Birads-3

aseal321

Hi everyone, hope you’re all doing ok!

I’ve been on before, but it’s been a while. I’ve always had busy breasts, lots of lumps and bumps...first biopsy done in June of 2019, dx with a fibroadenoma, and classified as Birads-2. My dr wasn’t feeling comfy so had me on a 6 mth rotation. My last us/mammo was in July 2020, typical cysts and clip was in place so no changes.

started having more swelling and they scheduled a comprehensive mammo and us for today (4 mths since my last go around).

Clip in place, more cysts, more complex cysts, and one area of concern but advised not to be “too concerned”. Now I’m a Birads-3. They said it may be a very complex cyst or a solid mass and they’ll see me in 6 mths??? My dr said not to worry, but of course, I’m worried that in 4 mths time things have clearly changed. So yeah, I don’t want to stress, but I am.

Anyone gone through this? And anyone gone from a Birads-3 to a cancer dx?

Thanks for listening...take care

ctmbsikia

Hi. What a pain. All I can say is although waiting is hard and all the imaging adds to your anxiety, these professionals really do know what they are doing. I realize it's hard to look at a Birads 3 as good news, but it is. I'm not aware of anyone going onto a cancer dx, at least not for a long time. I am on my 2nd go around since diagnosis with this score. So far so good all benign stuff. Here's hoping your breasts will not change and stay un-busy!

Beesie

I've had lots of BIRADs 3s and lots of BIRADs 4s - and I'll gladly take a 3 over a 4. I've never had any of my BIRADs 3s turn into anything and have never even needed a biopsy upon follow-up. I have had a BIRADs 3 complicated cyst.

Is this BIRADs 3 a new mass, or is it a mass that was previously seen but has changed unfavorably? Usually an unfavorable change does suggest the need for a biopsy, but a new mass assessed as BIRADs 3 would normally be watched, with follow-up screening in 6 months.

With a BIRADs 3, the Radiologist assesses there to be a less than 2% chance that this is cancer. Anything with more than a 2% risk is assessed as a BIRADs 4, with a biopsy recommended. So your risk that this might be cancer is very low, but it's not 0%. I've been on this site for a long time, and I have seen a few BIRADs 3 that have ended up being cancer, but it's certainly rare.

The one thing I've found with 6 month follow-ups is that 6 months is too long to worry. Once the frustration with having a BIRADs 3 passed, I've always been able to put it out of my mind, at least until a few days before my next screening. Hopefully you can do the same!

LivinLife

I've had several diagnostic mammograms after call-back and two stereotactic biopsies on my right breast and always benign. then the one time they saw something suspicious in one spot in my left breast and watched that over time it became a problem.... I agree these folks are experts, do this for a living and it they're comfortable it's likely ok. If anything I think they often intervene with biopsies to be cautious - about 80% of these call-backs turn out benign.... Obviously if you notice any changes before your next diagnostic call someone.

aseal321

hi! Yeah it’s a new mass...sitting a few centimeters next to the biopsy area.

I guess my only worry is that this testing was 2 mths premature because I felt the swelling and they sent in me in, and there was a change. Now it’s 6 mths of those same yuck feelings. You’re right though, I have great news at this point and I can’t let that bogme down

aseal321

Thank you and I hope you’re doing ok now! Cannot imagine the stress

aseal321

thank you! That relieves the stress a bit

SarBar22

I would actually love a BIRADS 3 haha All of my mammos & US have resulted in 4b/4c, with surgeries following them, as well (the last surgery in May). I just assume I'm leaving with a note to schedule a biopsy at this point, and I'm only 32...

I have a follow-up appt from the surgery on 1/12, so maybe this will be the one - fingers crossed!

I hope the 6 months goes quickly for you! And also that'll be closer to when the world will (hopefully) be a bit more back to normal so you have that to look forward to, as well!!

aseal321

oh gosh! That is a lot of back and forth and you are so young! I’m sorry 😐

I pray your appointment goes very well. And yes, I am ready for everything to calm down, I miss my normal. We’re in CA and it’s endless lockdown jere

SarBar22

Thanks aseal, I'll let you know how it turns out. I'm in NYC and just got back from visiting my sister for a few months in London, so I'm SO done with lockdowns and quarantining, as well. Looking forward to a more normal 2021 (with all my fingers and toes crossed!)