2nd opinion or not? - Cancer: Breast Message Board

supermom3 · 04-17-2009, 12:20 PM

Hi!

I have unexplained breast pain (in the left one) off and on since 2005 - after numerous ultrasounds, mammos, exams, etc., there hasn't been an answer to the pains.
I saw my gyno the other day and she suggested getting a breast specific gamma imaging test done (aka BSGI) and I had it done - the radiologist showed me the pics afterward and explained that one spot that showed up on one of my breasts was just fibrocystic glandular tissue - he was going to report "normal, premenopausal" - I am 43, so this makes sense to me, but I still left there not feeling reassured!
My husband and I (I drug him along for an extra set of ears!) met him yesterday for a consult, and he showed us my past ***** pictures, and pics of other women's bsgi's that did have cancer growths to show me the difference - he felt bad that I was having anxiety about it and said "I probably shouldn't have even pointed the spot out in the first place." I had told him that I went home Wednesday obsessing about the spot even though he told me it was nothing to worry about! (I do suffer from OCD and health anxiety!)
I guess I'm writing this thread to ask if any of you were in this situation, would you trust this radiologist (who has over 20 years of breast imaging experience!), or get a 2nd opinion? They are routinely sending my gyno a copy of the report and pics of the bsgi -
Any thoughts would be great!

supermom3

herekittykitty · 04-17-2009, 04:09 PM

While I hesitate to tell someone they don't need a second opinion (I generally feel a 2nd opinion never hurts), I don't think I would get one if I were in your shoes. But, if it would give you peace of mind, then go ahead. Peace of mind means a lot. It doesn't sound like you have anything to worry about though.

supermom3 · 04-17-2009, 05:47 PM

Thanks!

supermom3

Loreal · 04-18-2009, 11:40 AM

If getting a second opinion would give you reassurance, then by all means do it. If it were me, I would trust the radiologist who read the *****, especially since he took the time to speak with you and showed you your films.

I know that sometimes that is not enough and hearing it from someone else gives you confirmation as to what you want to hear. Do what's best for you.

supermom3 · 04-18-2009, 02:08 PM

Hi Loreal!

I appreciate your response - I do have health anxiety, and one of the problems is never being reassured enough! I don't know if that makes sense, but from what I've read on the subject, and from what my therapist tells me, reassurance can actually backfire! It helps, but only temporarily - days or weeks later, you want to be reassured again and again, etc. It's like an addiction.

Also, at this imaging facility, they actually read the images a total of 3 times! (The radiologist who initially reads it while you are there reads over it a 2nd time, and then another radiolgist reads it - so I guess that could be considered getting a 2nd or 3rd opinion - ???)

Thanks!
Bonnie in Oregon aka supermom3