Worried

Mary1977

had my second ultrasound today and don't know how to feel. The girl that performed it said whatever it is is very close to chest wall and because I have very very large breasts it's hard to see what showed on the Mammo. She seemed to spend a lot of time in one spot but then said that the results will be with my dr tomorrow to give me peace of mind , so does that mean I've nothing to worry about ? I think I also suffer from health anxiety which is making it worse

My husband just gets angry and says I'm never satisfied no matter what they say. I'm not the kind of person that can put things out of my mind .

Can anyone relate please

AliceBastable

The TECHNICIAN who did your ultrasound spent more time on one spot because they have to concentrate on the specific area shown on the mammogram. An ultrasound isn't a dowsing rod trying to find something by whooshing it all over your breast. They are getting a better look at a defined spot.

Mary1977

I’m sorry if my post offended you wow! I couldn’t think of the word technician, but thank you for putting it in capitals

Beesie

The tech isn't supposed to say anything to the patient - only the radiologist, who is a doctor, is supposed to speak to patients.

As AliceBastable said, the tech spent time in one spot because that's the spot where something showed up on the mammogram. The purpose of the ultrasound is to see if it can more clearly identify whatever the mammogram might have spotted.

Did the Radiologist come in to speak to you? Usually if I need additional follow-up, such as a biopsy, the Radiologist will come in and speak to me. That seems to be a pretty common practice. So if the Radiologist didn't see you and the tech said that the results will give you peace of mind (even though she shouldn't have said anything - she was probably trying to be kind and reassuring), it sounds as though you are likely to get good news.

Good luck, and let us know what happens.

edwards750

The tech who did mine in 2011 told me I could get dressed because I was going home. 5 minutes later the radiologist came in and said you aren’t going to like what I’m going to tell you...the rest as they say is history. But that’s only my story. I knew what was coming because The mammogram showedone breast was larger than the other. That had never happened before.

I agree they shouldn’t say anything at all positive or negative. They aren’t the doctor.

It’s just such a scary procedure it’s understandable to try and extract an opinion from the tech. I usually try to read their expressions. For the record that doesn’t work either.

Good luck!

Diane

dysonsphere

When I was diagnosed, the radiologist spoke to me right away, if only to tell me I needed a biopsy and to say they they were very concerned and why. It doesn't seem this is the case for you and I would take some reassurance from that. It's very scary ,either way, just to go through the first steps. I hope there is good news for you. Let us know!

Mary1977

so dr called me to say there are 3 lumps but are Fibroadenomas, I have an appt with the breast specialist on tuesday but no one seems concerned thank you

AliceBastable

I wasn't offended about not calling her a technician, but about referring to a professional person as a girl. Just like you wouldn't call a young male doctor a boy, right? ☺️

Mary1977

yes I get it

Beesie

Fibroadenomas are common benign masses. On an ultrasound they often have a appearance that makes them quite easy to identify. For those of us who develop them, it's not uncommon to have more than one.

How old are you? In younger women, because fibroadenomas are common (I had one at 16 and one at 20) and because younger women don't tend to develop breast cancer, an ultrasound is usually sufficient to identify a fibroadenoma. For those who are older, sometimes a biopsy is recommended not because of any concern but just as a double check to confirm that the mass is a fibroadenoma. So even if the breast specialist is not concerned, he or she might suggest a biopsy. Don't let that scare you - if the imaging report indicates that these masses are fibroadenoma, a biopsy is precautionary only, just to increase the certainty of the assessment.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fibroadenoma/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352756

djmammo

They prefer technologist to technician.

Medical sonographers are certified by the ARDMS, and if they were a radiographer first they would also have ARRT certification.

They can receive further certification specifically for Breast Ultrasound from the ARDMS and the ACR.

upstate38

It wasn't a derogatory remark, and is very common. I've done that before and so have other family members..especially if the tech is really young. It's an extremely odd thing to point out when someone is really concerned about the possibility of having breast cancer.

Mary1977

I am 43. I see the surgeon on Tuesday I am tempted to just ask him to remove whatever the thing is Fibroadenoma or such like . I am a panicky person I watched my grandma go through bc 3 times . It will drive me crazy watching and waiting .

LiveLoveLaugh2020

Mary glad all looks benign. Hopefully after you see the surgeon next week you’ll feel better 🙂

AliceBastable

djmammo

Thanks, that's good to know.

Mary1977

my right nipple was bleeding again this morning so I will mention it to the surgeon on Tuesday. It’s happened three times over the space of about a month. I had a mammogram and ultrasound on that side already and nothing was found , it was actually the left which found the suspected Fibroadenoma. My question is as the bleeding is spontaneous and nothing happens if squeezed I can’t have ductagram as you have to be able to produce discharge. What else can be done do you think anyone know. Ps I have found this group to be great and really appreciate everyone’s ansees

Mary1977

just an update. Dr is not concerned about bleeding nipple on right breast only if it continues to carry on he thinks it was a burst cyst.

With regards to my left breast they found 2 hypochoec (spelt wrong) nodules no blood flow Birads 3. The wait for follow up gives me such anxiety has anyone ever requested a biopsy for Birads 3?

upstate38

Personally, I wouldn't pursue a biopsy unless they recommend one. The radiologists are very competent and skilled when it comes to identifying cancer. Obviously, it is completely your decision. In the last 4-5 years, I've had many breast changes and Brads 3 scores. I've also had a couple of Brads 4. If I would have pursued biopsies on all my Brads 3 areas, I would have been through about 15 of them. I'm not sure what your insurance coverage is like, but I end up paying about $2,000 plus for a biopsy. I really don't like follow ups either as mine are about every 3-6 months. They are extremely nerve-racking and expensive. I would keep an eye on the bleeding, but it seems like the radiologist is not concerned about it which is a really good thing.

Salamandra

I think you are better off spending time and money to work on your anxiety than on your breast right now. It's not easy finding a good therapist/psych, but it can make such a huge difference to quality of life.

They are quite conservative with biopsies already. If a radiologist thinks there's even the slimmest chance (I think 4%) that a biopsy could find cancer, it would get a BIRADS 4 and insurance would pay for a biopsy.

On the other hand, if some day you do get a breast cancer diagnosis (or some other scary diagnosis), the tools to help you deal with your anxiety will be worth their weight in gold.