Indeterminate Results w/ Family Hist.-Concerned

sindee36

Hello All,

Please forgive me if a post like this exists-I did not take the time to read through the message boards as I did not know where to turn and don't want to freak my family out.

On March 31st I went in for a mammogram, I am 36 and my last one was Feb. 2009.  My older sister was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer (Inflammatory and Infiltrating) at the age of 42-so I started getting checked early.  My sister is a survivor-thank God!! We just celebrated her 50th in October!!!!! 

In 2009 my results came back normal, the breast specialist did tell me she saw some calcifications and I had very dense breasts-she told me to come back in 6 months but I got pregnant not too long after that, so I was not able to go back until last month.  Fast forward to today-I got the results of my most recent mammogram and it says there are some undetermined findings and that I need further testing.  That made my heart sink.  Before my sister was diagnosed they had watched her every six months for 2 years and she was told they were calcifications.

I also had a biopsy in 2005 for what turned out to be intraductal papillomas.

Can anyone give me any advice as to what happens next and what kinds of tests they do?  If you have gone through this what was the outcome?  Any advice is much appreciated!     Our family has gone through so much with my sisters diagnosis that I don't want to burden them with any questions or concerns.

Thank you for listening!

Cindy

Edited to add: My sister was never offered a biopsy during those 2 years which has been a cause of great pain to her because she felt it could have been diagnosed sooner.

dlb823

Hi, Cindy ~ Callbacks are pretty common.  Typically, they will want to do a magnified mammogram and an ultrasound, for a better look at whatever they meant by "undetermined findings."  IF they see anything suspicious with either of those, they may suggest a biopsy.  Even at that point, 80% of breast biopsies turn out to be benign, so the odds are very much in your favor that it isn't bc. 

I understand your concern about not burdening your family, but without knowing your relationship with your sister, do you think she would want to know and be there for you?  Many women who have been through a bc diagnosis and treatment find it's actually emotionally healing to be able to use our experience to help someone else.  And, sadly, her experience with a possible delayed dx is all too common with IBC.  I'm so glad to know she's doing well now!    Deanna 

GmaFoley

Hi Cindy - I am new at this but I couldn't go through what is happening without a support group - I have my church friends and my husband by my side through my situation.  I would encourage you to find someone that you can talk to and share your concerns. It takes off some of the stress.

sindee36

Thank you so much for your responses!  I really appreciate it. 

I found out my full results on Monday morning.  They found a nodule in my left breast-upper left above the nipple.  They scheduled me to come in on Friday for a physical exam of the breast, a mammogram of that breast, an ultrasound and a biopsy if needed.  They told me I would be there for at least 3 hours and that the Dr. would look at the films and give me a diagnosis that day. 

I ended up telling my sister and she kind of brushed it off and basically said that if it is something that at least they found it early and that I could just get my breasts removed and get new ones-I have no words for that comment!   I know she means well she just doesn't express herself very well and in her mind what you have compared to her is insignificant-I almost regret telling her.

I told my Mom today-I couldn't take it and she was so calming and reasurring and i know that she and my Dad will be praying for me and the outcome.   I am at peace with whatever that outcome is right now-the waiting and wondering what it actually is is consuming me though.

GmaFoley

I had the same thing happen with my friend - when I told her.  I think that they just don't know how to handle the information and just reacts the wrong way.  Two hours later my friend came to me and appologized for being insensitive.  Just stay close to the people that will support you! I hope and pray all goes well for you!