Should I push for an MRI or just wait to see BS?

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hipjo76
hipjo76 Member Posts: 7

This is longer than I intended.  I'm 35.  In December 2009, I found a lump on my R breast in the 3 o'clock position so went to family doctor and she felt it to.  Mammogram was ordered but no lump seen (they felt it but couldn't see it) the US the same day couldn't see it either.  So I was referred to a breast surgeon due to a family history of BC.  Maternal grandmother had it at age 50 and had UMX, chemo and rad, died 15 years later of mets.  Mother died when I was 16 in a car accident so no history from her.  No breast cancer on father's side but other cancers.  January 2010 saw breast surgeon who felt lump and offered to: biopsy it, wait and see what happened in 3 months, or do a lumpectomy.  I'm an anxious person so chose lumpectomy.  Unfortunately had a very bad cold and had to wait.  February 2010 had the lumpectomy which was B9 (a limpoma).

In August 2011, I found another lump on the R breast in the 6 o'clock position.  Gyn ordered a mammogram.  After many films they saw the lump.  The center set up an MRI guided biopsy before I could form a sentence.  The biopsy revealed "hyperplasia" and was told to follow up in 6 months for a mammo.  February 2012 had 6 month f/u mammo of R breast found nothing new (again after many films) and told come back in 6 months for mammo of both breasts.  

Now it's May 2012 and I found a lump in 3 o'clock position of R breast which has been having off and on pain for several weeks and a one time occurrence of nipple discharge - clear in color.  Looking back I wished I had gone to see breast surgeon after last lump finding so I asked my gyn to refer me back to the breast surgeon who did the original lumpectomy in 2010 which she did.  No new mammo has been ordered and an appt has been made for June 1.  

I have since found another lump in the 9 o'clock position on my L breast.  The surgeon's office does not want a new mammo but my gyn is willing to order one.  The mammos are almost an ordeal with taking additional films due to large dense breasts and difficulty seeing near the chest wall plus the numerous people doing breast exams.  So after reading the boards I am wondering if I should request an an MRI or should I just wait until I see the breast surgeon on June 1st - 2 1/2 weeks away????  Anxiety kicking in big time.  

Comments

  • traceyb
    traceyb Member Posts: 27
    edited May 2012

    The breast surgeon will most probably order an MRI. I had 3 tumors, only one showed on the mammogram, the other 2 only on MRI; all were invasive ductal carcinoma. The waiting is the worst part. Call and ask to be put on a cancelation list or see another surgeon who can get you in quicker. Push for the MRI. 

  • hipjo76
    hipjo76 Member Posts: 7
    edited May 2012

    I pushed for the MRI and now have one scheduled but due to it needing to be done during my cycle the MRI is the day before my appt with the BS.  I figured out my breast density score is a 3 so I think that helped the insurance company approve the MRI. 

  • ruthevans41
    ruthevans41 Member Posts: 11
    edited May 2012

    Even i would suggest you to go for MRI test done as mammogram does not showas the correct figure.

  • LAstar
    LAstar Member Posts: 1,574
    edited May 2012

    I had to push for an MRI also but it was very helpful for showing the extent of my DCIS.  Glad you are getting one!

  • mawhinney
    mawhinney Member Posts: 1,377
    edited May 2012

    Talk to the breast specialist about the benefits and drawbacks of available tests. Ask which tests will be most helpful in your case.  Each of the available tests may highlight something that was not detected by other tests.  My cancer did not show up on a mammogram but was seen on an MRI.

  • TAMallick
    TAMallick Member Posts: 10
    edited June 2012

    MRI can give us good result. If you have need MRI, your doctor must suggest you.

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