New to all this

Trishmariep

I'm 39 and I went in for a baseline mammogram a week and a half ago. I got called back for a diagnostic mammogram.

The radiologist found a cluster of pleomorphic calcifications in my left breast. Now I'm scheduled for a biopsy on March 6th. My results say Bi-Rads - Suspicious.

I was also told I have heterogeneously dense breasts.

I'm pretty freaked out...I thought I was just going for a baseline to compare future mammos to and now this.

They say they will be doing a stereotactic biopsy, and they were very vague about what they thought.

Moderators

Hi there, Trishmarie. We're so sorry you find yourself here with this worry! We know it's scary, but since it is your first mammogram and you don't have anything to compare it to, it's important to try to not jump to worst case scenario right away. Easier said than done, we know! The majority of lumps are found to be benign, so the odds are definitely in your favor. Please keep us posted on how your biopsy goes, we're all here for you regardless of the result!

The Mods

16mmrtaxil

Hello Trish,

I'm too sorry to hear about the surprise news from your baseline. I'm in a similar boat. Not new too mammo but got my routine checkup three weeks ago and was sent for a magnified one this past Friday for a better look at calcifications in my right breast. Ended up with a surprising result 16mm suspicious calcifications in right axillary (didn't ask for all details). Now waiting for needle biopsy next Tuesday. I work FT with two kids. A high school senior boy and my daughter just turned 11 today. Fearful for her future without me if worst news were to come after the biopsy. I will be thinking of you and will keep sending my loving energy. Please keep me posted. I know how difficult it is to keep my mind from thinking of the worst. Hugs

EReck6

hi Trishmariep, I know it’s not much help, but I’m in a similar position as you. I had my annual mammo on 1/28 which prompted a diagnostic mammo on 2/8 resulting in a Birads 4C - highly suspicious. I had my stereotactic biopsy on 2/21 and am anxiously (ha! That's an understatement!) awaiting my results.

The waiting and my personal research has been agonizing. It seems like info the category 4C is all over the place in regards to what it means. And like you, my doctors haven’t really said much either.

I will say that this online community as been a WEALTH of knowledge, information and support!!! Hang in there

16mmrtaxil

hello there!

Sending hugs and positive energy. I’m 4b classifies so who know what else I’ll find out after next Tuesday biopsy. Hope we can stay connected. I’m still in a disbelief at times that I’m now going thru this journey. Hang in there

Trishmariep

Sorry you guys are going through this too, but it's also a relief to hear from people who understand.

It hasn't been a good year for me health wise and now this has me worried

Trishmariep

Waiting for this biopsy is awful. I have a swollen lymph node under my arm now, Dr started antibiotics and said hopefully it's an infection.

Natasha007

I just made it through a similar situation that was agonizing. I literally thought I might die of a heart attack waiting to find out.

Please be encouraged that people with 4C ratings (like me) do often turn out to not be cancer. My nurse navigator was great in calming my fears and I really hope that you will have hope.

I went for annual mammogram on 1/28, back for additional views on 2/6, biopsy of two masses (atypical and solid and irregular and all the scary stuff) on 2/13 and results were benign on 2/14.

Sarbar22 was same, 4C was benign. Please have hope. There are lots of others on this site that post and are scared and then just stop posting. I assume they received good results and returned to normal life and forgot to post good results. Please have hope.

Natasha007

I’m praying for you for your biopsy tomorrow, please let us know.

beep7bop

Sorry to say I too am in the lost my mind waiting mode. I am 4C bi-rad my Biopsy is on Thursday march 7.  My thoughts are with all of us and prayers. To the people that have gotten great news I am so Happy for you!! Good Luck to all who are waiting, hang in..

Trishmariep

I'm pretty nervous about the biopsy, and dreading the wait for results. Kinda wish they could just wave a magic wand and have the results right then lol

blah333

I had the same thing, dense breasts as well. I suspect it will be DCIS...

Trishmariep

Made it through the biopsy. Not as bad as I feared, just uncomfortable and strange. They told me I would have results in 3-5 business days

Natasha007

Trish,

I am praying for you. Waiting is it's own kind of painful torment. Praying bunches for you.

Natasha007

trish, any update?

Trishmariep

I actually just got my results today. Benign fibrocystic changes, have to follow up with another mammogram in 6 months.

cecyc

Congratulations! Thank God

Salamandra

That's so great Trishmariep!

Trishmariep

I saw my PCP today and she still wants me to see a breast surgeon. Is that typical?

cecyc

I just saw a breast surgeon today as well.  My obgyn sent me to see him even after a clean mammogram and US.  He said that my lump is palpable and even though he doesn't believe it is cancer he said the only way to know is to get it out.  So I guess it is normal when they want to rule out something. 

239Happy

I just had a biopsy, is that what they are talking about doing?

239Happy

1. Salamandra how did everything go for you?

Trishmariep

I don't think so...I had a biopsy already and it showed benign, but they still want me to see breast surgeon

Peregrinelady

Cecyc, I am glad the breast surgeon is being proactive. Let us know how it goes.

cecyc

Will do! Thank you

Salamandra

Hi Joy239,

As you can see, my diagnosis turned out to be malignant. I didn't know (or even know to ask at the time), but my mammogram and US had both been Birads 5, so if I'd been a little more educated, I'd have seen it coming.

I do feel like I'm reaching a new equilibrium. I'm done with the active treatment now and adjusting to side effects from the anti-hormonals. It's a pain in the butt, but doable. Overall, my actual experience with cancer so far is so much better and so much easier than the intense fear I felt at the beginning.

Trishmariep

Question for people who've had a stereotactic biopsy. Mine was on 3/6 and I still have decent bruising, which I expected. I also have a pretty big, very tender lump under the bruised area. Hurts to touch, hurts when I move my arm certain ways. Is this normal?

isabellasharon

Hi , Just need a bit of Fermale support, I have been having regular eco scans as I had small cysts in both boobs. However yesterday I was told there was something showing and it was Birads 5, so have made an appointment with the Doctor.

My mind is going crazy,. I have had back ached for 3 weeks and pains in my ribs and now im associating everything with the big C.

I have had bronchtitis and Kidney infection this year so perhaps its related to that , but my mind has gone into overdrive

Fairydragonfly

Natasha007, thank you for mentioning that it is possible for 4C to be benign. I am waiting on my core biopsy results (done on 4/5) and I'm already assuming the worst. ❤️

Salamandra

Hi Isabellasharon,

I'm so sorry you have to deal with this. Try not to jump ahead! Back pain and rib pain can be caused by SO many things. Cancer discovered via scheduled scanning is unlikely to be stage IV.

IF the biopsy comes back malignant (with 5 there's a good chance it will but it may not), and IF the doctors think there's a chance that it's spread, then they'll order yet more scans, and you'll have to wait for those results to know for sure. No matter what, you have more waiting ahead for you.

The waiting is excruciating and terrible. We are here for you. Do whatever you need to get through the days, including asking for pharmaceutical help from your doctor if you are open to it.

No matter what the results, and there is an excellent chance they will be much less dire than our fears naturally go to, you will feel better when you *know* and have a plan.