My sister just recently received her results back from her mammogram. The result came back abnormal because an area on her breast was shown benign. They told her to come back in 6 months for a follow up. She is kind of scared because she thinks that it may turn into something. Have anyone had this kind of problem before? If so, can any give me some advice so I tell her and give her a little peace. Thanks
She needs to get a 2nd opinion. Most likely it's nothing, but I would be a little uncomfortable with them saying it was benign with just a mammogram. A friend of mine had the same thing happen, but her BF didn't buy into that and payed for her a 2nd mammogram someplace else. It ended up being cancer, but if she had waited the additional 6 months it would had been a lot worse!!
I don't want to scare you, but always better safe than sorry!!
I've had several call-backs over the years. Sometimes for a more in-depth mamogram, sometimes for a sonogram a week later -- with another follow up in 6 mo. So far it has always been because of very dense, fibrocystic breast tissue. I'm always thankful that they catch the tiniest thing and recheck to make sure it's not anything to worry about.
I, too, have had many call backs due to fibro-cystic breasts, but never for 6 months. That doesn't mean there is any problem. It's always let's take a second picture now. But that doesn't mean your sister isn't just fine.
If your sister is worried she should get a second opinion. Why be anxious for 6 months? I'm assuming she is just going by the mammography, but she can call a breast specialist. Spending the xtra money may be worth her peace of mind.
I had an abnormal breast mammogram when I was 36. I got a letter from the radiologist that had read the films. They called and scheduled an ultrasound that showed an enlarged lymph node. Everything else was clear. In your sisters instance you don't talk about any follow-up like biopsy or ultrasound. I would think that you needed more information about what was said before you can make an informed judgement. There are indeed benign growths, however I am unsure that those can be labeled as benign directly from an x-ray. I think that you need to have a further work up and encourage someone to go with her to help ask questions. I will also tell you that you should get a second opinion. If it is "something" than you need to know now so you have a broader range of treatement options in an early stage. If it is nothing than it was worth it for the peace of mind. An abnormal finding is rather common and also depends on the density of breast tissue, family history, reproductive history etc. However, I am surprised that no other follow-up was performed. Which leads me to believe that there were some questions missed or an explanation not understood somewhere. It is common for people to stop listening when they hear benign and for doctors to talk gibberish anyways. Benign is such a scary word that is as bad as malignant. So, schedule another appt. with the primary doctor and go with her and have all your questions answered to your fullest satisfaction. And if that doesn't happen then you need to get a second opinion. Don't forget to get copies of the films and the report to go to a second opinion. I would also consider a womens health/breast cancer center or specialist when getting a second opinion. My best freind has cancer and if you want I can get you the name of her clinic. Her doctor is Dr. Robyn Young, oncologist specializing in Breast cancer. And I know the Main office is in Ft. Worth in the medical district but it is a long name and I can't remember all of it. But you are welcome to email me and I can forward it to you.
You are in my prayers,
L.
You didn't say how old your sister is. As you get older your internal breast tissue changes and becomes less dense that is the reasoning of not having a mammogram before 40 unless your family has a history of breast cancer. Since she had her exam and they found an area, they want to keep an eye on it to determine if it changes in size and mass. If your sister feels anything out of the ordinary - hard spot, tender spot, odd sensation from the breast or nipple area like a "let-down" feeling, run to the nearest doctor or breast specialist and demand to have another mammogram performed even if it is out of pocket to put her mind at ease.
I had a spot on a breast that was tender for about two weeks and then it went hard with no feeling and scheduled an appointment and had a biopsy performed. The results were cancer Stage I. I was scheduled for surgery (lumpectomy) and had a round of radiation with no chemo and have not had any return and that was 12 years ago.
But as another poster said, you are your best advocate for early protection and do listen to the gut feeling we mammas all have. May she just have a benign spot and nothing more in her breast. I will keep you both in my thoughts. The other S.
My mom had the same thing happen to her . They told my mom to go back in 6 mos to have a re-check. She however being the cautious woman she is went ahead to a different doctor and had it checked out. It turned out to be breast cancer stage one (thank goodness)!Her new doctor told her if she had waited 6 mos that it would have no longer been stage one and it could have moved to more places. My mother did choose to have a double mastectomy which is not to heard of for stage one but the doctors left the chose up to her. I don't at all mean to be rude or scare you but I would get a second opinion. Some doctors may have different opinions than others and maybe a different doctor could tell her a little more? Good luck and don't give up!!!!
Do get a second opinion as soon as possible. Younger women do have breast cancer and doctors are more likely to be "wait and see" with younger patients. Do not accept that attitude if she has a lump she can feel, or has pain, or other symptoms she can feel. And do pay attention to her "gut feeling" about whether OK or not. She should watch carefully for changes and go back sooner if she has any new symptoms. Early detection is key to successful treatment and to reducing recurrence. Still, as noted earlier, some women do have benign areas and biopsy shows that to be true.
I am a breast cancer survivor. Mine was detected in a mammogram and was very small and early stage at the time. My treatment was over in fall of 2007 and I have had no recurrence. I am older ... but young women are in the cancer support group I attend. Those young women and their experiences are the basis for my suggestions to your sister ... Get a second opinion, Keep watch, and Trust herself and her feelings!
Blessings on both of you ... she is lucky to have a sister to be her ally and share her concern! from Grandma GiGi
My Aunt has never had a normal breast exam. The first time the biopsied something and it was nothing. Well that caused scar tissue so now she goes in to have scar tissue biopsied. Note she still goes and does it simply becasuse what if next time it is something. An iteresting thing would be to find the statistics about how offten that happens.
It may be fibrocysctic. which are benign lumps. i had 2 breast biospys to remove them. i was awake during both surgeries vut very doped up and they numb you very well. i did have one very huge boob due to swelling for a few days afterwards and very little pain. I came home the same day.
She should get a second opinion on the readings - even if it costs her a little out of pocket. Most responsible doctors would encourage it - then she can work on dealing with the info she is given. Oh, and she shouldn't tell the second doctor what the first said, she doesn't want to bias his diagnosis with another doctor's thoughts....
I've had fibrocystic condition since my 20s, and for many years I was on that "every-6-month-mam" cycle. Finally, I decided to quit! There is no breast cancer in my family. I do my own breast checks, and I eat properly, limiting the caffiene in my diet. I have an annual check-up. The medical community has become a big business and uses scare tactics to boost that business. I am not advocating one should NEVER have a mam. Certainly one's family history must be considered. But after too many mams and a biopsy, I decided I was not going to worry about it anymore! I felt if I didn't have breast cancer, I would after being exposed to that much radiation! I'm in my 60s now.
I have had some "issues" with lumps and bumps in my breasts. I found it beneficial to go to the Women's Link Breast Health Center in Plano. After my mammogram, I go directly to ultrasound and meet with a breast specialist all in one visit. I have even had biopsies done the same day. I still go back every six months, but with more peace of mind, since I get instant results at the appointment (although the biopsy results will take a few days). Much more convenient than scheduling many appointments especially since I drive a ways to go there. I did not have this thoroughness when I used to go elsewhere for mammograms. If your sister doesn't live here maybe she can find a clinic similar to this.
