LCIS/ALH multiple biopsies....thermography?

yolo

Hi, My name is Jen. Been awhile since I've posted here. I'm 41. Four years ago I had my first mammo and consquently my first excisional biopsy. Conculsion was LCIS and ALH. Took the wait and see approach with alternating mammos/MRIs. Last year I had another excis biop which returned ALH, no LCIS this time around. This week during my annual mammo they discovered yet more atypical growth on the same breast and want me to have yet another biop. They are now seeing calcifications developing in the right breast (this is new), along with asymmtrical density between the two.  

I am not on Tamox. A bit scared by the side effects, plus the CYP2D6 blood test indicated I'm an 'intermediate' processor of Tamox. Like most others on this forum, I have hetergenerously (very) dense  breasts and littered with fibro cysts. Oh, no family history of BC, that I know of.

The diagnosis of LCIS and or ALH seems a puzzlement.. to say the least!  I'm starting to feel like it's excessive to jump under the knife every time (every year) they see something suspicious... though I know it's better then not catching it early and ending up with BC. But honestly wondering if it could be making matters worse. I'm just becoming so frustrated with it all, not to mention the cost and stress of it. I know everyone here can relate.

So my question is, has anyone in this group that has been diagnosed with LCIS/ALH had a thermography? I'd love to hear your thoughts are on the topic, if you had one what the outcome was, when did you have it...before or after a surgery, etc.

I've not had one yet. I'm scheduled to have a therm scan, before my biopsy, as I'd like to see what the thermography sees. If there is nothing alarming, no heat/cancer indicated, then would be 'dumb' to hold off on a biopsy and surgery for now, and wait and see in 6 months? Depending on what doctor or advocate I talk to I of course get differing opinions, but none have actually had the diagnosis of LCIS or atypical neoplasi and had to deal first hand with this rollor coaster. 

DocBabs

Not to scare you but I had ALH on a stereotactic biopsy then went on to a lumpectomy revealing LCIS.Assured by everyone that this was essentially a benign condition that in most cases goes nowhere.Spent 3 years having mammos,mri's,ultrasounds, physical exams and biopsies.This past May I was diagnosed with IDC which was essentially my finding.Also, no family history of BC.Never had a thermogram ,just one more test that may or may not reveal anything.Oh, and I too was not on tamox .I'll never know if it would have made any difference.I'm not suggesting anything other than to be aware that things can get out of hand faster than you realize it.

ArleneMarie

I used to do a thermography every year in October for five years.  I would also do a mammogram as well.  I lived in Northern California at the time.  During a routine mammogram in NorCal, they spotted calicifications and I also had a small cyst that had to be asperated.  The following year, I moved to Philadelphia and I thank God for that move.  I am very proactive so I told the woman doing the mammogram that they found calcifications last time so please be vigilent.  It was at Penn Hospital which is a teaching hospital and is AMAZING!  They saw more calcifications and, instead of a "wait and see" attitude had me in for a biopsy which is where LCIS was found.  The thermography was a waste of money since nothing was ever spotted.  By the way, I immediately came to the conclusion that I am not a "wait and see" person since I don't want to wait to have cancer so I had a PBMX last December and have never regretted it.