having had a clean mammogram will not guarantee that breast cancer does not presently exist or won't appear in just a few months down the road. everything inside of me says that mammograms save lives but they are also an imperfect diagnostic tool. a painful mass and a swollen lymph do not necessarily add up to breast cancer. it is possible the mass is benign and that the swollen lymph node only suggests that an infection exists. benign masses are more frequently seen in women < 50 years old. benign breast lesions are vastly more common than malignant lesions breast ultrasound in particular is routinely performed to distinguish between fluid-filled breast cysts that usually require no further treatment and solid masses that require biopsy and follow-up care. according to the susan g. komen the need for a biopsy does not mean that you have cancer. in fact fewer than 1 out of 10 women who are called back for more tests after a mammogram turn out to have cancer. the vast majority of (breast) solid masses are benign (96%-98%) 2% to 4% will prove to be malignant. according to cancer. com only about five percent of u. s. women have metastatic breast cancer when they are first diagnosed with breast cancer. in summary: the numbers are limited but appear to be in favor of the breast mass being benign. the significance of the swollen lymph node only comes into play in determining mediatizing if the mass is malignant. waiting for return of the biopsy results is excoriatingly difficult but is out of your control. i recommend uniting as a family to learn as much as possible about breast cancer. suggest to the doctor that ultra-sound and mri procedures be considered. these tests may be more conclusive in determining benign from malignant masses and may also alleviate some of stress while waiting for the biopsy results. attempt at all costs to remain positive. prepare yourselves just in case the tests results are downbeat to wage a holy war against this devilish and diabolical disease. i wish you well.
with a clean mammogram 7 months ago what is the chance of breast cancer with a swollen lymph node and breast mass? . i have a family member who had a clear mammogram 7 months ago. she went to the doctor yesterday with some pain and they found a mass in the breasts on the mammogram in addition to a swollen lymph node in the armpit. she has had a biopsy on the mass and the lymph node but the results will be quite a few days. i am worried sick about her so as an engineer who loves numbers i would like hear statistics on this situation if someone knows them.