BREAST CANCER EXPERT FORUM
BI-RAD CATEGORY III

BI-RAD CATEGORY III

I am a 47 year old woman with maternal history of breast cancer.  For the past three years I've been receiving mammograms and ultrasounds of my left breast every 6 months.  It has always been a question on a mass of some sort on my left breast.  The latest (2weeks ago) ultrasound came back normal but the mammogram of my left breast required more views.  I had these completed last Thursday and received results today.
"Bi-rad category III-probably benign findings-short interval follow-up suggested."  My question to you is how serious is this and wouldn't it just make more sense to have a biopsy of this mass now instead of living with fear for another six months?  This six month thing drives me nuts.
If the mammo and ultrasound came back negative I would not mind waiting the six months due to my family history just as a precaution.  If something is there why not just find out what it is now.  Any info or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.  
Thanks,
jvac57
Related Discussions
Avatar_n_tn
Dear jvac57, The BIRADS mammogram rating scale rates findings based on a scale of 1-5, one being negative, 5 being highly suggestive of malignancy.  A three is interpreted as a probably benign finding with a very high probability of being benign.  Short term follow-up is recommended to establish stability.  If for the past three years this area has been evaluated and has remained stable (no change, no growth) that would add more weight to the evaluation of this being benign.  However, if there is concern about if this has been a stable finding, having another opinion and a review of the mammogram results comparing the initial reading to the most recent would be a consideration.
Blank
Continue discussion Blank
Go
MedHelp Health Answers
Submit
Blank
Weight Tracker
Reach your weight goal faster
Start Tracking Now
RSS Expert Activity
1741471_tn?1329053231
Blank
Love, endorphins and biochemistry. ... Blank
22 hrs ago by Michael Gonzalez-WallaceBlank
1684282_tn?1311133646
Blank
Pregnancy and Addiction
Feb 14 by Julia M Aharonov, DOBlank
514494_tn?1329196433
Blank
What's the Best Type of Mattress?
Feb 13 by Adam Tanase, D.C.Blank