LCIS, Breast Reduction and Diagnostic Mammogram

motaylor

I am new here and have been putting off my Mammogram, anyone knowing me knows normally I am not scared of anything or put on a brave face.  Anyways 15th July 2015 I had to undergo a large bilateral breast reduction, they removed 850 grams each side, I did not know that by law they had to send for pathology.  The report came back 80% Left and Right Breast tissue affect by LCIS.  I saw an oncologist and he was great and assured me I didn't have cancer, that I would never have to have a mastectomy, but that he would like me to go for bi annual breast checks and diagnostic mammogram.  Well I went for the breast check okay but I just can't seem to move forward with this mammogram, it's not like I haven't had them before but worried that the squeezing might trigger something, is this possible or am I just being stupid.

leaf

No, you aren't being stupid. There is a steep learning curve with breast cancer (or, in the case of LCIS, pre-cancer.)

As someone has said before, I certainly wouldn't worry about mammograms because of the squeezing. Think about the function and evolution of breasts. When breastfeeding, breasts are chewed and squeezed, and have been for a very long time for many, many species of animals.

Biannual clinical checks and yearly mammograms are recommended by the NCCN for LCIS. LCIS is normally bilateral, and often occurs in many different spots in both breasts. They know this because prior to about 1990, the standard treatment for LCIS was bilateral mastectomies, because they thought all or most LCIS became invasive breast cancer. They thought that LCIS was like DCIS, but it isn't.

The usual options for classic LCIS are : watchful monitoring (clinical exams with yearly mammograms), watchful monitoring with antihormonals, such as tamoxifen, or bilateral mastectomies. Almost everything about LCIS is controversial, so you will see many different options that different doctors recommend and patients choose.There are different options because we are all different.

There is no rush to choose what you want to do.

marketingmama

My LCIS was also discovered following a breast reduction. I was told about sending for pathology but didn't think a thing of it. I'd just had a normal mammogram. Crazy isn't it!? LCIS was the last thing I expected to hear about when I went in to see the Plastic Surgeon the day after my procedure. Anyway, Leaf is absolutely right. Don't worry about mammos or any other testing (MRI etc). Certainly no need to panic but do stay up to date on screenings (twice yearly MRI or mammo with Tamoxifen was my option--- had I not had a mastectomy).