WAY OT....Rant about Mammagram UPDATED!!! See first eport at bottom

[Silverbelle990]

First off let me get my age out to all of you befor you read this. I am 26 years old. I went to my doctors this tuesday andto make a long store short she found a mass in my breast. She told me to call and make a mammagram(sp?) appointment. I called all over and no one would do it because i am 26 not 40. I finally found somewhere but I was so pissed. Just because you are not 40 does not mean that you should not have a mam. I was refered by a docotr to def get one done cause it runs in the family but no one would do it. WHY??? Are they saying that i am not......OH i can't even think i am still mad.

I am also terrified. I know it is probably nothing but it is all the what if's that is running thru my head. My family is behind me and i am trying to be so brave but when no one is looking i want to cry. I get my mam on tuesday and then i have to wait for the results. I can't help thinking about the worst. Why me??


UPDATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I never got my mamogram. I went in this morning for one and got a ultrasound. The doctor could not find what me and my doctor had found. I kept showing her but she could't feel anything and nothing showed up on the ultrasound, so i guess i am ok. I will go back to my doctors and let her know what is going on. Thanks to all my disney Friends here. You support was greatly needed and very helpful. Disney friends are the best to have.

 

[all4fun]

Oh, I would be mad too! I'm glad you found someone who would finally do it, although I don't understand if you had a drs referral what their problem was.

I hope it all comes back negative! That is scary and I would be scared too.

{{{{{big hugs}}}}}}

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I'm glad you are having one done, and sorry you had so much aggravation trying to get an appointment. Yes, young women can and do get breast cancer. Hopefully it's nothing that serious. Feel free to join us on the GAGWTA thread if you want some cyber hand holding while you wait, or if you need help navigating through information. We've all played the waiting game and know what a difficult time it can be.

 

[dis-happy]

Hugs, and I hope you get a reassuring report back from the doctor very soon.

FWIW, I was 28 when I found a lump in my breast too. The doctors explained to me that they try not to do mammograms before the age of 30 because the mam. itself increases the risk of breast cancer at later ages. So basicially there has to be a compelling reason to do it. For me I had just finished being treated for another totatlly unrelated cancer and the fact that I had a new lump made them agree to do the mam. and a follow up biopsy to make sure. It ended up being nothing. However, now that I am 40 I am vigilent about tests. You should also have a baseline done at 35.

Since breast cancer runs in your family you should find a doctor that specializes in monitoring and preventive care of this. Also, get informed for yourself. You are and always will be your own best advocate. HTH

 

[JaneH]

Have your doctor write referral so that you WAIT while they read it.

There is nothing worse that waiting and/or receiving the letter/call that you have to come back.

 

[5Slays]

My thoughts are with you.

But FWIW, when I was 26, I found a lump in my breast also (but mine were very sore), so I had to have a sono and a mamogram. Turns out I have some type of fibroid issues in my breast tissue. Nothing serious, but if the fibroids get larger or more painful, I will have to have them removed.

 

[Silverbelle990]

Thank you guys soo mcuh. It is funny how you don't notice anything is wrong til it is mentioned. This morning i was having pains where the lump is. I am sure that i would never have had any but now that i know it is there that i can feel it. I am trying really hard not to think but i bet you know how that works. Thank you all for the support even from total strangers I feel like i am not alone.

 

[PaulaSue]

I am So Sorry you are going though this. For me the office set it all up for me. Hope you get Good results.

 

[dianemb]

I work in a mammo dept and I'm not sure the office can deny you a study because of age. Maybe your insurance can. I would also call around and get a digital mammo which is a step up from a regular mammo. Ask if the site has an on site radiologist. Where I work we have a breast diagnostic center with digital mammos, ultrasound and biopsy rooms. You may need to call several places before you get what you need. I don't work in a huge city hospital either so it's not always the size of the facility that has the best to offer. Best wishes and good luck.

 

[lovethattink]

I've had two mammograms, but from finding lumps while in my early thirties. On each one, they did an ultrasound too. It wasn't ordered by my doc, but the people at the hospital said they do this when it's an early mam and a lump was already found. In both cases mine were benign and nothing to worry about. In fact, I was told to avoid all caffeine and they went away.

 

[sara74]

I had 3 benign breast lumps removed when I was 19 years old and have never had a mammogram. The reason that they are not typically performed on younger women (and yes, 26 is still considered young ) is that the breast tissue is much more dense in younger women, making a mammogram harder to read and possibly giving false results.

My experience was that my MD skipped the mammogram due to my young age and went to a needle biopsy - sounds bad but it really was fine! When the results of that were benign I was given the choice to keep the lumps or have them out. I had them out since they were painful.

I wish someone had explained their reasons to you for not wanting to do a mammogram on you, but I would bet that the person answering the phone doesn't know exactly why they won't do them, they just know it is office policy!

I'll be thinking of you, and wishing you the best. Sending good vibes to you!

 

[Deesknee]

Prayers that all is turns out well.

 

[Silverbelle990]

Thank you all for taking time to inform me, I am still upset about it all but now i am just scared for tuesdays appointment. We went to a Rascal Flatts concert last night...the best concert......and they sang Slin (sara beth). I hope you know what i am talking about. Well my DH grabbed me and held me tight during the song and i got all teary. I think he is scared and is trying to brave for me. He is so sweet. He has been really extra atentive. Hmmmmm...if i didn't know any better i would think he wanted something. Sorry for my poor humor, I am trying to think up about all this.

 

[LaraK]

I had a cyst in my breast when I was 24...I had the mammogram, but they couldn't read it and had to do an ultrasound (the tissue was too dense). I wish you the very best and hope your results are as benign as mine were.

 

[TJ's Mom]

Silverbelle - I am so glad that you are getting a mammagram. I am afraid that many women would have just got frustrated and decide not to get one. Some doctors and others in the medical field can be pretty ignorant. Breast cancer does happen to young women. I was 32 when I was dignosed. That being said, more than likely it is a cycs but it is always best to get it check out. Like one of the earlier posters said, it is hard to see things on mammagrams for young women because their breasts are dense. Do not be surprised or more stressed if they want to do an ultrasound too. It will just help to "see" things better not that something is wrong. Also, find out if it is a site that offers digital mammagrams. They do a better job - especially with dense breasts. I will keep you in my prayers. Keep in touch.

 

[Sha]

Glad you all are so active in checking selves and getting mammograms etc.
Yes, young breasys are more dense, but the mammograms are getting better and better on a lot of levels is being able to get better pictures/views.
I have 2 different types of breast cancer on my moms family... she was Dx 3 yrs ago on Halloween and will be 3 years clean on 11/13!!!