Abnormal initial Mammo: Too worried to wait 6 months

[skubble]

I had an initial mammogram 4 days after turning 40.  I just received a letter stating that there were areas of concern which are "believed to be benign".  They recommend a 6 month follow-up.  The nurse told me over the phone that I had a 1 cm area in my left breast and an 8mm area in my right breast that they want to follow up on.   I asked if this was common and she said no but it does happen!  My sister-in-law had breast cancer so am perhaps overly aware of the disease. I'm trying not to overreact but don't think I can wait calmly for 6 months for the next mammogram.  I live in a small town so am not overly confident about the quality of medical care here.  Would a digital mammogram be a benefit?  What should be my next step?

[carme]

Thanks!

[cyn17]

Personally, I really appreciate your candidness. It's easy to want to gloss over the bad parts of this disease and help make others feel good. The reality is, all cancer and the associated treatments suck! The decisions we have to make, the pain we have to go through is NO FUN!! It's wonderful to have a place like this forum to hear ALL points of view.

[carme]

I was 50, am 53 now. I started at the City of Hope in the trial 1992. Was on it for a little over 4 years. My legs began to swell, so they stopped my drug. After losing all those women in my life, I was tested for BRCA, on my own. My insurance company does not know I have the mutation. We are not protected enough yet by law. I lost that cousin who was 35 when diagnosed and died at 40. Left a 1 year old child. Some of the women out there are put off by my comments...but like I said before, IT'S CANCER, it will kill you. My 60 year old aunt was too vain to go mastectomy despite seeing her mother and 2 sisters with breast cancer. She had a lumpectomy and when the cancer came back 3 years later, she refused chemo because she didn't like the side effects. She was dead in 4 months. My younger sister chose to double mast. after diagnosis in one. She had a very hard time with tram flap recon. but eventually did OK. I chose not to try recon again...I almost died from the infections.

[boninclyde]

I echo peachy48's words also. I would not wait for this to become invasive or have a chance to spread into any lymph nodes. Please get a second opinion.

carme - You have be through some really trying times. Sounds like your mother was a very strong women. How are you? Can you share more about your cancer with me (grade, type, lymph node involement)? Your experience with tamoxifen and how long on it?  How long ago were you on it? And if you don't mind your age? I know, I know full of questions. Thank You.

[carme]

I can almost echo peachy48's post word for word. Participated in the first Tamoxifen trial since I have 3 daughters and a STRONG family history (younger sister, mother, grandmother, 2 aunts, 1 cousin 35 yrs old) Tested positive for BRCA2 mutation. Pondered prophylactic mastectomies for a bit. Had an MRI that showed something nothing picked up and no one else had seen. Had the surgery. They say the Tamoxifen probably kept my cancer at bay longer than my younger sister who did not take it. My mom lived 25 yrs after her first breast cancer, thyroid, colon and second breast cancer. She took Tamoxifen for 5 years after the last breast cancer in 1989. She died of Ovarian cancer in 2001. SHE PUT UP THE GRANDEST FIGHT! NED means "no evidence of disease". There doesn't appear to be a cure yet. DON'T let anyone make you wait. The squeaky wheel gets the grease! GOD bless you, take control...insist  on a breast specialist. Where are you?

[Peachy48]

I say get the ultrasound and if need be a biopsy now. That 6 mo. watch and wait should be done away with. Women have a right to KNOW if there lumps are benign or malignant. I have had many biopsies since age 19-all benign, but at least I knew. I am 49, and have breast cancer that was diagnosed because it finally showed a tiny cluster of calcifications on this yrs mammo. It was NOT seen on last yrs and 10% of BC's are not seen on mammo. They say its been in there 2-5 yrs! Thank God I have a slow growing tumor, but we dont have the luxury of knowing that, so be proactive and take care of each and every lump. God Bless...

[suzi-q]

I say you should follow up on it....for two reasons.  One for your peace of mind and the second to be doubly sure.  In my intitial mammography they found calcifications that looked suspicious and said I could wait and come back in 6 months.  I said "no way" and had a biopsy done.  Thank goodness it was benign.  However, I needed to know instead of waiting.  Best to you.

[CCF-RN,MSN-JS]

Dear skubble:  As this is your first mammogram with nothing to compare to it is difficult to interpret some findings.  Sometimes a more focused mammogram is done using smaller paddles more focused on the areas of concern, that may help to clarify.  However, decisions as to what to do next need to be put into context of information available by viewing the films, physical examination etc.  You may want to seek the opinion of a breast specialist to review the findings and make a recommendation, for your own peace of mind.

[Twocapes]

The odds are in your favor that these are benign areas but you may want to see if you can follow-up with an ultrasound.