mammogram after bilateral

Options
annie7216
annie7216 Member Posts: 96
edited June 2014 in DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)

Hi again

I's been awhile since I've been on the boards, but I'm scheduled for my usual 6 month followup and was told I was getting a mammogram in addition to an ultrasound prior to seeing the doctor. My diagnosis in August 2009 was DCIS. I thought bilateral masectomy with reconstruction (silicone implants) meant no more mammograms. The doctor was already gone for the day and the receptionist didn't know much more, so I'll have to wait until Monday. Anyone else get mammograms after a bilateral? Thank you for always being so supportive. This forum has been a life saver for me!

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Deirdre1
    Deirdre1 Member Posts: 1,461
    edited April 2011

    I don't have mammo's since my bi-lateral.  My bs will schedule a breast MRI every 2-3 years - ..  different doc's encourage different tests though..  The breast MRI is used primarily to check and see if the implant is still fully intact since there is so little breast tissue left..  I would call and ask the bs directly if a mammo is necessary.. Good Luck!  Deirdre

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • shannonW
    shannonW Member Posts: 186
    edited April 2011

    Just had BMX and was told no more mammograms needed!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • toughmom38
    toughmom38 Member Posts: 79
    edited April 2011

    I had BMX and was also told no mammograms ever again!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Mantra
    Mantra Member Posts: 968
    edited April 2011

    I had my mastectomies done by two different doctors. The first surgeon said she still wants mammograms since there is always some breast tissue left. However, she was against MRI because of the false positives.

    The second surgeon said mammograms post mastectomy is a topic that is very much in discussion. However, she doesn't order them for her patients nor does she order MRI. She said she can't order an MRI unless something suspicious is found.

    I'm now having the second surgeon as my primary surgeon and am not seeing the first surgeon anymore. I figured having two surgeons . . . each entitled to only follow up with the side they did, Laughing was a bit ridiculous and chose the second surgeon because she is at a major cancer center.

    I was also concerned about having the area squeezed in a mammo machine possibly causing LE. I wear a medic alert bracelet saying "no needles or blood pressure on left side" and a mammo is way more squeezing. I was told that with implants, if any cancer presented, it would be pushed out to the front and easily seen. I have 6 month checkups which I imagine will soon be bumped to an annual checkup.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • annie7216
    annie7216 Member Posts: 96
    edited April 2011

    Thank you everyone for your replies. I'm wondering what additional information a mammogram shows that an ultrasound does not, at least of the reconstructed breast. Does anyone have any idea?

    So, Mantra, I assume you did nt have a mammogram after all? I was wondering if you did, what was it like? Painful? Uncomfortable? Thanks again.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Mantra
    Mantra Member Posts: 968
    edited April 2011

    Annie, no I never had a mammogram after the mastectomy. Just the thought of it makes my knees weak! If you google the subject, you'll be able to find articles discussing the pros and cons.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited April 2011

    I had a suspicious mass on my cancer side and my doc requested an US. When I booked the appt the clerk said mammo first. I said I don't have anything to mammo. So I arrived and the tech insisted I get a mammo. I dropped my gown (for the shock value) and said what the heck are you going to mammo??? She said we can still pull skin in. I said you're not touching my left side (side I needed checked) as I already have LE and didn't want to exacerbate it. She said they do LE patients all the time. I said not me!!! So anyway, she pulls about 3/4" of right breast skin under the plate and makes a big deal about taking the pics and then huffs and puffs and I finally get sent for an ultrasound. I get "the letter" about 2 weeks later congratulating me on a clear mammo and "see you in two years"! Yah right!

    I have another concern on my cancer side again and begged my doc to get me ultrasound without mammo. He was pissed that they pushed me last time. So this time I booked it at an Imaging Centre. I won't get an answer quickly but at least I won't have to waste everyone's time on a mammogram machine! Doi!!

    Years ago they actually burst a cyst in my breast so I was able to go 2 years with just ultrasound. I remember saying to the tech, "it kind of hurts right here". She said "oh, we don't ultrasound for pain". Too bad. That's where my cancer appeared!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • annie7216
    annie7216 Member Posts: 96
    edited April 2011

    Thank you again. I called my BS office again and now they're saying that I won't need a mammo. We'll see what happens on Monday at my appoinmtne but I feel better that a mammo is not awaiting me. For some reason the thought of it totally threw me. Thanks again to my BC sisters.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited April 2011

    Let us know how it goes Annie.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories