Yesterday, I went for my first ever mammogram. I have done of few thermoscans over the years, but I decided to get one because the nipple on one of my breasts was starting to look a little droopy. Anyway, they called back today and said that one of my breasts showed a 8mm dense area and the radiologist wants a couple of more shots and will discuss afterwards. The nujrse who called assured me that 20% of women who have a baseline (their first) mammo. get a call back and that even if there is something there it could be nothing to worry about. Well needless to say I am through the roof. Of course this is the same breast I had the concern about. Not only do I worry that it could be something, I worry that I could end up with harmful treatment for nothing.

That is very interesting because I need to get my 1st one. Sending you good thoughts.

did they get a digital image ? if not see if they can ,, what they can see is so much clearer .. dont worry ,, you'll be fine

Yep, it is digital. I just knew this was going to happen. I have been through so many tests in the last year or so and had so much anxiety with each one. I really really did not need this. It is hard not to worry.

I know sweetie.. you'll be ok .. your talking to someone who is going to be a 5 year survivor in december. the waiting is the very worst .. I went from thinking i was going to die tomorrow .. to its nothing im giong to be fine.. thats why we get these tests done.. its so very important to catch anything in its early stages .. your going to be ok..

I had my first Mammo a year ago...had the same thing, a call back and a '8mm nodule'....I opted to wait the 6 months and when I went back it had reduced to 2-3mm....Dr said it could be just inflamed tissue. So I will go back in a few months time to re-check the area.....but when I have an all clear, they won't be seeing me for a while...hate the anxiety and discomfort!

It is prob nothing, so don't worry.

Yep, I had my baseline mammo in the spring (I had already been having horrendous anxiety for about five months by then. . .still don't have the anxiety under control) and had the same thing--although it wasn't a call back. I got a letter in the mail saying it was abnormal and I needed to see my primary doctor. I went to the doctor and she had no idea what was going on, said she hadn't gotten the report. The good news is, they got me in for the second pics right away and went over the results immediately. The following week I had an appointment with a "breast health specialist" who was super nice, did a thorough exam and reassured me that what I had been told right after the mammo was exactly right--a cluster of cysts and a prominent duct--nothing indicative of cancer. I'm going for a repeat mammo in six months and will continue to go every year because I have a family history of breast cancer. Both my mother and her mother had breast cancer, neither needed chemo, and both were long term survivors!

Try to take a breath. It'll be ok.

Ali

I had two call-backs. One where my boob must have been folded over and they said there was a lesion, and one where they couldn't figure out where my scar was from my biopsy. Try not to worry. It's very common to be called back.

they wanted me to undergo a biopsy recently although my best friend (who does my mamograms it really helps ) said she thinks its necrotizing fat from my biopsy, she wants to be more cautious about it then I do.. I said no .. we will just watch it for 6 months because that is what the raidologist recommends. If you want to know more .. you can call the hospital or whereever you had the mamo done and tell them you want a copy of the radiologist report faxed to you .. or have her read it to you .. I remember I hated not knowing exactly what the raidologist wrote down.

I got a call back on my second mammo, the first mammo I had was after I found out my Mom (who I never lived with died of breast cancer at 65). Didn't give it too much thought as she was on the older end for getting it and I really don't have any other family members who have had it. Second one however and I got a call back. I flipped out, I was a hot mess. The radiologist was awesome, I called he spoke with me twice no less and said he really didn't think it was anything he was almost going to skip over it but hey why don't I come in anyways just to be sure.... arghhh!! I had to go on xanax, I was a blubbering mess, I had just got married and was certain it was all over. Seriously, I was kissing my son every second with tears in my eyes (he had no idea what I was dealing with) but he looked at me wierd, lol. I got them to get me in quickly for the ultrasound, the ultrasound girl was kind of an idiot, she was like why are you crying, you don't even know if you have anything... hellllloo.....I'm dying...your sarcasm is not appreciated.... as she is running the whatever it's called over my breast, she says in this bored tone.... "its nothing, it's a cyst".... I said "are you sure"? She is "yeah" but the Dr. has to look at it to confirm. I was given my life back...lord I will do good deeds forever, I will be nice to everyone, thank you lord....seriously, I wish I was exaggerating. I wanted to wring her neck and kiss her all at the same time. So, all was well. Well, I had PTSS from this experience, I wouldn't go near a mammo for 3 years, lol. I finally got one this year and did the same nonsense just from the mammo didn't even get a callback but was sure I would. It came back all clear (thank goodness) I was supported on this board by many women, one who said once you get a few good ones under your belt you won't feel so anxious. I sure hope so, but, I'm still not getting one this year, every other year for me. I do BSE every month. I like you had a year full of stuff that has had me in high anxiety mode. I just need a break too. I am sure you are going to be fine. So so many women get called back for stupid stuff. Just like I did. The Dr. knew it was nothing, sometimes I wonder if it's a money thing, I know that sounds terrible. But, what can you do, when you get that call you gotta get it checked out. Needless to say I am currently on an anti depressant to combat my health anxiety. Still can't go to a Dr. without shaking, but, it is helping me tremendously with my obsessive thinking. Again, you are going to be fine, I am sure. The NP is right, lots of women get called back and it's absolutely nothing to worry about. I'll be thinking of you. Post when you get the all clear. Take care, Mich

just went through the same thing two weeks ago. Got a call back. I had a digital mammo and they needed to take diagnostic views so I just flipped! Suffer anxiety. I have dense breast but being now almost menopaused I thought that the digital would show clearer pictures so I was conviced something was really wrong. So went back and the radiologist was nice enough (in Canada, they don't give your results right away, they are sent to your doctor) to give me my results right away, micro-calcifications (which could indicate the start of a cancer) but mine were begnin from fibrocystic changes. It is not the first time that I go through that but each time it sends me into a panic!!! Especially since the breast where they found calcifications was feeling lumpier than the left one!!!
anyway, eventhough I know that this is a common thing to be called back, especially if you have dense breast, it is hard not to worry about it. I know it is hard not to panic but my doctor told me that they call back one woman out of 4 for nothing serious.
take care
Mrs Buff

Trust me I know exactly what you are saying. There was nothing anyone could say at the time that would shake my fear. I had gone through life overall very healthy and didn't give any health issues much of a thought. If I had an issue I went to the Dr. didn't worry so much about my mortality or the outcome of the visit. This time of life brings all that to the forefront. Peri/meno plays all kinds of games with your mind and your body. It is scary for sure for so many of us. Telling someone not to worry doesn't make them stop worrying. I guess knowing that many many of us went through it and came out the other side ok helps a little bit. What else can you say to a person who is worrying. I know we don't need to tell them to worry more because they got that part covered, right, lol? I worry about constipation for g-d sakes, lol. I am the queen of worry, though getting better at being the queen of "nothing is wrong". I just hope I don't get too complacent. I have to work on balance when approaching my health. I don't want to run into the Dr. for everything little thing and then get a million tests run (which is what they do) for no reason only to be told it's hormones or anxiety. My rule of thumb these days is to give everything 6 weeks, if I still have the issue I go to the Dr. so far this has worked most issues resolve within that time, to be replaced by something else hormonally induced. But, I also need to do the things I should do like my pap smear that is due this year. I'm working on that one. I have no reason to be afraid of it, I never have been before, but, there you go, I am and I worry. I haven't had an abnormal one ever. I did have a visual exam and she said all looked fine, however, she wouldn't do the pap then even though I asked her to since I was already there shaking like a leaf. Kaiser is stupid. Though they did send me a colonoscopy kit in the mail where i could send in my stool sample. Still haven't worked up to that one yet either. Argghhh! I'm also thinking maybe going into menopause brings it's on set of worries, lol. Thickening endo linings, weird happenings. I am contemplating just getting scooped out like ice cream. I'm gonna get myself deflated, no boobs, no uterus, no ovaries, no worries... ok, sounds good in theory but pretty sure that's not the answer either. Anyways, this has been fun...NOT. Have a great day ladies, we are in this together. Mich

OMG I could really have written what you just wrote. It describes me to a T (is that the right English expression? not sure any longer with my brain fog! LOL). It is so tiring to be told all teh time that you are healthy and that there is nothing wrong but every test I have to go to, I shake like a leaf and just cannot stand hearing the phone ring or feeling my cell vibrating (mind you, sometimes it is me vibrating!!).
It is just the worst feeling to be going in to those negative scenario in your head and knowing that nothing you can read or hear can make you feel better. When this will end?
Mrsbuff

You guys are the best. It really helps to hear that so many have had to go back and all was ok. Of course I still may not get much sleep tonight, but at least there is a ray of hope.

It is funny, for most of my life I have felt invincible. Went for a checkup every couple of years, no mammograms. I always thought that since there was no BC history in my family, I've nursed children for a total of six years, never used BCPs, ate organic, etc. that I was pretty low risk.

Then all of a sudden for the last year and a half I have felt certain that I was teetering on the brink of death. I've had MRIs for a suspected adrenal tumor, MRIs for suspected MS, EDG for stomach problems ( I thought that they may find stomach cancer or such), had to have a repeat ultrasound for a cyst on the ovary. I mean when will things get better, I'm only 48? Or does everyone get put through the medical ringer these days?

Michuganna, being scooped out does sound like a viable option some days. Although I hope that no one has to do any scooping out in regards to my breast.

Thanks for your encouragement, I'll take as much as I can get cause it may be a long night.

mrs. buff -- seriously, that is why i have the 6 week rule before I go to the Dr. I have found that most things thus far have resolved themselves. Trust me I have had some doozy weird things, that after reading the boards and knowing what I know now about peri and after running to the Dr. where they look at me like I am insane. I was even "fired' sort of by my doctor after I emailed her and told her that I felt like she was very condescending to me when she said "You know you are a grown woman not a child" or something to that effect and acted like I was an addict because I was anxiety ridden and asked for Xanax. She kept saying "You do know it is very addicting", I told her she shouldn't make assumptions because I had done nothing to indicate i was a potential addict. I emailed and said she has no idea what we are going through and there is no such thing as one size fits all with peri/meno. Anyways, that way I don't have to have tests just to have tests. That's my story and I'm sticking to it, well that and the AD I take which is quite helpful so far. As I have said many times, progress not perfection is my goal.

Ms. A - I was talking about preemtive scooping, I don't want you to have any scooping done because of your mammo, lol. Do you have any xanax handy, that may help to settle the nerves a bit.

I had my first mammo at 39, because the doctor found a lump. It turned out to be nothing but dense breast tissue the machine couldn't see through well. It's good to get checked out in case something is wrong, but I'm betting that you're probably fine.

Well I went back today, had four more mammograms (Ouch) of the breast in question, then an ultrasound and the verdict is that it is a cyst...no followup needed. Boy, am I relieved!!! What troubles me is that I had to have my breast compressed and exposed to radiation 4 more times when they could have went straight to the ultrasound. I asked the radiologist this question and did not get a satisfactory answer. What are your thoughts?

Also, thanks to everyone who responded. You made my day a little easier yesterday.

Ladies-you may like to take a look at this article which is one of many I have found all saying the same thing.

http://www.drbriffa.com/blog/2009/02/20/wo...ut-mammography/

I had my first mammo just over three years ago a few months after my treatment for endometrial cancer. I had a call back and the most ghastly painful needle biopsy-all for a few calcifications. The worry and terror I went through after already having one cancer diagnosis were truly dreadful, as was waiting for the result( which came back benign.)

I just recently was set another appointment for my next routine mammo and I decided before I put myself through it again I would look at all the facts.

The information in the link I have given above is what I kept finding again and again, to the extent I have decided I am not going for any more routine mammograms. I examine my breasts every month as I always have done and I find anything suspicious then THAT is the time to go for one.

The thing I can't bear the most is the fact that many calcifications which MIGHT potentially turn into cancer (but probably will not) HAVE to be treated once found on a routine mammo. If left alone nearly all of them would never progress. Any that do would be found eventually by manual examination and then they can be treated.

How many women have had needless treatments-mastectomies even- because a mammogram has found a precancer (which would probably never progress if left alone)

Of course once they find it-they have to treat it and therein lies the problem.

I have already had one cancer and I am not in the business of denial. I really do believe though that that these routine mammos cause so much unneccesary worry and fear to otherwise healthy women. The amount of times on this very site we have all held our breath over some poor woman who has been recalled for painful tests- only to find it was absolutely nothing.

The few who do have to have treatment-well who is to say if it had not been discovered by routine mammo that it would ever have progressed to cancer anyway?

It is worth looking closely at all the facts before surrendering to uneccesary tests time after time-looking for things that MIGHT happen sometime in the future but most probably will not.

My eyes have been opened and no-one will persuade me it is worth the worry and pain to put myself through any more routine mammos. That is just my considered view. I am sure not everyone would agree.

janet c

Janet,

I'm with you on this one. I actually did extensive reading as well. Also, I went to a hormone Dr. who is pretty well respected and well known (though I personally though he was a bit egocentric -- that's another story somewhere in the archives) However, he was pretty adamant that mammograms hurt more than they help (he told me that he is officially not telling me NOT to get one to cover his @ss, and he marked that in my file, lol) unofficially he did tell me not to get them, he told me that the mammo's compression can cause damage to cells in the breast. He said most of us walk around with cancers in our bodies and our bodies fight them off, than many do not morph into deadly strains. He agrees that many unnecessary testing is done because of them. I also do BSE each month. I probably won't say I will never get another one, my Mom died of it when she was 65, no other history at all in my family. Most likely her's was just a random act given her age etc. He also said to not wear a bra as much as possible to allow the lymph glands to circulate in the breasts. He pissed me off personally for other stuff but his words are supported through other things I have read. He believes that BHRT is the best thing a woman can do for herself, which may or may not be true. I was in panic mode and he wanted to do a pelvic ultrasound after me telling him I just couldn't handle testing before we started our visit. He said he wouldn't do anything I wasn't ready to do. I thought he could still give me BHRT after spending $1087.00 and after he took blood work, but, he wouldn't, which in a sense I understand, but, I told him upfront, why make me spend so much on blood work knowing that about me. Then I couldn't even get him on the phone to discuss my results... ok, sorry sore subject with me...sorry for getting off topic. Anyways, I'm not going through it again for a while. I don't have any microcalcifications, at least haven't so far. I actually did a drawing on a white board of a boob circled with the line through it saying "NO MORE MAMMOGRAMS", lol. However, I am not recommending anyone else take my stance, I am not a medical Dr. I am just doing what feels right for me as I am sure you are Janet. Please ladies make your own decisions with regards to getting a mammogram.

I absolutely agree with you about that Mich. As you say it is up to each lady to make her own decision-but it should be an INFORMED one and the truth isn't getting out there.
I believe there has been such controversy about the validity of routine breast screening that some experts think it ought to be scrapped!
Unless women are aware of the truth many will just keep on surrendering themselves up for these tests thinking they are doing the best thing for themselves (as I did initially) and are shocked by anyone who has made a decision not to go for any more.

It will be interesting to see how things unfold in the next few years!


janet c

I personally despise getting mammograms, but I do get them routinely and will continue to do so. I know many women who have had breast cancer where the tumor could NOT be felt on a self-exam. It's my understanding that it takes breast cancer a few years to grow before it can be felt, and I would certainly want to locate it before it gets to that point. Of course, we are the keepers of our bodies, and have to make decisions on the best possible information available. I agree that medical information isn't always on the up and up or not thoroughly researched, but at this point I'm not willing to take the risk.

If ultrasound is more accurate than mammography - which I was told is the case after my mammogram recall- why don't they screen using ultrasound? Is it the expense?

Ultrasound is not helpful in cases where there is no mass. In the case of Miss Anxiety, I believe they noticed a dense area but no confirmation of a mass. In my case, micro-calcifications with no mass, they need to do closer views in order to magnify what they see to get a diagnosis on the type of calcifications, which helps to determine the nature of them.
mrsbuff

Thank you for clarifying that mrsbuff I was so terrified after mammogram recall for a bright white patch, and so eased by the negative ultrasound. I wondered why they couldn't just do the ultrasound first. I think I get it now, something else with different characteristics could have been missed!