Trust or 2nd Opinion

teachermomof2

Hello all. I had my first mammogram in March of 2016 at My OBGYN's imaging center. They called later that week and had me go have another mammo and US at the hospital's imaging center. I have an area of concern in the outside area of my right breast. At the time, my dr told me it was too small to biopsy and I needed to come back in 6 mos. Went back in Fall of '16 for another US, and again told to come back in 6 mos. They also did us of my lymph nodes (?). Last appt was in April '17 with diagnostic mammo and then US. So....

I went for ANOTHER diagnostic mammo of my right breast today and also ultrasound. They took more photos during mammo than before, and xray tech asked me if I was by myself when she finished but before talking to radiologist. She asked a bunch of questions that they haven't asked before. She talked to him and I think, said he said it was a lymph node, my dr would call me, and to come back in 6 mos.

My concerns are that I really have no idea what it is, and I worry I should be more active in my medical treatment. My grandmother had breast cancer, as well as my first cousin. My father has cancer. So do I wait another 6 months? I should also note that my right breast seems to be tender more often than not. Thank you in advance!

LisaAlissa

Hi teachermomof2,

Do you have copies of the imaging reports from your various imaging studies? And copies of the actual images on a disc? If not, I'd ask for copies. Based on what you said, there should be quite a stack of them:

1. Report on 3/16/16 Mammogram

2. Reports on 3/?/16 Diagnostic mammogram & Ultrasound

3. Report Fall '16 US

4. Reports on 4/17 diagnostic mammogram & US

5. Reports on 10/16/17 diagnostic mammogram & US

You've undoubtedly have received (or will receive) "patient letters" covering all of these, but you want to have copies of the reports sent to your OBGYN. It sounds as if they are trying to determine if something they've seen is "stable" or if it's changing...and thus of more concern. Often they will follow something on a semiannual basis for a couple of years to reach (hopefully) a conclusion that it isn't changing, so isn't of further concern.

Ask your OBGYN for copies of all of the imaging reports. The actual reports will include a lot of technical information as well as BIRADs scores. Ask if your OBGYN would like to meet to discuss (after you've had a chance to review) or if they would like to refer you to someone else for that discussion.

Tell them what you told us, that you'd like to have a better understanding of what's going on with your breasts and what you can expect going forward. They may tell you another year or so of close surveillance. They may refer you to a breast center for further care. They may tell you that with no changes, they don't want to see you for another year (return to standard screening). They might tell you that they want a biopsy. Who knows?

And if you still have questions about the reports you get, come back here, and someone may be able to help...

HTH,

LisaAlissa

teachermomof2

I do not have copies of my scans so I should get copies of those. Right now I am just waiting for the Dr.'s office to call. Thank you for your advice!