Do I worry too much?

[stressed]

Hello,

My case is a bit complicated... 2 months ago I had a mammogram and an abnormality was detected.  After the sonography, I was told by the radiologist, not to worry too much about it.  She was quote "94% certain that it's nothing to worry about".  She suggested for me to come back in 6 months.  She also specified that it was also my choice to demand a biopsy for peace of mind which I did later on.  She mentionned that I had to talk to my primary physician for an approval.  The day after, that's what I did.  I contacted my physician's office to ask for a biopsy.  They told me that they would call me back.  They didn't.  No one.  I tought that my doctor would call me to let me know what was the diagnosis and what she tought I should do.  2 weeks go by.  I got fed up and went there and ask for a referral.  They did it on the spot and I also demanded a copy of the radiologist report that mentionned:  probable bening finding.  Now, another 2 weeks, I go see that surgeon.  She tells me that she's not too worry about it.  What does that mean?  I ask.  Can you tell me that you are 99% sure.  She says no, than I say Ok then, let's go for the biopsy.  Another 2 weeks, before I get that biopsy.  The date finally comes, I go inside the room and start crying and all the stress got out.  I have been a nervous wreck all this time, and couldn't take it no more.  Certain, that I have cancer and about to die.  The surgeon tells me that I am to irrational to have the test today.  She gives me some anxiety pills and come back tomorrow morning.  Looking also frustrated with my behavior.  She asked me:  Why I you so worry?  We told you that it was nothing to worry about.  You DO NOT have breast cancer.  I don't?  NO YOU DO NOT!  That made me feel a little better but.... why couldn't she tell me that earlier.  She couldn't because she is still not sure a 100%.  THe week after, biopsy results:  bening breast tissue.  Then she tells me:  I suggest then that we follow it in a few months with a sonogram.  I say What?  You're still not sure?  She says:  No, because I was only able to take one sample of the mass.  I couldn't believe it!  I'm going now for a complete biopsy tomorrow.  I have episodes where I want to just shoot my brains out.  I am so tired of worrying.  I have symptoms of spread cancer now.  Like my underarm lymph nodes are inflammed.  I am wondering if they are enflammed because of the core needle biopsy I had 2 weeks ago or I have advanced cancer.... Should I trust her words.  I don't know what to think anymore.  Am I a hypochondriac.  Please help me make some sense....  Thank you for your time.

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

You are right to worry. Anybody in your situation would worry until they had a definitive diagnosis. That is what you have to continue to press for.

If the biopsy was negative, you should know that. IF it was suspicious, you should know that.

The fact that it was benign means you do not have cancer. Following up in a few months should give you some more relief. The complete biopsy is your answer.

[alice]

I know what you're going through.  I had a very similar situation but I was lucky enough to have an extremely caring, empathetic doctor who understood how worrisome any type of abnormal finding can be on a mammogram or sonogram.  My regular primary care phsyician understood how neurotic I am and when the first questionable mammogram came back it just said to check again in 6 months.  She said if I'm "the kind who'll lose sleep over this" (which of course I am) that she'd refer me to a breast specialist, which I took her up on.  

The breast specialist was wonderful, so understanding and empathetic.  She reassured me that she was 99% sure the sonogram was just showing normal tissue.  However, she understood totally when I called up a month or so later and said I'd like to have a biopsy.  The same thing happened to me as you; the tissue came back as normal fibrous breast tissue but of course the needle biopsy didn't get the complete thing out so it is still possible that there would be something else.  But the needle biopsy gave me enough piece of mind to stop there.  I didn't go for the full biopsy.  Instead I opted to go back for mammograms at 6-month intervals as recommended.  This past one showed that the suspicious area had actually receded in prominence since last time and they're even less concerned about it now.  I think it was fibrous tissue all along and after the biopsy it made scar tissue and now that has faded into the normal breast.  

Try to be positive and not to worry so much.  While the other reply is true, you legitimately have something to worry about, it sounds to me as if you're worrying even more than is warranted.  You sound a lot like me, I worry about every symptom I get.  But so far every time I've worried myself half to death about something it turned out to be nothing.  I've had - in my mind, that is -liver disease, AIDS, breast cancer, melanoma, stomach cancer and colon cancer, which all turned out to be nothing.  I would go have the symptoms checked out (in the latter two cases, by an endoscopy and colonoscopy) and they all  turned out to be nothing, or something minor like, in the stomach case, a mild case of gastritis.  The AIDS test was negative (yes, I had the test), the mole was benign, and my liver enzymes were normal.  So you see, all my worrying was for nothing and I just make myself miserable with these things. I'm trying to have more perspective on these things and not panic as easily as before but it is difficult.

Try to stay calm, and good luck to you.  I hope everything is fine with your biopsy.