Waiting for a second opinion

Black_Pink1990

Hello all,

I am a little lost and scared, can't seem to get any help. I will try not to make this long. I had my first mammogram in Dec 2019, another Jan 2020 and then another in June 2020. Everything was pretty normal just dense tissue some areas have more asymmetry than others. Recently found a lump. Pretty big, its tender and painful. Just had another mammogram, the radiologist told me she "thinks" its a bengin tumor and not to return for another year. Now when my report was released to my online account...it was a category 3, return in 6 months. I requested my doc call me. When he did he said there was changes and to get repeated testing. He WOULD NOT explain any thing on my report. It has things like mammographically occult, hyperechoic, mixed echogenic, areas of increased focal asymmetry, nonencapsulated as well.

I am trying to get in somewhere else for a second opinion because I can't get any explaining on what that stuff means and why so many changes in 8 months.

Any help, advice, and support appericated.

Much love to all of you helping each other.

ctmbsikia

Hi, did you also have an ultra sound with your mammogram? If you want it is better to see the entire report to better break it down for you. Seeing the words you posted without the context, not sure will help you at all. I can say that a Birads 3 is actually good news and rarely means that you have cancer, or that you're even headed that way. It is just in comparison to prior imaging, they are noting changes which should be monitored at a 6 months interval instead of annually.

Black_Pink1990

Yes, had a mammogram and a ultrasound done right after.

LivinLife

The Birads 3 is good news. I also hear and understand your frustration that no-one is willing to take the time to talk with your about results. You're anxious and even a brief conversation would likely put you at ease. Are you able to schedule an appointment with your doc? Even if they don't feel the need for you to do that I'd hope if you did they would take the time to talk with you.... Just an idea... even telehealth if need be... Not sure where you're from...

Black_Pink1990

I have tried with the doctor and they literally will not explain it other than come back in 6 months. I just don't understand how a mammogram 8 months ago was normal and now a lump and two other places of concern found by accident and they just wanna be like come back again in 6 months.

I am getting a second a opinion but that's a process so Idk how much longer that will take.

Black_Pink1990

Honestly just some one to talk to me like a human would be nice. Even if they think it is a probably benign finding. I now have this lump that i feel and its tender and painful, and some days I can't wear a bra. But no understanding of what it could be or Why its painful.

Aram

Hi Black_Pink1990, first I am sorry about the stage you are in. I would definitely get a second opinion, and insist on a biopsy. Most lumps are not cancerous, and usually doctors play it by stats. Advocate for yourself as strong as you can and don't let doctors make you feel uncomfortable.

moth

I think one thing to consider is that we do not always understand *why* something occurs. Bodies grow weird things sometimes. Often they're benign, sometimes they're not. With a BIRADS 3 it means 0-less than 2% of malignancy. Short term follow up is the evidence based recommendation for this type of finding - usually these just resolve. If it doesn't, it might get bumped to a BIRADS 4 at your next screening and then you would get a biopsy.

These results simply mean what the radiologist is seeing is very likely benign but should be followed up in 6 months. It's an approach that prevents unnecessary biopies and interventions while promoting safey.

I think if you wanted a second opinion you would want another diagnostic radiologist to re-read your images. You can read a lot online in radiology journals about all these terms but as I was saying in another thread, it's a 5 year residency to be a diagnostic radiologist. This stuff is hard. There is a point where we have to skip to the 'impressions & recommendations' section of the report and just go with that.

If it were me I'd rebook for 6 months from now and put it away. Unless you develop other new symptoms, I'd just try to forget about it.

But if you're really concerned, get a second radiologist to read your scans and report on them.

best wishes