Recommendations for doctors.just in case

[Imajerk]

Hi,

I'm 45. Premenopausal. Last year I had a routine Mammo/sono done. There was a "dense area" found in my left breast. I got a callback for a spot compression and additional sonograms. I was told all was fine, that the image was just bad, perhaps overlapping tissue. I was relieved.

This year, same area, same breast, density, only slightly bigger area. Went back for the spot compression, additional sono. Sono revealed some "cysts" but the dense area in the mammogram did not move this time for them. Radiologist felt dense area in mammogram was something not related to cysts in sonogram. He said "I don't think it's anything BUT..." and ordered an MRI.  He said "If the MRI comes back negative, it's 99% likely you don't have BC."  

I guess these people always say 99% because they don't want to guarantee anything in medicine. But I sent my GYN a list of questions via fax, regardless.

I don't want to be negative but just in case, I thought I would come here and see if anyone has recommendations for what they consider the best or really good experts and centers in breast surgery and oncology in NYC or Long Island. I live in Queens, NY.  My GYN is affiliated with North Shore/LIJ and so it he radiologist but I don't want to be limited to that if I need help.  I'll also need to see if they fall under my insurance but first things first.  Does anyone have some names they would like to shout out?

Much appreciated and I wish everyone here the absolute best!!!! Thank you!

[Imajerk]

Thanks. Trying to be calm. I do say it's always something but the funny thing is, for a lot of aging people, it's not.

We all age but 45 is not 85 and it's been so many little things popping up lately. My parents are even surprised ( and they're older of course), a my administrator who is 72 makes fun of me for all my doc appointments the last few years. I won't get into them all here.

I was 12 when I had my first period. So it's been 33 years.  Wow.

Thanks again for being so kind.  Sending hugs across the internet.

[japdip]

Yes, as we get older it is always something .... I suppose it's something one has to get used to OR at least more comfortable with. I speak from experience; the aging process is NOT going to stop :(  Have you ever thought about seeking some solution to your tendency to over stress yourself ? I know that good positive thought and attitude can increase your body's ability to become well so why doesn't the opposite hold true as well? Just a thought ..... About the perimenopause issue: young women, and I do mean YOUNG, are beginning the menstrual cycle much, much earlier than in the past and this may be true when it comes to the ending as well. Just another thought .... I'm going to quit thinking now ... stay calm, and vigilant but spend more time on the calm part.  Take care ...

[Imajerk]

Thanks. I won't forget.  But it's always something apparently. I've had off periods lately. 6 days late in March ( I was due the day after a colonoscopy, so I chalked it up to stress, anesthesia and perhaps hormones), then 5 days early in April and now just recently in May.

Years ago my GYN said as long as you are not 6 days early or more you have nothing to worry about. I didn't know what that meant at the time but I told her about this and she said "Hmmmm. Just watch it."  

Having read about endometrial cancer, I told her I have no unusually heavy bleeding, or pain or discharge or other weirdnesses. She said "You are probably fine."   But I know her. She's generally neither an over-reactor nor an under-reactor.

So, great. Now I have to try to NOT stress over the exact day I'm getting my next period or any other little thing. As if it cannot just be something due to perimenopause.

Don't get me wrong. WAY easier than hearing you actually have cancer. But trying to be vigilant can be stressful.

[japdip]

Hey, that's great ..... thanks for the update. "No evidence of malignancy" is the best news ever. Glad you can relax now and think about other things. Don't miss the 6 month re-check though and don't start to panic when the time grows near.     Take care ....

[Imajerk]

Since I started this I just wanted to report back that my MRI came back rated Bi-Rads 3. No evidence of malignancy found. Fibrocystic tissue. Kinetics rising slowly.

They want a 6 month follow up mammogram to assess for stability.

A 3 rating is generally pretty good so for the moment I'm relaxing. Thanks.

[japdip]

Thanks .... see, we're not so lacking in good info. here in our BC Community.    Take care now and keep reading those signs :)

[Imajerk]

That's a really kind and thoughtful answer, as well as wise. You're right. Stress never helps, whether you are fighting something or not.

I have those "Worry never helps" sorts of signs by my desk.  I try to read them a lot.

All my best to you and thank you!!!!!

[japdip]

I say the same thing as your Dad but that only goes so far; just let one of the Docs say the wrong thing or say the right thing in the wrong way and I'm DONE:)  I  have learned to stay and let them know what I think about their method. So far no one has "fired" me as a patient. I know from personal experience that "they" are so intent on doing what's best for your health that they are not really concerned how they go about the task. This is something your Dad has evidently figured out.
I did a lot of prep even though I knew what might be coming. I describe myself as a planner .... I make a plan and then make a plan for the plan.
Just don't let the worry and preparation get the better of you; stress will rob you of energy that you may need later. If it's nothing then let it be nothing and don't forget any one of us can develop cancer at any time whether we are harboring some little abnormality or not. Take a little time off from all the research now, things have a way of falling in place whether we're totally prepared or not.  Take care .....

[Imajerk]

Yes, I've been looking that way. I mean, that was a given. I just thought maybe someone here had done research already on who's the best in certain fields and might have had something to contribute. Part of word of mouth and researching and all.

Personality types not fitting, yes I've had that experience with other doctors already. You said a mouthful. Dad has a doctor who's great in his field but his bedside manner terrifies me. He seems doom and gloom all the time and I scare easily as it is.  Dad says he's paying the man for his expertise in the field, not his personality. I would hate to be scared off by someone who's good at what they do.  In that case it's not about confidence. Just an example but he's not a breast guy anyway so, irrelevant for me right now.

Yes, I do hope I don't need one but I kind of feel like I will. Because, even if the MRI is great news, as I was asking my doctor, how does that tell me WHAT sort of odd item or growth is there, whether it's the sort of thing that could be fine now but turn cancerous later, without a biopsy anyway?

I also asked the radiologist and my doctor about simply removing the area of concern with margins, period. They both said there are risks with that too. What risks there are comparable to risks associated with cancers?

I'm not Dx'd yet. I know I'm jumping the gun but I tend to want to be prepared just in case; not scrambling later when I'm in a panicky state of mind IF there's bad news.

Thanks for watching.

[japdip]

So look online .... yellow pages I mean. Pick the area, search the Specialty. Teaching Hospitals are another good source of available Physicians. You still won't know much about any Physician until you meet face to face; many personality types just don't fit and a Physician in whom you have no confidence is like not having a Dr. at all. Word of mouth is another good source. On a more positive level; lets hope you don't need one .....

[Imajerk]

Yes we have phones but the yellow pages is online here at best. We never get it delivered in book form.

As to internet searches, I was only referring to doctor searches. That's where a lot of doctor information is now, including profiles, history, and contact information. It's also how i found medhelp.com which, I am sorry to say, does not have doctor forums anymore.  But I really don't know people who use the Yellow pages anymore.  

Yes I do speak to my own doctor of course. I'm looking for other doctors though that are affiliated with institutions other than the one my GYN is associated with. Doctors tend to refer people to those withing their own system and that's limiting.

Thanks!!

[japdip]

You do have telephones in your area, don't you ??? There is a huge section in any phone book (yellow pages) of M.D.s under each specialty that exists. Not many Physicians would approve of searching the Internet for information no matter where it comes from. You should be dealing with your own Physicians, face to face when it comes to any medical issue that you are experiencing. I usually advise against too much "searching" on the Internet .... all the information is much too general to do much good for the individual patient. As far as film goes .... I have a hard copy as well as CD of every test that has been done regarding my BC experience and other issues as well. Find yourself a Breast Specialist and stay away from all these searches on the Internet.  Regards ....

[Imajerk]

Okay. True enough about the films ( is film used anymore?).  I didn't think the yellow pages existed these days. But I hear you.  I'll just have to ask and Google around.

Enjoy your day and thanks.

[japdip]

No conclusions can be reached until your films have been read and reports have been finalized. I have no idea about medical care in your area but I would suggest that you make an appointment with a Breast Specialist who may be a Surgeon IF and ONLY IF something suspicious shows up in your studies. You always need to consult a Physician with the specialty that deals with your particular complaint. From your post I don't see that you have done this and it would be a good next move. The yellow pages is always a good source of medical specialties as well as recommendations from your local Hospital.  Regards ....