Are MRI's common 6 months after lumpectomies?

shabby6485

Hi to all 

Had my 6 mos follow-up mammo after two lumpectomies for microcal's. (Came back b9 but with a small area of atypia).

I  was told mammo looked good but now my surgeon says I should schedule a MRI. Is this common practice ? I have dense breasts and my Mom had BC.

I am scared. 

sushanna1

MRI's can be better than mammograms at picking up certain types of abnormalities in dense breasts.  Your doctor is probably just being extra careful.  If my memory is correct, I have had three MRI's (four if you count an MRI-guided biopsy.)  While an MRI takes longer than a mammogram, it doesn't hurt and and with luck will provide additional reassurance that your breasts are OK.   Good luck and don't worry. 

Sue

PSK07

It's easy to be scared.  

I was put on an alternating schedule of mammograms and MRIs after my DCIS dx last year, I was told this would be the case for 3 years.  My MRI in August (first one since surgery, mammo was ok in March) found enhancement in a spot biopsied and found b9 last year. Found to be "only" LCIS and ALH, but enough to be on the same alternating 6 month schedule for some years to come.

Each one can pick up different things, especially in dense breasts, and it my case it was a good test to have. Try to time the MRI to days 5-10 of your cycle to reduce false positives.  It's all part of the joys of BC and its precursors. 

take care. Odds are good that it will be a big non event.