Discussions

 I found a lump on my breast 2 weeks ago today. I was scheduled for a mammogram and ultrasound for last Thursday. After doing 2 mammograms and 2 ultrasounds the radiologist told me what I found was nothing but he said he seen something and wanted to keep a close eye on me. He said he could see the spot in one view but not another. He than said he wanted me to follow up in 6 months. I wasn't really comfortable with this, I just have a gut feeling something is not right. I went to follow up with the physicions assisstant who actually ordered the test. I expressed to her my concerns. She told me that what she read from the reports was that it was just breast density and because of my family history they wanted to look at it again in 6 months. I read the report she received from the radiologists and it said that there was some denisty and that something could be hiding behind it. I also received the letter from them and it said that " the results of your exam shows an area that is probably benign, however, we would like you to return for a follow up study of your left breast in 6 months". I honestly think that something is not right and I am not sure what to do about it. As I said I am very high risk. My grandmother died of breast cancer, her son(my father) has cancer and he had 3 sisterd die of breast cancer within a 5 yr span. Any suggestions or advice would be greatly welcomed.

Thanks,

Ellen

 Ellen,

Did you tell them about your family history?  You need to see a surgeon who specializes in breast surgery.  Ask the doctor about having an MRI of the breast done.  When my mammo and ultrasound could not say for sure what the lump was, they said I should have an MRI.  The breast surgeon I found was a woman who understood when I asked her if she could biopsy the lump to be absolutely sure.  She did the biopsy and I got the diagnosis the next day.

Keep looking for a doctor who will listen.  Your family history of cancers (I have alot in my family also) says that they should find out for sure now, not in 6 months.

Good Luck to you

Deb

Hi Ellen, I would not be satisfied with this. I would see a different doctor with your films in hand. I would also want another radioligist, he sees something and wants to wait 6 months. With your family history, I would find a good breast specialist, Six months is too long to wait to see what "it" does. Don't mess around with these two, there is too much at stake. I don't want to scare you, it may be something simple, but I certainly would not wait 6 months to find out. Some of these lumps, or cysts grow very fast, so please hun, for your own piece of mind get a second opinion. I will keep you in my prayers. Please let us know.

Cajun Lady 

 I believe that you should follow your gut.  That saved my life.  The doctor wanted me to wait 6 more months and I just could not so I went to someone else.  The new radiologist did not like what he saw so he did a biopsy.  Then a ultrasound.  Then a MRI.  He found cancer and I had a mastectomy.  Thank the good Lord for my gut.

I agree that you should talk them into an MRI.  They can tell alot more from that test.

Hope this helps.

His Child

 When there is any doubt, get a second opinion.  I went for a second opinion myself.  My first doctor wanted to do a mastectomy after first saying he would do a lumpectomy.  I was not happy with that and went for a second opinion. I got a lumpectomy, had radiation in April, 2009 and am now taking Arimidex for five years.  I did not want a mastectomy and felt that the first doctor was being too drastic.  I believe I did the right thing but only time will tell if I did the right thing.  I am going for a mammography on July 15.  And will keep up with all the tests.  I also need to go to the gyn doctor real soon.    Take it one step at a time.

All the best to you.

Zena

A second oppinion can never hurt!  That being said remember everyone is different. Don't get to over anxious.

My beast friend died of BC some 17yr ago.  When I came back with a bad Mamo my first reaction was terror!  All I could think about was Jane.  But I took a deep breath and tried to focus on our differences.  It really helps me stay strong through the treatments now.

As it is this is a long fight and long long wait.  Hurry up and wait!  The wait is always the worst.  Take a deep breath and do what you need to do.  Your worth the fight!

 Ellen

Insist on an MRI.  I too have a high history (mother).  Plus I started with biopsies at 34, 39, and 42 all for calcifications.  At 50, I got called back and all he could tell me was that it "looked" like scar tissue from my first surgical biopsy back in 1991 and to come back in six months.  I am no doctor, but scar tissue 14 years after???? I asked him if I could get an MRI; he said if your insurance will pay for it, which they did.  So the MRI was what found it had I waited six months more it would have been bigger (1.1) and allowed to spread.  I think the wait six months is okay for those women who have no history, but when it runs in your family, they should handle this diffferently.  I've since have had bilateral mast. (mostly my choice, but trust me not an easy one).  For I did not know what would have been worst to take a chance and be like my mother who battleled it for 15 years and have to go through chemo numerous times.  My decision was based on fear, but I still have my moments.  As a matter a fact, I saw my obgyn for my annual and told him he told me "I was a very brave women" for his mother in law is looking into her third reoccurence.  I told him I did not feel brave.  I tried expanders and could not handle it.  They make it sould easy, but trust me it is not.  I came across two other women who described it as I did "like a crowbar being pushed into your chest" this was the breaking point for me.  I thought I was going to lose my mind.  Needless to say no expanders for me.  I just want to heal and be myself again where I be like I used to.  Right now I am dealing with tightness in the chest area (something else no one told me about).  One woman told me about myofasial massages which are helping some and also i am doing physical theraphy.

Well my best to you and I do hope you are able to get an MRI and not have to wait.  You will be in my prayers, and I pray that things go smoothly for you.

much blessing

Faith

I have been looking for comments about expanders and yours came right in time. I am 47 with newly diagnosed DCIS on my right. Mine was found on mamography but was not taken very seriously about my family history until now. My maternal grandmother and aunt both had breast CA. Not my mom. I can't tell you how many times I had MD's give me the eye roll because I was not in their risk bracket. I am scheduled for a right mastectomy with prophalactic left but am not sure about reconstruction. I am flat chested, very athletic and have a physical job. I can't seem to find any comments concerning the pros and cons of physically active women and reconstruction. Any thoughts?

 Ellen,

Follow your gut. I told my doctor I felt a lump in July 2008, she said it was nothing, just dense breast tissue. In Jan. 2009 I was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer. I was like you and knew in my gut something wasn't right but didn't follow up with another doctor. I kick myself in the A** now for not getting a second opinion.  Get an MRI it will show more detail that the mamogram. With your high risk status insurance will have no problem covering the procedure. DO NOT WAIT 6 MONTHS.

Let us know how it goes.

Lori

Follow your gut.  If you are not satisfied... you keep on trucking until you get satisfaction.  Worrying yourself sick for 6 months is not healthy.  The physicians work for you... you do not work for them... so if you don't like the answers you get... move on to another on until you have peace of mind.  Hang in there and keep us informed.. bj

Hi I give hope to you that yours is just nothing and it very well could be nothing but on the case that it was if it were me with your family history I would ask for genetic testing before making your treatment decisions. I'm glad now I did.

 Hi Ellen

 Lori, I had a mastectomy with reconstruction surgery the same day it has been 6 weeks and I am still recovering. I do regret the reconstruction. It looks terrible and it hurts. I to was athletic and busy all the time. I can't run anymore because of the pain. I have no nipple and alot of scars. It looks very ailen. It was very difficult to look in the mirror at first, now that I am getting use to it, it's easier. I still cry almost every time I get in the shower. If I had to do over again knowing what I know now, I would not get the reconstruction. Good luck.

 Ellen, with your family history they should be doing something now, not in 6 months. I would be looking for another doctor that will listen. You need to get an MRI. Mine was suspicious in the mammogram and ultrasound. I had the MRI and the dr. immediately said "hmm what the hell is that". I had my biopsy that very day, thankfully because I was getting checked every 6 months. I'm glad he didn't wait and decided to check it right away.

Follow your gut feeling. No one knows your body better than you. Find a dr. that specializes in breast care. Good luck to you and keep us informed.

You'll be in my prayers!

 Ellen.  I would find a doctor who will listen to your concerns.  Because of your family history I think a biopsy would be the way to go.   It might not be anything but it is better to confirm it then to just speculate.  Myy thoughts and prayers are with you.  I am praying that it is nothing but and you can go on living your life.  If you are in the NY area I can give you the name of my doctors.  They were great and really listen.