Waiting for Biopsy

sayheysam

Hey all,

So I know I've had a habit of posting here quite frequently over things that perhaps I shouldn't have worried about. However, I recently went for an ultrasound for one of the new lumps that I've had for a while, but wasn't able to get looked at due to other health issues (I recently had surgery to remove cysts from my ovaries. They were benign but the whole situation definitely caused me a lot of anxiety and stress). I had an ultrasound on Monday for this lump, which is in the 12 o'clock area of my right breast. The radiologist said to me that day that I need it biopsied since they biopsy anything that's new. I have also had one fibroadenoma since I was 17, which hasn't changed. She said the new mass is probably a fibroadenoma, but I feel as though she was just saying that to avoid worrying me.

However, I finally received the ultrasound report and it definitely increased my anxiety by 10x. This is what the results said about the mass:

"In the 12:00 axis of the right breast retroareolar there is a 1.2 x 0.6 x 1.3 cm oval predominantly circumscribed mass with some obscured margins corresponding to the newly palpable abnormality. This is indeterminant and an ultrasound-guided core biopsy is recommended." What concerned me most were my BIRADs, which was a 4 (not a, b, or c, just 4). I'm only 21 and I am freaking out because I feel too young to be dealing with such worries. My mother had BC two years ago so ever since then, I've been so hyperaware of my own breasts. I do recall my gyno telling me I have dense, fibrocystic breasts.

I guess I just wanted to know if you guys have any tips on how to stay calm and less anxious while wiating (my biopsy isn't until November 22 because I'm in a school in a different state), what your experience has been with BIRADS 4, and anything else anyone is willing to share. I don't exactly want to confide in my friends or my boyfriend since I'm both embarrassed and terrified, and don't want them to worry.

MTwoman

sayhey,

sorry that you're here with breast health concerns (again). Let me start out addressing this:
"She said the new mass is probably a fibroadenoma, but I feel as though she was just saying that to avoid worrying me" that just isn't how medical professionals operate. It may be how people who don't practice medicine may behave, but you are projecting your own fears on your doctor and that only makes you more anxious (please stop that). Now, for a BIRADS 4 finding, (that they've already told you is most likely another fibradenoma) there is a positive predictive value of 30%, meaning that only 30% will be found to be bc. Couple that with your age, and you are very likely in the 70% who don't. The words that they used in your path report, "oval, predominantly circumscribed" are good ones, not worrisome. You need to focus on what you know, not what you fear. You know that you have a new finding that they are going to biopsy to rule out anything problematic. Also, take a look at my thread here on how to deal with anxiety while you wait: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/83/topics/855477?page=1

sayheysam

Hi MT,

Thanks so much for your response! You've always been very informative and helpful. You're right, I do have a habit of jumping immediately to the "what ifs" and projecting my fears on my doctor. I completely ignored the potential good (oval, predominantly circumscribed) and immediately paid more attention to the BIRADS and the obscured margins aspect. I'm hoping to be part of the 70% but time will tell. Also, thankyou for sharing your thread about anxiety, I will definitely check it out

MTwoman

Keep breathing and good luck for b9 findings!

sayheysam

I figured I would post an update since I found out my results a few weeks ago. Luckily the findings are benign, but the biopsy showed that I have atypical ductal hyperplasia, which I had no idea was even a thing. I'm meeting my mom's breast surgeon to discuss possible surgery to remove the lump and how to go about my future breast health. Thanks again for all your help during the waiting process