Age 65 Dx Developing Asymmetry BIRADS 2

artlover55

Hello

So my story started August 2020. I realized that upon taking deep breaths I felt a pain on the left side that filled my upper chest but mostly around my heart. At first I thought perhaps I had Covid because I had heard how it affects your lungs. I tested negative. Then I had a chest xray also negative. I asked my doctor to send me to a dermatologist because I had a large mole on my back that seemed sensitive. Negative. Finally I asked for a mammogram.

As it turns out I had to wait for the mammogram one month because I had received my final vaccination shot mid May so the mammogram was scheduled one month from that day. I got a call back because of enlarged lymph node. I thought it was probably from the vaccination and did not think much of it. I have never been one to examine my breast and it had been five years since I had a mammogram. The following week I was seen for a 3D mammogram and ultrasound. At this time they were mainly concerned with that lymph node. During the ultrasound exam I did see the area of concern. The radiologist came in and looked at it for a while and then made up his mind that it was normal. He said your good to go and come back in one year. What a relief!

A few days later I decided to examine my breast myself and used a mirror while lying down. I was very surprised at what I saw. My left breast was significantly larger than the right and the nipple was darker, twice the size and had an oval shape and different texture. My breast had been feeling tender but I summed it up to the mammogram. I also decided to look on my patient portal at the results for dx mammogram and was surprised to find a new dx, developing asymmetry. I understood it however because you could easily see the difference in size of the left breast. It also said that the developing asymmetry was confirmed on the 2d, 3D and ultrasound. Not only that the lymph node was in the same area or aligned with the thickened area. The lymph node itself was deemed to be normal however so I suppose that is why i was given a BIRADS 2 instead of higher.

I looked up developing asymmetry in several reputable medical journals and it said that developing asymmetry should always be treated as highly suspicious.

I made an appointment to see my primary again for a breast exam and explained my concerns. At this time my breast was not painful just a bit tender still. She examined me and decided to order another dx mammogram and ultrasound in three months. She said I might send you to a breast specialist even if the mammogram comes back negative.

Two weeks pass and I am noticing more and more of an ache in my breast and changes in the nipple. There is now a soft lump or firm area in the nipple itself. It feels like my lymph nodes are swollen under my arm. I am growing more concerned so I decide to take matters into my hands and make an appointment with a GYN for a second opinion. Because now a year has passed since I first started having the painful breathing. I did forget to mention I had also developed significant back pain behind my breast, upper spine. I am feeling tired and having what feels like extreme hot flashes although I am post menopausal. The GYN examines my breast and confirms there is enough to be worried about and says she is referring me to a breast specialist now. I had been previously dx with fibrocystic breast disease and my breast feel lumpy which she noted.

My appointment with the GYN was August 9th and my upcoming appointment with the breast specialist is September 22nd. A long wait.

The past couple of weeks I have developed a few new symptoms which may or may not be related. One is extreme pain under my right rib that radiates to my mid back and also a lot of pain after eating certain foods like oatmeal. I went to see my Primary today about that and we did a urine test which had a high blood amount. I asked for a possible CAT scan of my right side but she said lets wait and you can take antibiotics for ten days, come back in two weeks and if you still have the blood we will need to do a CAT scan anyway to check for kidney stones or other bladder issues. She asked if I had ever had a breast MRI and I said no. She said she suspects the breast surgeon will order one.

I know everyones journey with breast cancer or possible breast cancer/disease is often very different so I wanted to share my journey as information and also to invite anyone who has had any similar symtoms to share information.

This board has been very helpful so far and I have learned a lot.

My test results so far are below.

Encounter info:

3333633, Outpatient, 6/14/2021 - 6/14/2021

* Final Report *

MA Mammogram Screen Digital BilReason For Exam

; Dx: ENCOUNTER FOR OTH SCREENING FOR MALIGNANT NEOPLASM OF BREAST;; Dx: ENCOUNTER FOR OTH SCREENING FOR MALIGNANT NEOPLASM OF BREAST

REPORT

EXAMINATION: SCREENING DIGITAL MAMMOGRAPHY WITH CAD: 6/14/2021 2:43 PM HISTORY: Routine Screening. COMPARISON: 2016 TECHNIQUE: 2D images were performed. CAD assisted interpretation. FINDINGS: Breast Density B: There are scattered areas of fibroglandular density. Possible developing mass anterior/lateral portion of the left breast as labeled on both views. No interval suspicious findings right breast IMPRESSION: Possible developing mass left breast as above BI-RADS Category 0: Incomplete. Need additional imaging evaluation. -Full digital 2D mammography performed. -The exam was evaluated with computer aided detection to increase the sensitivity. -The patient has been entered into a reminder system with a target due date for the next mammogram.

Encounter info:

482165, PRK, Outpatient, 6/21/2021 - 6/21/2021

* Final Report *

US Breast Limited LTReason For Exam

left breast asymmetry

MA Mammogram Diag Dig Tomo LTReason For Exam

ABNORMAL MAMAMMOGRAM, LEFT

REPORT

EXAMINATION: Left DIAGNOSTIC DIGITAL TOMOSYNTHESIS MAMMOGRAM WITH CAD and Left BREAST ULTRASOUND: 6/21/2021 10:14 AM HISTORY:ABNORMAL MAMAMMOGRAM, LEFT. COMPARISON: 6/14/2021 and priors TECHNIQUE: 2D and 3D images were performed. CAD assisted interpretation. FINDINGS: Breast Density B: There are scattered areas of fibroglandular density. Mammography: With supplemental imaging, possible small developing focal asymmetry within the outer left breast persists. Breast tomosynthesis images demonstrate similar findings. Ultrasound: Breast ultrasound was performed at 3:00 in the left breast breast, approximately 4.4 cm from the nipple, and demonstrated 8 x 3 x 6 mm morphologically normal intramammary lymph node corresponding to the focal asymmetry seen mammographically.. IMPRESSION: 1. Benign finding. Routine follow-up is recommended. BI-RADS Category 2: Benign. Recommendation Laterality: Bilateral These findings were relayed to the patient at the time of the study. -Full digital 2D and 3D mammography performed.

ctmbsikia

Hi. So sorry you are worried but a birad 2 is good. Your docs sending you for 3D is good. Just keep following up. I was one who never went and I do recall feeling different things at different times but in the end it didn’t make a bit of difference in regards to what I did or did not do. I think your symptoms over 5 yrs changed which is to be expected which is why I say follow up. The comparison these radiologist do has been right on so far with me. Try not to worry. I know it’s hard. Sometimes breast cancer is small and unseen which again is why it’s so important to keep up with the imaging as they will follow any changes to a T. Take care

artlover55

Thank you ctmbskia for your comment and good wishes. Well it is my fault for going that long without a mammogram. After having numerous mammograms over the years I somehow got it in my head that I was probably not ever going to have breast cancer.

One thing is my mother and sister both died very young. My mom died at age 24 and my sister just before her 4th birthday in two separate tragic events. I didn't ever know my father so I don't have very much maternal family to help me to figure out my genetic risks. My oldest daughter had thyroid cancer.

Well I believe the Birad 2 grading or rating is a mistake. In my reading about the risk of breast asymmetry possible being cancer it said that it should always warrant a biopsy and be rated a Birad 4. The reason is that in studies that showed developing asymmetry on a dx mammogram the chances of it being cancer went up to almost 30%. Anything that has a 2% or higher chance of being cancer should be rated BIRADS 4 according to my findings.

You take care as well and thank you for all you do on this site supporting others.

exbrnxgrl

When in doubt, get a second opinion. Take care.

LivinLife

I think you've been wise being persistent with all you described above. Please let us know how appointment with the specialist goes and any additional testing you might have.... Sending support and gentle hugs....

Marcar1

yes. Please let us know how your appt goes! Best of luck.

Marcar1

yes. Please let us know how your appt goes! Best of luck.

artlover55

The breast specialist has ordered a new ultrasound for next week on September 30th. Hopefully it will provide some answers. Since this ultrasound is for both breasts and underarms I will accept the outcome/results.