? for women re: mammograms (long) update post 15

[mommaU4]

Well, I hope this isn't too personal a thing to put out here but I could use some advice.

Last week I went for a mammogram. I am 34. This is was my second one, the first one was 5 years ago and was normal.
My mom has had breast cancer and my great-grandmother died from it, so there is a history of it in the family.

I was having pain in the left breast on the side kind of near the armpit. I went to my DR and she checked it out, said she didn't really feel anything but sent me for a mammogram.

They took me in right away for the mammogram but I was still there that day for an hour and a half.
I was seen right away but they just kept doing it over and over.

First they did both sides then I had to wait while the radiologist reviewed them.

Then they called me back in to take more on just the left side. Then I had to wait more.

He didn't like something he saw so they did an ultrasound. They kept checking and checking and I'm trying to be calm but by now I am getting nervous.

Finally he said he's not worried, that on the ultrsound it looks like a lymph node. But he wanted more pics to be sure, so I get squished for a third time!!
And each time they do it they take several pics so I lost track of how many total pics they took.

So I sit and wait more. Finally they tell me that it appears to be okay but they want me back in 6 months to recheck. The paper they gave me has the words "probably benign" checked on it.

So I leave and have been able to think of nothing else since then. I mean, it's either a lymph node or it isn't. How am I supposed to just wait and wonder for 6 months? What if they are wrong??

So I called my doctor today and told her my concerns. She agreed to schedule me for an appt with a general surgeon so he could go over the films with me and then he will decide if it's worth doing a biopsy or not.

I'm not sure what my exact question is. I'm just nervous and wondering if I am doing the right thing by pushing the issue? What if he looks at it and says the same thing as the other guy? That's it's probably fine and we'll check it in 6 months?

Don't they know that probably fine is not good enough? Can't people be dead in 6 months???!!! How could I possibly sit around and wonder for that long what's going on?

And if he does say he wants to do a biopsy, what does that even mean? I've tried to look it up but the information out there is so overwhelming, it's too much for me.
Does anyone have a simple easy to understand explanation of what doing a biopsy entails?

Sorry this is so long, I just hate this and had to vent. And if anyone has any info for me they think would be useful, thank-you in advance for that. I really appreciate it.

 

[golfgal]

One thing about mammograms and younger women is that their breast tissue is more dense and fibrous so it is hard to get a clean picture. I wouldn't worry about it too much which is easier said then done.

 

[HOGFAN]

OKAY, maybe I can help you out.

an ultrasound will only tell you if a 'density' is fluid filled(cyst) or made up of solid tissue. Solid tissue can be benign stuff like lymph nodes or fibroadenomas. unfortunately, cancer also has a solid appearance. so we are never 1000% sure.

on the mammogram, it probably looks like a node. Most cancers have a spiculated(spidery) appearance. I guarantee if it looked spidery, you would be off to a surgeon.

6 months is reasonable(if you are willing to wait). if it is cancer, 6 months is not going to make a difference as far as prognosis(in other words, its not gonna spread so much to change your outcome). Also, radiologists are sued so much over mammograms, its as much to protect them as you.

If you arent willing to wait, talk to your surgeon about an ultrasound-guided CORE biopsy. it will give you an answer and you wont spend the next 6 months worrying. good luck, vicki

 

[Christine]

It seems that each doctor/radiologist/etc. has a different school of thought. Where I live and the people I see, well, they always seem to biopsy EVERYTHING that looks solid. I have had 4 fibroadenomas. Each one of them has been biopsied with an excisional biopsy (this is where they cut you open and take it out). Yet, I have had other women say that they have had fibroadenomas and they have never even had them biopsied.

My radiologist and surgeon both said that no solid lump can be 100% diagnosed by mammogram or ultrasound.

I honestly think it is a good idea that you are going to the surgeon. He will be the best judge. At least mine was. He did a FAR better job at guessing what was on my films than any of the radiologists.

 

[mommaU4]

Thanks for the responses so far. I really do appreciate it.

 

[snappy]

As was said above, as young as you are, your mammograms are almost certainly difficult for the docs to read clearly due to dense tissue. Couple that with your family history, and the docs are being extra cautious. At my breast center the mammograms are read by two radiologists separately and also run through a computer program. Digital mammograms are what is done here. I understand these may be more accurate.

I actually think that it is a very good thing that they are being cautious although it is scary. The risk of missing a problem is much greater than the risk of doing an unnecessary biopsy. Cost is a separate issue.

Err on the side of caution.

What I did when I needed a surgeon was to talk to as many women as possible, especially nurses, or wives of doctors or women who had relatives who had needed a surgeon for a breast issue. You can get good referrals from your doctors too.

The surgeon will determine the next step, which type of biopsy you need.
The excisional (surgical) biopsy is more invasive than a stereotactic core needle biopsy. The surgeon does the excisional type, at my breast center, the radiologist does the stereotactic core needle type.

Please feel free to drop in over on the Breast Cancer Survivor thread here on the Community Board at anytime while you are going through this for information/support. There will be someone to answer your questions no matter which type of biopsy the surgeon recommends.

BTW, if it were me, I would definitely see a surgeon. If you can find a breast surgeon specialist, even better. Many general surgeons though see lots of women in your position.

Please let us know how you are doing.

 

[PooohBear]

Bump

 

[mommaU4]

Thank-you snappy. I will.

 

[annrae]

You are so right in going to a surgeon to see what he has to say. I never "wait and see what happens" and I had a second opinion when I went for a 6th month mammogram and they found "something" in the other breast but decided I could wait it out. I was so relieved to go to the second surgeon and hear "everything is fine" instead of "we'll wait and see." You are certainly taking steps in the right direction. I will be thinking of you.

 

[Disney Doll]

OKAY, maybe I can help you out.

an ultrasound will only tell you if a 'density' is fluid filled(cyst) or made up of solid tissue. Solid tissue can be benign stuff like lymph nodes or fibroadenomas. unfortunately, cancer also has a solid appearance. so we are never 1000% sure.

on the mammogram, it probably looks like a node. Most cancers have a spiculated(spidery) appearance. I guarantee if it looked spidery, you would be off to a surgeon.

6 months is reasonable(if you are willing to wait). if it is cancer, 6 months is not going to make a difference as far as prognosis(in other words, its not gonna spread so much to change your outcome). Also, radiologists are sued so much over mammograms, its as much to protect them as you.

If you arent willing to wait, talk to your surgeon about an ultrasound-guided CORE biopsy. it will give you an answer and you wont spend the next 6 months worrying. good luck, vicki

This is good informaiton. But for your own piece of mind, have a biospy done now.

 

[Luv2Roam]

I have had mammograms since early 40's, and glad everything has been normal.
BUT, a co-worker who is younger than I, has two young (or pre) teens, and was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. She goes in for surgery soon. (Followed by chemo.)

If I were in your situation, I would much rather feel safe than sorry and go through all the means to be certain. Even if it is nothing you will have a peace of mind. And the doctors will have records and tests to reference if concerns come up later.

My co-worker found her lump on her own, and really by accident. Very lucky she found it when she did. Sounds serious, but treatable.

 

[lisajl]

My DD was 18 at the time, found a lump under her armpit.
Went to the Dr. asap, ended up at a general surgeons office, in surgery that week.
I would not mess around with it.
Definately go to the surgeon, get that second opinion.
It's always better to make sure than to be sorry 6 months later.

Good luck, best wishes.

Lisa

 

[crs7568]

Given your family history, I think that it is only natural that you are worried. It does not mean that there is a reason for you to worry, but it is certainly understandable. It is important to be your own advocate and not wait if something does not seem right. I think that the soft and noncommittal terminology would have me concerned. It is worth having it checked out merely for your own piece of mind. Try not to worry and keep yourself busy. Remember that 98% of the things we worry about never come to pass. It is great getting older isn't it?!

 

[mickeysgal]

So I leave and have been able to think of nothing else since then. I mean, it's either a lymph node or it isn't. How am I supposed to just wait and wonder for 6 months? What if they are wrong??

So I called my doctor today and told her my concerns. She agreed to schedule me for an appt with a general surgeon so he could go over the films with me and then he will decide if it's worth doing a biopsy or not.

I'm not sure what my exact question is. I'm just nervous and wondering if I am doing the right thing by pushing the issue? What if he looks at it and says the same thing as the other guy? That's it's probably fine and we'll check it in 6 months?

Don't they know that probably fine is not good enough? Can't people be dead in 6 months???!!! How could I possibly sit around and wonder for that long what's going on?

I think you've done the right thing by bringing your concerns to your doctor. If you're concerned, worried, and stressed, you owe it to yourself to get answers. When you go to the general surgeon, bring a list of questions and don't leave until you've gotten your questions answered to your satisfaction and that you understand what they're telling you. Best wishes to you.

 

[mommaU4]

I just wanted to say thanks again for everyone's advice and well wishes.

I went to the general surgeon yesterday (wed, 5/24) and one of the first things he said to me was to ask how I old I was.
I told him 34 and he said "Well, they really don't even schedule mammograms for women until they are at least 40."

I was thinking okay, this might not go well.

But he looked at my films and actually decided to schedule a stereotactic core biospy for next wed, the 31st.
So...

I don't know if that's good or not, but hopefully it will give me some definite answers.
Of course I am not exactly looking forward to getting stabbed repeatedly with a needle.

In any case, thanks again for all the replies. I appreciate it.

 

[Luv2Roam]

We will be thinking of you! Keep us posted.