mamm

I just went in for a retake of a yearly mammo and ended up having an ultrasound also.  My original mammo showed up with an 8mm clover leaf density.  This happens to be in the area of a prior needle biopsy done 5-7 yrs ago. My history is grandmother who lived with breast cancer till she was 70 and a mother who died from it at the age of 52 a very aggrisive form.  The radiologist after looking at previous mammos(i am 43 and have been having them since the age of 25) said he thought it was  probably  benign and to have a mammo in 6 mos.  Does this sound rediculous considering past and family history?  I dont know what to make of this I am scared to pieces but also do feel I should have a biopsy once more and not wait 6 months. 8mm seems big? and clover leaf shape very abnormal?

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear nassaw:  If you are concerned, you might consider seeing a surgeon, preferably a breast surgeon.  Six months is a long time to live with uncertainty.  It may be better to err on the side of caution.

[surgeon]

most cancers are not "clover-leaf" shaped, rather they are fuzzy and star-shaped; so it's likely ok. But if it's a change from last time, and given your history, biopsy is definitley a consideration. More so if it's what you need to be comfortable. Most shadows can be biopsied by stereotactic biopsy,( which may be what you mean by "needle biopsy.") 8 mm isn't all that big; however, if you will be driven crazy by waiting, by all means tell your doctors you want a biopsy.