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Age 51 Need spotcompression after abnormal mammogram, no children
I had complete hysterectomy at age 24 and went on HRT till the age of 50. I never gave birth to children. Had 7 misscarriages. Have fibrocystic breast. Had reg mammograms for 22 yrs. Although 3 yrs went by before my dr and I realized it was time. I had my mammogram 2 days ago and they called me this morning setting me up next week for spotcompression, sonogram and told me not to worry! Sorry a little late for that. Estrogen only, ( premarin 1.25 for 8 yrs) then 2.5 after removal of other ovary for bout 5 yrs. Then because I was getting older cut me back to 1.25 mg. After being off premarin for 1 yr, I would rather still be on the premarin. If got breast cancer today, I don't feel like I could blame it on the premarin. My question is...Can stoping the premarin after all these yrs cause a change in my rt breast that would show up abnormal? Thanks
Best Answer
If your breast cancer (IF you were diagnosed) proved to be ER/PR positive I feel the HRT would certainly be to blame. It has been proven that HRT has been responsible for many cases of ER/PR positive Breast Cancer. I doubt that stopping has caused the change in your Mammogram, especially since you state that it has been 3 years since your previous imagery. Many changes can take place in that length of time. It's not at all unusual to be called back for a spot compression and sonogram at any time. This could be something as simple as some breast tissue that has folded over on itself. Since all the studies have proven that HRT is definitely a cause of BC I would never advise anyone to be on Hormone Therapy and it's rarely prescribed. Good luck with your Spot Compression; if you have any questions or concerns when you get your results please feel free to post as a comment on this thread. Regards ......
Thanks for your feedback and it's fine for you to use the marble anology. Anything to ease one's mind that goes through it! And no, I will not wait 3 yrs to get another one. I'm using my birthday as a reminder every yr to get one done! Thanks again, for all your support and feedback! This is a wonderful site with wonderful women that care!
Hi, Diane,
Thanks SO MUch for coming back to give us your good news!! I'm so glad japdip was "spot on"
(sorry about the pun!!) with her explanation of what the issue could be! I agree the marble analogy is a good one, and we'll probably use it again if that's OK with you. I'm sorry to hear about your losses and can understand your fears with your own issues---that's perfectly normal.
Hopefully, your future mammos (don't wait three years, OK?) will be clear, but if they aren't, this experience should give you reasons for being hopeful that things can still turn out fine.
Wishing you a healthy, happy future,
nc
Thanks SO MUch for coming back to give us your good news!! I'm so glad japdip was "spot on"
(sorry about the pun!!) with her explanation of what the issue could be! I agree the marble analogy is a good one, and we'll probably use it again if that's OK with you. I'm sorry to hear about your losses and can understand your fears with your own issues---that's perfectly normal.
Hopefully, your future mammos (don't wait three years, OK?) will be clear, but if they aren't, this experience should give you reasons for being hopeful that things can still turn out fine.
Wishing you a healthy, happy future,
nc
GREAT news .. thanks for sharing. That is one of the best explanations I have ever heard for a spot compression. We are so happy to share in your good news .... we aren't always "right" but we've all "been there" in one way or another and do our best to deal with everyone's questions and concerns. Take care now ....
I'm back and with fantastic news! Spot compression confirmed it was breast tissue folded over itself, just as you stated! I've never been so glad someone was right in all my life! When I went in I ask the lady taking the mamogram just what it was they saw? Microclassifications, suspicious area, what? She told me to hold on and she would ask the radiologist who was with another pt. She came back in and said it was a mass. I think I was in another world after that! She could have used any word but "mass". It seem like for-ever before he got to my film, but he did and the lady came back in and said you're good, everything looked real good! I'm like what? You sure? "I don't even need the sonogram"? She said nope you don't need it, he's sure it is breast tissue folded over itself! As I said before, I have fibrocystic breast. She said the best way she knew how to explain it was...it's like holding a bag of black marbles in front of you and you can't tell how many is in the bag or what they look like. But if you flatten the bag out, ( like they did with the spot compression ) you can see each and every one of them! So Needless to say, I was estatic! So thanks again everyone for your support and faith! I wasn't so much worried about myself as I was my family. We have lost two close members of my family in the last six months, my oldest nephew 26 yr old whom was like a son to me. And my younger brother 47 yr old just this past march. I just could not imagine putting my family through any more! I didn't even tell any of them about the abnormal mammogram accept my husband. And of course you ladies, and I'm so glad I did!!! Thanks again!
Hi, Diane,
If I weren't 12 years older than you, I'd say we were twins!! I also developed hypertension after my hysterectomy and now take meds for that---my doctor said it's common when estrogen is
suddenly cut off like that. I'm glad you're doctor prescribed an anti-depressant and it's helping. I'm convinced that the only reason I'm not totally crazy is the anti-depressant! I used to just naturally be a very positive, upbeat, generally happy person---now I have to really work at it!
In spite of that, I still try to look for the positives in life and not let this whole breast issue get me down. However, I definitely understand how so many other women feel and how hard it can be.
I'm glad japdip and I were able to help and we're still hoping the spot compression views are clear.
We continue to wish you all the best!
nc
If I weren't 12 years older than you, I'd say we were twins!! I also developed hypertension after my hysterectomy and now take meds for that---my doctor said it's common when estrogen is
suddenly cut off like that. I'm glad you're doctor prescribed an anti-depressant and it's helping. I'm convinced that the only reason I'm not totally crazy is the anti-depressant! I used to just naturally be a very positive, upbeat, generally happy person---now I have to really work at it!
In spite of that, I still try to look for the positives in life and not let this whole breast issue get me down. However, I definitely understand how so many other women feel and how hard it can be.
I'm glad japdip and I were able to help and we're still hoping the spot compression views are clear.
We continue to wish you all the best!
nc
Thanks to both of you for your support! I resume testing Thursday June 2nd, I will let you know what's up when I find out. Trying to think positive so maybe I can come back on here and put some other women's mind to rest! Thanks again! I also had a hard time coming off the premarin. Like you I tried every over the counter substitute I could find! After developing hypertention, my Dr did put me on ani-depressants, which has put some norma back into my life! I'm thankful for that!
Diane
Diane
Just wanted to add that since you haven't been diagnosed with breast cancer, it's way too early to think about blaming Premarin. There's still a lot of "ifs": if it's cancer and if it's ER/PR positive.
You don't even know if the spot compressions and ultrasound will show anything concerning or it could be the tissue folded over on itself as japdip indicates. She's right that studies have shown estrogen to be the cause of many of these cancers, but you could also have a cyst or fibroadenoma or one of a number of other benigh lesions. So just try to take one step at a time
and try not to get ahead of yourself thinking the worst. I know that's easier said than done, but it really is the best way to go than to worry about "what ifs".
As far as rather being on Premarin, I can absolutely relate. I was only on Premarin for six years following a total hysterectomy at 56 (and I was still having periods once a month like clockwork at that time) when I was diagnosed with LCIS. I went off the 1 mg.Premarin immediately and have had horrid symptoms ever since. I've tried all the non-hormone remedies and none have worked. I would love to be my "old self" again, but I have so many other risk factors along with the LCIS (my sister died at 50, my maternal grandmother also died of BC, fibrocystic and dense breasts, other proliferative changes on biopy and no pregnancies) that I wouldn't ever consider it. I'm one of those women who just don't do well without estrogen, but it's just something I have to deal with as best I can. You might want to talk to your doctor about anti-depressants because they do help some.
In any case, I hope the spot compressions come out clear and wish you all the best,
nc
You don't even know if the spot compressions and ultrasound will show anything concerning or it could be the tissue folded over on itself as japdip indicates. She's right that studies have shown estrogen to be the cause of many of these cancers, but you could also have a cyst or fibroadenoma or one of a number of other benigh lesions. So just try to take one step at a time
and try not to get ahead of yourself thinking the worst. I know that's easier said than done, but it really is the best way to go than to worry about "what ifs".
As far as rather being on Premarin, I can absolutely relate. I was only on Premarin for six years following a total hysterectomy at 56 (and I was still having periods once a month like clockwork at that time) when I was diagnosed with LCIS. I went off the 1 mg.Premarin immediately and have had horrid symptoms ever since. I've tried all the non-hormone remedies and none have worked. I would love to be my "old self" again, but I have so many other risk factors along with the LCIS (my sister died at 50, my maternal grandmother also died of BC, fibrocystic and dense breasts, other proliferative changes on biopy and no pregnancies) that I wouldn't ever consider it. I'm one of those women who just don't do well without estrogen, but it's just something I have to deal with as best I can. You might want to talk to your doctor about anti-depressants because they do help some.
In any case, I hope the spot compressions come out clear and wish you all the best,
nc
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