What should I do next?

[LAUIE]

I recently had approximately 14 mammograms and 2 ultrasounds on my breasts because they saw both macrocalcifications and microcalcifications.  The report I received from the hospital said that they "felt the calcifications were benign" and they recommended I have a follow-up mammogram in 6 months.  Should I feel comfortable with this, - should I have another mammogram done in 3 or 4 months- or should I get a second opinion now?  What would you do?


This discussion is related to Microcalcification.

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

How are you doing now? What is your age and the specific symptoms that you are having?

What have you finally decided?

Keep us posted and let us know if you have any doubts.

Regards.

[Kelleen]

I don't want to be an alarmist but feel compelled to share my sister in law's story.  At age 39 she also was told to have a follow up mammogram in 6 months.  She was not comfortable with this and insisted on a biopsy.  Turns out it was positive for ductile in situ  carcinoma.  You have a say in your care and should feel comfortable with communicating to your care providers what your wishes are.  By the way, that was 16 years ago and she is still cancer free.  Who knows how the outcome might have changed, had she waited.

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

You should trust your radiologist and specialist , but if you are not convinced you would not be wrong in taking a second opinion.

You could wait 6 months and get a re-evaluation done to see for any change in size or shape of the lesions.

Till then you need to carry out regular breast self examinations and report any abnormal findings to your doctor including breast lumps, nipple discharge, or skin changes etc.

Let us know if you have any other doubts and keep us posted on how you are doing.

Hope this helps.

Regards.

[japdip]

I'm guessing you mean 14 views rather than 14 mammograms. Several views are taken with each mammogram and often additional views are requested by the Radiologist to clarify something. Was a BIRAD score assigned to your films ?? If a 6 month follow-up was recommended then that's what I would do. If you are extremely uncomfortable with the 6 month wait you might request that your films be read by another Radiologist. I personally would be OK with the 6 month recommendation but that is entirely up to each person.