancer. Hopefully, that will help with the costs. If I do have cancer, will they just let me die if I don't have the money? I can make payments. I know I'm getting a head of myself a little, but I just keep imagining dying because I can't pay for chemo, etc. I will check out that website. Maybe it will help put my mind at ease. Good to know that ultrasound isn't a must. Thanks again.

J_9 · Nov 27, 2007, 04:44 PM

Sweetie, there is nothing wrong with getting your ducks all in a row and preparing. Heck that's what I did, and I'm here to talk about it.

Now a fine needle aspiration, some call it a fine needle biopsy is done right in the office, and takes about a week for the results. I know it seems like a long time, but is well worth it. If it is a fibroid, most likely nothing will be aspirated, if it is cancer or something else, they will be able to aspirate.

Most likely you will be eligible for Medicaid, (not Medicare, that's for the elderly (I just learned that myself)). Good way to remember it is Medicaid AIDS those with no insurance and Medicare CARES for the elderly.

NO, THEY WON'T LET YOU DIE!! You have rights and you will be treated as such. I will warn you that if it is cancer, the costs are astronomical.

Chemo and/or radiation is not ALWAYS necessary. I did not need radiation, nor did I need chemo, but I chose to take chemo, it was my choice.

The ultrasound is not a necessity, but it may be required if the mammogram does not show anything significant.

newgirl77 · Nov 28, 2007, 01:54 PM

Thanks! I'm really glad that you told me all that stuff. Its good to know that they have to help me if I'm sick. I know it might get expensive. I can deal with that, as long as I am alive. If nothing shows up on the mammo, then I will get an ultrasound. I think it will show up because I can feel it and the nurse can feel it. She said if they think it is anything other than a cyst, they will do the fine needle biopsy. I called the clinic and talked to the RN who saw me today and she helped me feel better about it. She said she really thinks that I will be OK, but that they will make sure that I know for sure so I don't worry. If someone has a lot of medical bills, they have to let you make payments don't they? Sorry, I will ask that in a different forum, I know this is women's health. I'm just wondering. Thanks a lot again, I'm really glad you answered. I got better info from you than the other websites I looked at. Also my friend told me that the RN didn't know what she was talking about because she wasn't a doctor? Don't nurses have to go to school for a long time too? She 's worked at an ob-gyn clinic for 30 years. It seems like she would have a pretty good idea about stuff. She said she has worked with lots of people who thought they had breast cancer.

J_9 · Nov 28, 2007, 02:05 PM

Not all doctors will accept payments, some require payment up front, but you may be able to work something out with the billing department of the particular doctor you go to.

Also, when it comes to hospitals, if you do not have insurance and you cannot afford treatment, it is best to discuss this with the proper department, usually medical billing again, as sometimes costs can be written off (under certain conditions) and many charities contribute to certain hospitals for situations just like this.

RNs go to school for 2 years (after prerequisites are completed) to receive their Associates Degree, longer for more advanced degrees. As an RN it is our responsibility to double check doctor's orders, such as medications, just as an example. It is basically "mini medical school." We don't go as long as doctors do, but we have to make sure they are taking care of the patient appropriately. Basically, we make sure they are doing their jobs right, but aren't trained as extensively as they are.