White dot on 3D mammo

sofabass

I had a 3D mammo on Friday and opted for the 3D since my sister has dense breast, thought I might too. My last mammo was 5 years ago, I'm 47 and not having any symptoms or any cancer in my family, just getting it done and got insurance again.

I was not expecting to look at the image but the tech called me over to look at it, to show me how perfect the imaging was. Granted, she had to remind me several times to relax my shoulders and that it was extremely important. So anyway, I'm assuming she wanted to show me how well the imaging can be. I didn't know what to look for but couldn't help but notice this bright white very smooth ovalish ball close to the chest wall (oval up and down) just seeming to hang there in the dark. The tech is showing me everything else but that. I'm like yeah yeah, but what's the white ball looking thing hanging in space?? She said, oh that could be a lymph node or something else. Don't worry about it. So I did the other side and that was that. I think I was in shock. I left and starting thinking, why would she show me that?? Was she clueless or did she want to show me I might have cancer? I read that bright white indicates cancer on a 3D. I'm worried and won't hear back until Wed. It was probably size of half a pencil eraser. What do y'all think? I can't stop thinking about it now. Was this tech sadistic or clueless? (My bff has stage 4 bone mets, and was blind sided 4 months ago, another reason I got it together and went.)

I have combed through tons of images and haven't seen anything like it. Do Macro calcifications hang out, just one, by itself? I thought they were clustered. I'm not menopausal and started ovulating at 17 if that matters.

Beesie

Don't borrow trouble.

It sounds as though the tech was trying to be reassuring because it was clear that you were anxious. It's extremely unlikely that she would have shown you your imaging, telling you how good your imaging looked, as a pretense for having you see that there is a cancerous mass. That's pretty far-fetched and since techs are not allowed to talk to patients about results, it would be inappropriate and frankly, outrageous.

"Very smooth ovalish ball" hits all the criteria for benign and harmless. It's probably an intramammary lymph node.

Stop googling, wait to get your report, assume everything is okay and don't worry about it.

sofabass

Thank you Bessie, that's probably exactly what I needed to hear (my husband is kinda laughing since he told me pretty much the same thing). I have been a research maniac for my friend with bone mets, literally staying up many night reading abstracts, trying to make sure the treatment protocols were happening. She needed a patient advocate during her back surgery during Covid (that's how it started).

I hope you both are right. I have been occupying my brain with everything cancer that it was starting to seem appropriate to get it, especially since I have stalled getting my mammo for so long. I like that saying Don't borrow trouble. Much appreciated. I need to follow my own advice to my friend about staying positive and focusing on making today the best it can be. Thank you!!

AliceBastable

Unless you have a lot of experience in detailed medical research, poking around on google is NOT research. It can result in harmful misinformation.

sofabass

You're right about that. Although I do feel that without my "research" she would probably be paralyzed right now, and other serious lags would've happened but I get where you are coming from. It is not healthy, but has kept her from Googling. I think I've been a much-needed asset.

I get my blood work tomorrow, and managed to only think about it twice today... and when I did, I just told myself that everything is out of my hands anyway, and the thoughts went away. Expect the Best, but Prepare for the Worst is how I normally live so "research" seems part of that. If 4 doctors hadn't missed/failed her (DCIS), I wouldn't feel like I need to be on the ball. I will no longer Google clinical stuff though. You are right about that for sure! Thank you!