Hello to all!

I recently had my first screening mammogram, as I have is a strong family history of cancer on my mother's side. I have had no symptoms, no pain, no problems, the clinical breast exam was fine, I was expecting a BIRADS 1. Instead I get a BIRADS 0 with a report of "a questionable area of parenchymal distortion on the MLO view of the inferior aspect of the left breast, which may merely represent superimposition of breast tissue or indicate possible malignancy." My doctor prescribed a diagnostic mammogram (compression views). I noticed that the referral slip also contains a standing order for "ultrasound and cyst aspiration, as indicated by reported physical findings or imaging results."


I do not know what to assume or expect. I am afraid of being sick, but I am even more afraid of being involved in an endless series of increasingly invasive diagnostic tests because of my family history.

You would think this would be enough stress for one exam... but no. The Pap smear came back with the maddeningly inconclusive ASCUS. My doctor said that because of my history he will not take any chances and do another Pap smear, but would like to perform a colposcopy and possible biopsies to make sure that all is well.

Oh, and he told me "not to worry" because "most likely everything will be OK".

Help!? :confused: :eek:

I had the exact same type of report from my first mam this past July. Its good that you have had this done and are checking further. You can't be too careful expecially with your family history. However, the chances that it is cancer are extremely low, even in light of your history. When I returned for my dignostic and ultrasound the radiologist explained to me right then and there (I was at that time being informed that I needed a biopsy, which done a week later, ended up not being nearly as bad as I expected and was totally covered by insurance) that the chances of it being cancer even though it was not a fluid filled cyst, were about 5%! Most of the time when it is not a cyst it is dense tissue. That is exactly what I had. So hang in there. The statistics are definately on your side!

I hope and pray that you will get good results from both procedures!

Please let us know what you find out.

Nancy

Dear Nancy,

I cannot thank you enough for your message and kind words... It is so kind of you to take the time to post and comfort me, thank you from the heart!

What exactly is "dense tissue"? I have been googling like crazy for days now, which is so frustrating as I have little data and even less knowledge of all things medical... I do not know what to expect... But I cannot help it as I have another 2 weeks until the diagnostic mammogram and 3 weeks until the colposcopy...

Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers. I will keep you posted of my experience with the procedures and any results I get.

God bless and keep you and your loved ones.


Leda :)

Hi Leda,

I am glad you are feeling a little better about it all!

Dense tissue from what I understand is just masses of thick (probably fatty) tissue within your breast. If that is what it is, it is nothing to be concerned about and nothing will need to be done about it. I am telling you this because if it is not a fluid filled cyst and the mam is still questionable, they will probably want you to have a biopsy of some kind. Don't let that scare you. As I said, the chances even if that is necessary, of it being cancer, are extremely slim! If it is necessary for you to have one feel free to post to me concerning that and I can tell you more about that too. You should be fine though!

Take care and God bless you too!

Nancy

Glad I stopped in to read this. I have a 1.3 centimeter "something" in my right breast. I have been getting yearly screening Mammos for about 10 years straight and this is the first time anything ever showed up. I am 48. I will get the compression mammo and ultrasound on the 15th of Dec and go from there. I am not all that concerned. Stats are definitely one our side. A needle biopsy would be done right then and there at the Breast Care Center if neccesary. What IS driving me up the wall however is the fact that I am having to wait nearly 4 weeks. Something like this and you just want to know. Oh well.

Last year, my mammogram results were fine. This time, I had to go back a second time to have an enlargement screening on my right breast. I was told I had calcium deposits (calification) and was to come back in 6 months to see how things goes. I was classified "probably benign" - No family history of cancer or high risks but it is hard not to worry. I am trying not to think the worse. Does anyone know what causes this? Is this the same thing as dense breasts that they say women get as we get older?

molly