Mammogram/breast cancer ?

[scooterbug44]

A friend recently got a mammogram and had to go back because they found something odd, but didn't have anything to compare it to (it was her first one because she'll be 40 soon).

After several hours in the doctor's office, another mammogram and several ultrasounds they finally decided it was nothing to worry about and said to check back in 6 months or so.

I don't know ANYTHING about the whole process and wanted to get feedback because it seems weird and I don't want her to have issues because she wasn't aggressive about it.

1) They scared her spitless and had her immediately come back in even though that meant they weren't doing the test at the best time of the month (which apparently can mess w/ the results), then decide not to even follow-up for 6 months or more? I would expect a shorter time frame.

2) She's not exactly flat chested so I am concerned that her just monitoring it might not be effective.

3) There is a family/personal history w/ cysts and breast cancer.

Wenches, Skunky

 

[rapunzel]

I'd encourage her to follow up with a physician. She needs to let the physician know she doesn't understand the findings. There may have been a shadow in the first films that turned out to be a fluke and didn't appear on the second films, but that is something they should have explained to your friend. On the other hand, it could have been inconclusive and they decided to err on the side of waiting because breast cancer grows pretty slowly (it's usually been growing for two-four years before it can be detected with a self exam) -- which is not freaking acceptable.

No one should ever be left to wait six months without a clear understanding of the findings. That's torturous. There is a such thing as customer service in medicine, and sometimes we have to gently remind medical providers of that fact.

I'll be praying there was a bit of dust on the plate, but encourage her to ask for clarification!

 

[Beach Runner]

That's happened to me several times and scared the you-know-what out of me. What had happened is that in the compression, the tissue had folded. I went last Monday, and they had to do a few re-do's plus an ultrasound. Everything was okay. It turned out that the technician had not positioned me properly.

What I like about the where place I go in Atlanta (Breast Care Specialists) is that they do the tests and give you the results before you leave. That way you don't have to be scared for a week every time the phone rings, and you don't have to go through a scary wait for a re-do since everything is completed before you leave. Yes, it takes a few hours, but better than waiting weeks for final results.

 

[shakennotstirred]

I think call backs are fairly common. I had to go through one years ago & it is scary. I didn't have to go back for a year after my call back.

However, if she is not comfortable with the 2nd mammogram results, perhaps she should get another opinion. A friend of mine didn't trust her doctor's advice "that it was nothing". Breast cancer ran in her family so she went for another opinion & ended up having a mastectomy & undergoing chemo. Better safe than sorry!

 

[kathydwells]

Well, I will tell you my story. My mother had a mammogram and it showed nothing. Her sister had passed away from breast cancer. About a week after my mother's mammo that showed nothing, she herself felt a lump. That is when they decided to do an ultra sound, which showed something. After a biopsy a week later showed cancer, she had a complete mastectomy. So being proactive is sometimes what you have to be. I had a mammo that showed "something", my doctor immediately sent me to have an ultra sound, that did not find anything. I would tell your friend to get a second opinion if she feels uncomfortable with having to wait 6 months. Just my opinion.

 

[scooterbug44]

To clarify, there's definitely something there per the multiple mammograms and ultrasounds, they just don't know if it's a bad thing or a benign cyst, so they say wait 6 months.

I'm pushing for a 2nd opinion and a biopsy, but wanted feedback because I don't know what is "normal".

 

[shakennotstirred]

To clarify, there's definitely something there per the multiple mammograms and ultrasounds, they just don't know if it's a bad thing or a benign cyst, so they say wait 6 months.

I'm pushing for a 2nd opinion and a biopsy, but wanted feedback because I don't know what is "normal".

If that's the case, I definitely would not wait six months. If it is cancer, the earlier it is caught, the better. Good luck to your friend!

 

[kathydwells]

To clarify, there's definitely something there per the multiple mammograms and ultrasounds, they just don't know if it's a bad thing or a benign cyst, so they say wait 6 months.

I'm pushing for a 2nd opinion and a biopsy, but wanted feedback because I don't know what is "normal".

If they know something is there, then I can't believe they are not going to do a biopsy!!!! PUSH for that second opinion!!!!!!!

 

[Beach Runner]

To clarify, there's definitely something there per the multiple mammograms and ultrasounds, they just don't know if it's a bad thing or a benign cyst, so they say wait 6 months.

I'm pushing for a 2nd opinion and a biopsy, but wanted feedback because I don't know what is "normal".

I agree. If the ultrasound is inconclusive, I wouldn't be willing to wait six months unless more testing were done.

Four years ago after a re-do and ultrasound, they did a other tests. They showed up negative. I returned in three months, and everything was normal.

 

[Sheila]

My breast cancer was found on my baseline mammogram. There was no lump, just a scattering of calcifications. I agree with Punzy on this one. She should contact her physician or get a second opinion. Hopefully, it is nothing to be concerned about.