Should I be pushing for a quicker follow-up?

SuQu31

I've waited a few weeks to post, so I could get my thoughts straight, but no luck there. So, here goes: you can see my diagnosis and treatment information below. My breast surgeon agreed with me that I should have a mammogram (both sides) every year for 5 years, because of my close margin (and my worries), so that hopefully we could catch a recurrence while it was DCIS instead of waiting for a lump to show up.

I had my yearly mammogram a few weeks ago. The radiologist said everything looked fine, but when my surgeon looked at the images, she saw something that was a little concerning to her in the image in the area of my armpit, which is where the extra tissue was removed for the close margin. Basically, she said she thought it was nothing, but couldn't see it very well and suggested I have another mammogram in 4 months, so that is now scheduled, along with a visit to see her again.

That all seemed reasonable to me, but my husband immediately asked, "why aren't they getting more images right away?" Honestly, I'm not sure, but I know that things can change over that amount of time, and I was thinking it might be more clear (both the images and what she is seeing) if a little time goes by. Also, if she looks at it again right now, it will be another year until the next mammogram, so if it comes back "fine," but was really something, it will have another year to grow. And being practical, there is only so much insurance is going to pay for.

Plus, just being honest, I am SO tired of worrying about this cancer coming back and I don't want to get all nuts about it. I'm a reasonably rational person and I hate what cancer has done to my ability to think things through. I also don't have anyone to discuss this with in person, so I am bringing it to you smart, rational (but wise to the wily ways of cancer) women. Thoughts? Should I push to do something right away or wait until November?

MountainMia

The radiologist is the expert at reading the images. That expert did not see anything concerning. Fortunately, you have other experts on your team, including the breast surgeon. BS says, hm, maybe there is something there, pretty hard to tell. Let's look again in 4 months.

You had 2 experts look at your images. One recommends another look, LATER. You had your husband, not an expert, not look at the images, raise doubts about it.

With your prior diagnoses and double mastectomy, the probability of a problem that is URGENT is pretty low. You have an appt scheduled for later this year. Please keep it. But I think you can believe that 4 months is soon enough to get another look. (Obviously, if something changes, you'll want to contact the doctor sooner.)

SuQu31

Mountain Mia,

Thank you so much for your response. Just to be clear, my husband didn't look at my images. He was just saying, if the BS didn't see it as well as she would have liked, why do you wait four months? I think that was a reasonable question, and I should have thought about that and asked while I was in the surgeon's office, but my brain shut off temporarily when she started looking at the area where the cancer was.

I think you and I are seeing it the same way.

LivinLife

I agree with MountainMia and the understanding you now seem to have SuQu... 4 months seems reasonable... Hope you'll let us know at that point....

SuQu31

LivinLife, thank you. I just needed to hear other people say, “that makes sense.” I hope I am back in 4 months to say it was nothing.