Obstetrics - I know you should err on the side of caution, but I can't financially afford it. Is this 2nd doc being overly cautious?

What is "Obstetrics " ?

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Obstetrics is the field of study concentrated on pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period. As a medical specialty, obstetrics is combined with gynecology under the discipline known as obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN), which is a surgical field.

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My experience over Obstetrics "I know you should err on the side of caution, but I can't financially afford it. Is this 2nd doc being overly cautious?"

I'm 43, no family history of breast cancer, and the genetic testing I did for fun said I don't have an increased chance of breast cancer.

I felt a breast lump about a year ago and made an appointment at the nearly-free clinic I go to for simple things. They ordered a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound and that was done six months ago at the cheapest place I could find in the largest medical center in the world.

The findings were that it was a solid hypoechoic 1.5 x 1.1 cm mass, probably a fibroadenoma. I never saw a doctor during the testing. Recommended follow-up- ultrasound on that breast in 6 months.

That brings me to today. I paid a little more and did the follow-up ultrasound at a place that specializes in breast health, because you have to treat yourself every once in a while, right? When the tech was finishing up, she said a doctor would be in soon. The doc felt around and looked at the new images and said I needed a biopsy. I told her that wasn't going to happen because I didn't have insurance. I honestly don't know why I bothered doing any testing, since there would be no way to pay for treatment if it was needed.

She told me her reasons and they were basically the same thing the first ultrasound said. I asked why I would need a biopsy now but not before. She looked at the old results, which she hadn't seen, and said that because the size was stable and the amount of blood-flow wasn't massive, she would agree to a follow-up mammogram and ultrasound in 6 months, but that she wished it was oval as opposed to round, whatever that means. She also said that if it grew at all before that, I really needed to make an appointment for a biopsy.

Everything I've read about fibroadenomas makes them sound like no big deal, so I don't get it. Just so I don't sound like a total jerk, she seemed really knowledgeable and competent, not that that helps my argument for questioning her.

Would you have had the same recommendation as either of these instances?

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" Thinking of you lots and hoping for your speedy recovery. "