nodule found in left breast---very upset

[LLWB]

First time on this forum. My mother had breast cancer with a mastectomy, so I am faithful about having mammograms. I had mine on Dec 4, and received a letter from the imaging place that an abnormality that requires further evaluation was found. ., and to please call my PCP immediately. When I called, I was told that I had a  nodule/lump in my left breast. It also said it was unchanged from the last 3 years mammograms. WTF!!!! No where in the copies from the past 3 years is ANY mention of a nodule/lump mentioned!!! I asked the nurse to check her copys, which she did, and she agreed that there was no mention. I called the imagining place, and an ultrasound is scheduled for this Friday.  I told her that when I was in, I wanted to speak with the radiologist and ask why this had never been mentioned before. So said''''''Uh, okay""" Don't ya love brain dead receptionists?

A couple of questions......Is an ultrasound done by a radiologist or a technician?  Will I get the results right then? How long will it take?   I went thru surgical menopause when I was 31 (62 now) and took HRT for a number of years as the thinking then was to prevent loss of bone density. When more studies kept showing the possiblity of that leading to breast cancer, I stopped.  Probably haven't taken them for at least 15 years now. Will having taken them previously still increase the chance of breast cancer?

Thank you for any help you might be able to give me.

[LLWB]

should have read cm not mm!

[LLWB]

Thank you for your reply. My ultrasound went well today. The ultrasound showed one larger cyst 4.4x8.4mm, and a cluster of smaller cysts. But none had fuzzy edges or showed any blood vessels in them, so I was "assured" they are benign.  At least now I will know to keep an eye on them. I live in a very small town, 16,000 people, and there are no breast care specialists here.  Actually, there are only 3 full time PCP's! But in the furture I won't hesitate to go to a larger town if necessary.

Again, thank you for your reply.

[skye66]

The technician will do your ultrasound and then the radiologists will come in if they have found something they thinks needs to be further evaluated. I recently had my mammogram and an ultrasound the same day (because I found 2 lumps)  The radiologists came in after the ultrasound to inform me of the findings.  They also gave me a copy of my films right then and there.

My mother died of breast cancer and my older sister (now 53) got breast cancer at the age of 39. She is alive and well with no reoccurance.  Through all of this, I have a breast care specialists I see every year after my mammogram just for precautionary measures.  I would suggest you look into having one yourself.  Good luck. Keep us posted.