Advice for Close Monitoring

Sybil

Just this November, at my annual mammogram, micro-calcifications were found.  This led to a core biopsy which revealed ADH and LCIS. I had a subsequent MRI which revealed nothing further and my surgeon did an excisional biopsy of the lesion of ADH.  While I'm negative on the BRCA genes, my mother died young of ovarian cancer so I'm obviously at high risk. I've read here and elsewhere that that means I should be "closely monitored," yet my surgeon just tells me that means an annual mammogram.  While I'd also have an annual gynecologist's visit that would happen 6 months from now, I'm wondering if that's enough.  I read of women having MRIs instead of mammograms---having MRI's, mammograms, or ultrasound every 6 months.  Any advice?    many thanks---

chris38

Hi Sybil,

My name is Christine.  I was diagnosed in january of this year with the same diagnosis. Like you i was VERY so concerned.  I went to SEE 6 doctors including sloan and they all said the same thing.  LCIS is not considered a CANCER its a pre-marker to getting BC 20% over 20 years or longer OR NEVER IN YOUR LIFETIME!.  If you have a huge family hx and were positive for the BC gene they would think DIFFERENT AND MAYBE CONSIDER PMS but in my case they totally thought it was too extreme.  I am a nurse and i do know there are many side effects that also come with tamifoxen that they also mentioned to me its supposed to help maybe slow down things but thats not even a proven fact to help by 50% and thats not a sure thing.  I have a wonderful BS and i have my trust in him.  The montioiring gets better after a while.  He told me they montioing every 6 months will keep us on top of things in case of ianything ever was to happen it would be in an early stage.  Its hard to come to peace with this but you do.... Please private message me so we can talk further.. would love to talk more with you. HAPPY HOLIDAYS.... Chris38

Anonymous

sybil----I was diagnosed with LCIS  6 years ago and also have family history of bc (mom had ILC); even with the  increased risk of that combination (oncologist gave me a 36.6% lifetime risk, but admitted it was only an estimate, in reality it is probably higher) all my doctors felt a BPM was too drastic. I did tamoxifen for 5 years and now I continue with high risk surveillance of alternating mammos and MRIs every 6 months, breast exams on the opposite 6 months, and now take Evista for further preventative care. Not something everyone would chose, but it works for me.  My oncologist said if I was worrying, awake at night losing sleep over it, or it was affecting my quality of life, then PBMs would be the route to take. But I'm not, and it isn't, so I'm OK with my choice. If I ever have another serious issue requiring biopsy/lumpectomy, then I would reconsider. Feel free to PM me with questions if you'd lilke to talk.

Anne