Anxious...mass and calcifications

KelDelek

Hi,

New here so advanced apologies if I've posted this incorrectly. It has been so helpful to read these posts - very grateful for the virtual support from this community.

I'm 41, had my second-ever screening mammogram last week, and got a call back citing: "7mm oval mass in the left upper outer quadrant at middle depth. Tightly grouped calcifications slightly medial central retroareolar left breast at middle depth." The report also mentioned extremely dense breasts.

The radiologist recommended a diagnostic mammogram and possible utlrasound if necessary, which is tomorrow. My anxiety and worry are through the roof. My mom had Stage 1 breast cancer when she was 60 - lumpectomy and radiation and is a totally cancer-free 74 year-old. It's hard for me to imagine this isn't cancer based on those findings and am curious about others' similar experiences.

I guess I wonder if anyone has advice for getting through the anxiety both leading up to and during more testing. Or any thoughts on those findings.

Thank you, immensely.

Beesie

KelDelek, welcome.

It sounds as though the mass and the calcifications are in different locations. The mass, being oval, could easily be a cyst. At your age, cysts are very common. Calcifications are also extremely common, and while they can represent the presence of DCIS or even a small invasive cancer, most calcs are benign. Grouped calcs could be malignant, or might have been caused by a trauma to the breast or a benign condition such as fat necrosis or even a cyst.

So don't assume that this is cancer. It could be, of course, but you are at the point in the diagnostic process where 95% of the results end up not being cancer. Even if you are sent for a biopsy, 70%-75% of biopsies turn out to not be cancer. The best I can offer in terms of getting through the anxiety is reminding yourself that the odds are in your favor, and in the event that you do land on the wrong side of the odds, as you know from your mother's example, most cases of breast cancer are treatable.

Good luck tomorrow. Let us know how it goes.

AliceBastable

KelDelek

Definitely listen to Beesie, she knows more about percentages and probabilities than just about anyone here. But I wanted to add, your mother's history shows why you DON'T need to be so anxious, since she had cancer and is just fine now. It's not always 🥵🔥⚡💥 CANCER!!!!! 🥵🔥⚡💥; sometimes, like with your mother, it's cancer with a small c.

LivinLife

WelcomeKelDelek! I agree with Beesie on staying grounded in the facts she offered while you wait and IF you have any related future waiting. Validating your worry while then distracting can be helpful too. Check out other forums and threads related to humor, cats, dogs, games, exercise on this site, take some walks, watch funny or engaging shows, listen to upbeat music, etc.

KelDelek

Thank you all, so much, for these helpful words. Very reassuring and definitely grounding as I move through this process.

Thank you, thank you.