question about mammogram and retesting - Cancer: Breast Message Board

plm · 10-05-2004, 05:50 PM

I had a mammogram at the end of August. Doctor said he saw a dense area and would like to compare it to a previous test. I got hold of a 3-year old mammogram and gave it to them. After comparing, he said he'd like to do a special view of left breast only. I went for that today. I had to get a doctor's order to take with me, and on the order, she wrote "ultrasound if necessary".

After comparing today's test, he said maybe it was an overlap in tissue (or something like that), so to come back in 6 months for another left breast special view. Actually, it was the tech who came out and told me what the doctor said. That made me uncomfortable and I said why not just do the ultrasound if he thought there was something suspicious. She was nice, but pretty much said they would only do what that doctor reading the film said.

So my question is this. If he felt there was something that he'd like to keep an eye on, why not do an ultrasound NOW rather than waiting? What if he sees something in 6 months that warrants an ultrasound. If I have something growing in there, it is allowing it 6 more months to grow.

If he'd just said everything looked fine after looking at this special view today, I wouldn't be worried. But since he says to come back in 6 months, I don't like that.

I suppose I could ask my regular doctor about it and ask her to order the ultrasound. Anybody have any experience with this? I'm just thinking of the "early detection" concept, and if this tests needs to be repeated in 6 months, why not just do an ultrasound now?

BioAdoptMom3 · 10-05-2004, 06:44 PM

I can understand your concern because I just went through the same thing in July. However in my case I did need the ultrasound, then a biopsy (thank God everything was OK). One of the questions I asked the day I had the repeat ***** and ultrasound (which also said IF indicated) was should I be worried if I did indeed need the sono? She explained that in almost all cases even if the sono was necessary that nothing serious was discovered and they just wanted a better view. She also told me that the radiologist would read it immediately and she would let me know, or he would talk with me. If the doctor sent the tech out to talk with you and you didn't need the sono I would take that as definately a very good sign that you are fine. Almost always its just dense breast tissue. Only if it appears to be a mass do they do the sono. So, I think I would just try to relax, talk with your doctor and get his feeling on this and go from there.

You are in my prayers.

Nancy

proudmom47 · 10-06-2004, 01:21 PM

That happened to me two years ago. I went in for a mammogram, they saw something that looked suspicious, so I went back for another mammogram (magnified) and ultrasound. AS the tech was doing the ultrasound, she said Oh, I know what that is, it's nothing to worry about. I think she said it was a milk duct or something. Well, today I went in for my annual mammogram and am waiting on the results. I hate the waiting. I guess its because I did have a biopsy ten years ago that was benign and then the suspicious mammogram two years ago. Last year I just said, forget it. and then had one today. I also just came back from my Gyn who examined me really well and didn't feel anything. But I have always had lumpy breasts and my mother did also. But thank God I don't have any breast cancer in my family. BTW, are you the PLM that posted several times last year on the asthma board? I have been wondering how the lung thing was going for you?
Cindy