upcoming followup MRI ....nervous

breastquest

I'm a 1 1/2 years out from DCIS, O diagnosis, lumpectomy. I've had my 6mos mammo, 1 year mammo, and now I have a MRI scheduled at a year and a half out for this week. Because my DCIS was so small, I did not need radiation. However, I'm worried because I just didn't commit to the Tamox, and MRIs seem to show so much and some of these things could be false positives or possibly real positives!! I'm just afraid of the results at this juncture. If I had taken the Tamox, I might not have felt this way. (And most likely will start it up soon).... But, here I am facing this again.

Just wanted to know how many women, faced recurrences or new suspicious areas in other breast after a 6 month all clear mammo?

Thx.

LivinLife

I just want to wish you well with your MRI!!! I understand your scanxiety.... this being your first follow-up MRI since lumpectomy too. Keep in mind if they see anything suspicious there will be a wait (Ugh!) and yet you will have follow-up on that before long so you know what's going on. Here's hoping no concerns for you!!

Salamandra

For what it's worth, I guess you would feel this way whether or not you had taken radiation and tamoxifen.

Scanning is scary.

MRIs are known for false positives. Agreeing to MRI scanning means accepting the risk of the stress of false positives. I knew that when I *asked* my doctor to let me do regular MRI screening.

When push came to shove and I was recommended a biopsy based on an MRI screening, I was still completely terrified. It was a false positive. Phew. I hope all of yours are as well! It's the nature of MRIs. I am going to continue with MRI screening because I think the potential benefit outweighs the stress and anxiety for me, but the stress is real.

Hang in there!

DaisyGurl1234

Good morning Ladies,

I was diagnosed in 2018 with IDC stage 1, grade 2, right breast. Had a lumpectomy. Clear margins and no node involvement. Went through 33 rounds of radiation, no problem. Been on Tamoxifen for 2.5 years. Everything is good. Had all my follow-up appointments, mammograms, labs, etc. religiously since diagnosis. During my annual well-woman exam I asked my doctor to feel an area that seemed different in my left breast. She and I both agreed it should be looked at and my annual mammo was moved up a couple of months. Went for mammo and U/S and radiologist came in and said he didn't see anything that was worrisome, but I should meet with my breast surgeon because they may want to do an MRI since I have a history. Went to appointment, doc agreed, set up MRI. Had MRI and doctor called me and said there was an area of suspicion that was enhanced in the area of the palpable lump. So, I am off on Thursday for an MRI biopsy. Am I worried? No. I think it's probably just fibrous tissue. But, my doctors are being very cautious because of history. I will soon find out.

The first year after diagnosis, every little ache freaked me out. I remember asking my onco, how do you know if something isn't right...I don't want to be one of those crazy people! He said just listen to your body.

You just have to take a deep breath and relax.