4th call back in as many years

ErickaR

Hi.

I am not sure if this is the right board to post on, but since my question is as undefined as my issue, I figured I would start here. In 2013, I got the dreaded call back for a screening mammo. I had global asymmetry and arch. distortion on my left breast. I learned this after the dx mammo and US. I was then sent for an MRI. That came back fine. I was told to follow up in a year. After that follow up (sept 2014), I got the same call back, and again had to follow up for an MRI. That MRI found nothing on my left breast, but found something on my right. I had to go back in for another dx mammo and US on the right breast. A couple of weeks later I had an MRI guided biopsy on my right breast (the new issue) and an US guided biopsy on my left breast (original issue). Both, came back negative. I was told to follow up in 6 months (April 2015). That image was clear and the next one, six months later was also clear (Nov 2015). I was told to resume with regular annual screening the following year. That would have been this past November. I am a busy mom of 5 and graduate student, and since the last two were both clear, after having neg biopsies, I wasn't in a rush.
Last week (Mar 6) I went for my screening. The next morning I was called back AGAIN. And, again, it is for my left breast.
I am starting to feel like my odds are diminishing of this being nothing. As someone whose background is in health sciences, I know better than to be dismissive. However, with so many 'false-positives' it is difficult.
Has anyone here had an experience similar to this, only for it to have turned out to be malignant?

MTwoman

Ericka, as you are in health sciences, let me share a link with you:

http://www.medpagetoday.com/radiology/diagnosticradiology/63779

this article is a write up of a radiology consortium analysis. It seems like you are one of the people that this applies to. Basically, our digital technology has gotten better; which is good. There has been an increase of over 11 people detected with bc per 1000 screened, since the digital mammo (improved sensitivity). Unfortunately, there has also been a 50% increase in the number of biopsies performed due to the increase in sensitivity (decreased specificity). There is now a call to improve the negative prognostic use of digital mammography so that we are able to catch more bc more quickly, but not put so many women through multiple biopsies and the anxiety that goes along with it. There are many, many women who go through multiple "finds" and biopsies to be told B9. In fact, 80% of BIRADS 4 biopsies are B9. BIRADS 4 is the lowest score where biopsy is warranted and insurance will cover it.

so sorry you are going through this (again). I certainly realize that 'false-positives' might cause someone to be complacent, but your health is certainly worth vigilance There is something called the GAIL model, that could help you get some idea of your personal risk.

Good luck!