Unnecessary Breast Biopsies

[emma_emma]

Hello, after my most recent Open surgical breast biopsy for radial scar (Dx from Core Needle Breast biopsy), final result being FEA (Flat Epithelial Atypia), Im not sure is I should ever have another mammo or sono again. This is my 4 th biopsy ( 1 for microcalcification, 2 for suspicious mass -only detected ny sono). Im 43, have the typical dense breast, no family history of breast cancer. Am I the only one who have lost faith in this breast imaging system?

[emma_emma]

thank you for your kind response,. and yes, I am thankful. I hope you are well.

[emma_emma]

thank you for your wise and caring answer.

[japdip]

I as a Breast Cancer Survivor also agree with Zouzi .... if you think the testing and the biopsies are a "pain" and inconvenient you should try being told that you have Breast Cancer ... must lose a breast and possibly go through several different types of treatment and then be followed closely for who know how long because there is always a chance that the Cancer may return !! Perhaps you should be having a Breast MRI in the future which might possibly avoid what you are calling "unnecessary" biopsies. This might help since you say that your breast tissue is quite dense.  I might remind you also that you are among many, many women who have gone through the same procedures and are VERY thankful to know that they do not have Cancer.    Regards .....

[zouzi]

Hi,
First of all, I would like to point out that it’s very unwise to think that Mammograms/Ultrasounds are not valuable for our breasts health.Countless women,including me, have been able to stop cancer from progressing by using these lifesaving devices.Believe me,no matter how many biopsies or other tests are required, it's a hundred times better than being told that we have advanced breast cancer…. Fortunately we can successfully beat this disease when it’s caught in time.
Your  biopsy results state that Flat Epithelial Atypia was found. Atypical means that cells have changed from a normal appearance to abnormal and has the potential to become cancerous.It is my understanding that very often this finding calls for an “excisional biopsy” to rule out adjacent cancer.
You don’t say what your Radiologist recommended, but please never lose faith and continue following up as directed by your doctor who obviously has your best interests at heart.
Best wishes…