reliabilty of mammogram

Question

Hi i have a history of benign breast disease in my right breast(previous needle biopsey done)with a new lump discovered recently.I was not concerned by that too much.
What does concern me is that at the end of last year my left nipple became very itchy for a few wks. When checking myself recently i noticed that the skin around the left side of the nipple area is very puckered/wrinkled.When i squeeze the nipple green discharge comes from one duct only.When i raise my arms above my head there is some dimpling of the breast(looks slighly swollen/mishapen)near the clevage,also some puckering of the skin on the actual breast bone in the same area.The nipple is now starting to turn towards the left and is not so errect as the right. I went to a breast specialist who noted some thickning in the left upper/inner quadrant(that was not there a few mths ago)and commented on the puckering.As no definate lumps were found he ordered a mammogram which has come back "with no worrying features".
My question is how reliable are mammograms?. I am 48 with a family history or both ovarian and breast cancer all under 50yrs.
Should i go back to my gp(i am from the uk) or just forget it and get on with life?.
Many thanks for your time.Dawn

FORUM-RN-RF · Answer

Dear dalip: When an abnormality is found, such as a lump or dimpling, the general rule of thumb is that more investigation is needed. Nipple disharge is not uncommon, particularly when the nipple is squeezed. Mammograms are a good test, but not a perfect test. In light of the abnormalities you describe, it may be worth a discussion with your doctor to see if any additional investigation is warranted, without breast examination, and review of the mammogram, we cannot speculate on what this may be.

gia814 · Answer

Mammograms are a great tool but no test is 100% accurate. Some stuff just doesn't show on a mammogram too.  I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact the surgeon didn't recommend anything else.  Just because a mammogram is clear doesn't mean you ignore clinical findings. 

Again, I'm not a medical professional so I don't really know what might be going on, but definitely go for another opinion or have your GP recommend someone else.

dalip · Answer

Thanks for that.I'm not sure if i should just put it down to age!.I just want why it's only on the one side explained.I am more worried that something may be missed than bc itself, as i know that survival rates are high if found early enough!
What other explanation could there be?.Both my husband and daughter have said it's very noticable,so no topless bathing for me ths summer!.Dawn

gia814 · Answer

Again, I'm not the medical professional here but I'd certainly go for a second opinion from another surgeon or breast specialist.

dalip · Answer

yes i agree,thats why i was so surprised not to be called back. I have a problem being asertive with professionals so tend to say "yes sir no sir" then kick myself afterwards.I have gut instinct with this that something is not right(had them before and been right on 2 occasions)but tend to be timid in these situations!Thanks for taking the time to reply.Dawn

gia814 · Answer

Some of them can indeed be very intimidating.  I've learned over the years, however, to just stand up for myself.  The outcome is ultimately more important to me than it is to them.  My life will be the one affected.  Just remind yourself they're only humans too and no more important than you!

For the most part, in my experience, I find female doctors much more willing to listen to concerns and answer questions.   Nothing against male doctors; there are some very understanding ones out there.  Women docs in general just seem more willing to listen in my limited experience. So maybe if you have a choice, try visiting a woman doc next time.

reliabilty of mammogram

You are reading content posted in the Breast Cancer Forum