14 months between Mamos - Cancer: Breast Message Board

California Ann · 03-30-2009, 06:17 PM

Hello,

I am new to this board and looking for some feedback. I have my mamogram faithfully every year. This year it was 14 months between them. You know the rule, you can't have it one day before the 365 days or the insurance won't pay. Well with my schedule I just couldn't fit it in. Anyway last year I had a painful right breast. The FNP didn't find anything (me either) and my mamo was the same as always. Well when I went in last week for my annual exam I told her I wanted an ultrasound instead of a mamo because I now have a lump and it hurts.

During the test I asked the tech if she saw anything and she said yes you do know that they are going to want to stick you (biospy) and I also had to have a mamo anyway and extra views to boot. Well they told me they thought it was cancer and I needed a biospy asap. This was Friday afternoon, I had the biospy this morning (Monday). I may have results by tomorrow but staging results at the end of the week. Now I can't even make an appointment with a surgeon until the results come back. I am scared out of my mind. I am not going to let it get the best of me. I just want to get on with whatever I need to do to beat this.

My questions are? Is 14 months so long that it could be untreatable? Has anyone else had this type of time frame?

Thanks for listening,

Ann

shyloe · 04-02-2009, 08:57 PM

Hi, no don't worry about it (easy to say I know). I was 12 months between mamograms and they found I had DCIS, it was not visible 12 months previously. I had a mastecomy and it was found to be extensive throughout my entire breast but thanfully not invasive, so it was completely treatable with the surgery and radiation.

A lady I know (friend of my mothers) found a lump 6 months after her mamogram (not visible then) and she had a lumpectomy and radiation and it was successfully treated.

Another scenario I've heard is a lady that ignored a lump for many years and was successfully treated.

There are no rules to this process, its always different for everyone. Stay calm, wait for the results and remember to laugh. It will get you through so much.

Good luck...

California Ann · 04-02-2009, 10:52 PM

Shyloe,

Thanks for your words of encouragement. I now know it really is cancer. I am not sure what my options are yet. I guess I will have a lot of learning to do in the next few weeks.

Thanks,

Ann

vh90453 · 04-03-2009, 05:38 AM

I'm sorry to hear of your diagnosis. I'm in Australia, we are told to have mammos every 2 years and to have the Doc check for lumps in between as well as self checks once a month. Our Breast Screen programme admits to missing 10% of cancers. Mammos aren't perfect where ever you live. Your cancer may have been present at the time you had your ***** but not picked up. I pray yours is early and you are cured. All the best.