Can't Shake the Anxiety

Ozarkgirl

I'm 48 years old -- have never really worried about breast cancer even though my aunt was diagnosed around the age of 60. I have had annual exams since the age of 40 but had an earlier base line done in mid 30's.

In September my mammogram came back as asymmetrical so I scheduled an appt for a diagnostic mammogram which then leads to an ultrasound. The next think I knew the radiologist is telling me that I probably shouldn't worry but the ultrasound did show hypoechoic mass measuring 8.2 x 4.7 x 6.4 mm -- having angular margins and internal vascularity but has no posterior acoustic features -- he schuled another appt but this time for a core needle biopsy with ultrasound. He placed BIRAD 4 on my charge and assured me that I have a 60% chance that it's nothing at all.

My biopsyis scheduled for November 7 and I can't seem to think much about anything but this mass. I'm not scared but I am a worrier. Has anyone else had something like this?

Guenhwyvar

Hi Ozarkgirl, I'm also in Missouri and I'm 49. I also have a lot of anxiety and worried myself sick (literally) waiting for tests and answers. I'm so sorry you're going through this.

My mammogram showed microcalcifications, I'm not familiar with the asymmetrical part, but hopefully someone else who has will answer.

Good luck! I hope you get good news. And if the anxiety gets to be too much, talk to your doctor about it.

MTwoman

So the "asymmetrical part" means that there isn't symmetry when they compare the right and left breast. Read more about it here: https://radiopaedia.org/articles/asymmetrical-density-in-mammography

Ozarkgirl, a BIRADS 4 finding is typically recommended for biopsy. The BIRADS score is based on the characteristics of the finding and correlates to the % risk of something actually being bc. The positive predictive value of BIRADS 4 is approximately 30%, meaning that about 30% of findings with that score will actually be bc. Read more about the BIRADS scoring system here: http://breast-cancer.ca/bi-rads/

Typically, core needle biopsies are relatively pain free (the injection of the numbing agent can pinch) depending on the location of the area to be sampled. Use ice and Tylenol after the biopsy and you should feel better pretty quickly. It is good practice to get copies of your images and reports, just in case you need them in the future.

Good luck for b9 results!

Ozarkgirl

where in Missouri are you? I'm in the Springfield area.