When you were diagnosed...

Neither my gp or bs thought it was cancer

Dr told me it was after mamo and US.  Two separate biopsy's have since come back B9.  I am now waiting for the final results of my lumpectomy, it's hard to relax and not worry about it as the Dr was so convinced.

Kmtmom, a chunk of cancer that big would have you dead already! I was told that by the first sugeon who did my first lumpectomy 33 years ago. BUT, having said that, there could be a small little bit of cancer in the middle of it. That's why we say "The best lump is one in a jar". There is NO way for anyone to know yet, until it is under a microscope. Seriously. They can ASSume all they want, they can make fair guesses based on what they've seen before, but seriously, they can't know for sure.

Because my MRI had vascular invasion, they were pretty sure that it was cancer. What else needs it's own blood system to keep it alive? But it was after a bad mammo, where I bled all over the panel, that I was told my lump was "worrisome for cancer". The docs exact words. They don't want you to be blindsided, and they don't want to give you false hope either. It's a fine line the techs walk. The tech after the mammo said "Don't be worried, but be concerned". Good advice.

Good luck, sweetie! Keep us posted HERE so we know what happens. 

my cancer was only found on an mri so obviously i think they are the best test out there.  others with different experiences might feel diffrent, but to me, the more tests the better, rather 5 tests come out b9 then not have gotten the 5th test that could have picked up an early stage cancer.  one thing i have learned is go with your gut, keep asking questions and don't stop till you find a dr. you feel is listening to you and taking the best possible care of you.  lots of times things are b9 and i hope you get b9 results from the mri as well but glad they are persuing an mri.  good luck

Barbe, sounds like a hoot with telling your co worker!  I work with mostly male (or at least the English speaking workers are mostly male~~) so I can get it a little of the idea, have had some odd comments from the guys here although lately, I do believe that they talk to their wives first before commenting too much to me, better for me and them

My radiologist sat down with me and went over both the mammogram and ultrasound.  There was a mass on the ultrasound and microcalcifications about 1cm underneath the mass.  She never really told me what she suspected, but later when I received her report from my PCP (about 2 months later) her report said that she was highly supicious that it was cancer.  She tried to do a biopsy - but it was tricky (because the mass was really dense and she couldn't get to the chest wall microcalcifications using ultrasound guided technology).  So, she told me that regardless of the results of her biopsy that she was referring me to a breast surgeon.

The breast surgeon said that he suspected it was cancer - he was able to get to the mass (using bigger bore needles), but he was going to have to get to the microcalcifications surgically, regardless of what the mass biopsy showed.  

At the end of the day, the mass was 2 separate foci of DCIS and the microcalcifications were ADH and other benign stuff.   They ended up taking about ~ 5 cm of tissue (5 x 4 x 1 -- it was a weird shape).   

I also had a fibroadenoma and cysts, and they could see those pretty easily, and knew that they were nothing to worry about (some of them got taken out during the lumpectomy because they were "in the region" of the margins).   All together, from first mammogram and ultrasound to surgery was 3 months.

MRI is great -- but it also has a really high false positive rate -- so don't freak out if you need a biopsy based on the results ... try (as hard as it is) to take things one step at a time. 

When I went to the pcp with my lump, he said "I can see why you'r worried.  We'll make you an appointment.  I got in for the mammogram and ultrasound and the imaging center said "don't worry, scar tissue" When I went in 18 months latter the rad tech who met me for my appointment told me the radiologist was "concerned about the old images" and I would need to wait while he went over the new images.  Again Mammogram and ultra sound.  Then he came in, explained that my lump had (to his eyes) been suspicious 18 months ago and was even more ominous now.  Would I mind if he did a biopsy right away?  He did and he told me he'd be calling by lunch time tomorrow and that my pcp would be referring me to a breast surgeon, even "best case" which he didn't expect that lump needs to go.  By 11 AM the cancer navigator had called, my pcp had called and the radiologist had called...

Oh wow how awful for all of u---my Dr. has been my Dr. for 30 yrs so we get each other.  After my Mammo-he left a couple of messages and I didn't return right away. Then he finally ot a hold of me and was hysterical  (I was laughin) he said he made all my appointments for the week with my new drs. ??? He got hysterical I calmed him down and told him Don't worry so much.

When I met my NEW drs. they told me how upset my Dr. was and when he called he wanted me to be taken immediately for all tests. I was still laughing about him. But my tests and results were pretty fast so he managed that.  My waiting was really nothing to speak of. Of course I knew it was going to be a disaster and it was but I really love my Dr. and loved the whole team he set me up with. Maybe it's not the normal way to find out and maybe some would object, but like I've said after all these yrs. that's how it is with our relationship--he such a character--we match

My tumor was so small it could not be felt. I had my annual mamo, and the radiologist who read it, saw it. He told me it was most likely cancer. I came back for more mamos and an ultra sound. I asked if he could be the Doctor that read them. Again the verdict was cancer. He told me that it would take a biopsy to conferm. I had a lumpectomy, the Doctor told my husband that it was cancer.

My story starts with my gallbladder. I know that sounds weird. But two years ago I suddenly had horrible burning pains after eating, and intense pain like something squeezing my stomach when I did eat. Primary doc put me on acid reflux meds. Didn't help. It got to point where all I could eat was cottage cheese and chicken broth. Referred to gastro who suspected ulcer(s), performed endoscopy and found no ulcers but evidence of really bad acid reflux. Put me on stronger meds. Still didn't help, I lost 20 lbs (that I could not afford) in 6 weeks. Finally had another test involving injecting dye and some kind of machine to test my gallbladder function. BINGO ! Gallbladder was starting to fail. The week before my gallbladder surgery, I was sitting on couch watching TV. Had an itch on my left boob. Felt a kidney-bean sized lump. Quite startling, to say the least. But I have had history of benign cysts that would inflate and deflate with my cycle, so didn't totally freak out. Can only assume I suddenly felt the lump because of the weight loss -- and we all know the boobs are usually the first to go when losing weight. Went to gyno the next day, he scheduled me for emergency mammo. Mammo showed it to be a solid mass, so had 3 core-punch biopsies (sorry if I'm getting terminology wrong, it's been awhile now). Had results two days later -- lump was an intraductal pappilloma (benign, wart-like growth in the milk ducts). I was told I could leave it alone or have it removed if it bothered me. Being that I was scheduled for first surgery of my life (the gallbladder) in just a few days, I decided to leave it alone. A year goes by and it's time for my annual gyno appt. He feels the lump and says "does this  feel bigger to you?" I say "maybe..." It's time for my mammo anyway, so I get that done. Now the recommendation is to remove it, "just in case". I'm not worried, as the 3 samples from biopsy the year before came back benign. I have the lump removed on March 27, 2011. Told I will have the results in a couple of days. Surgeon is confidant this was a "Better safe than sorry" situation. I'm left with a half moon scar on my left breast, no real divot or anything missing. I'm feeling pretty lucky. Until I don't hear from the surgeon about my results as the days go by. I call and am told by his nurse that "something is holding up the results, but the doctor will call as soon as he can." On April 4, the doctor calls to tell me that DCIS was hiding under the pappilloma. In his 25 years of removing papillomas, he never had one hiding cancer cells underneath it. He is so sorry to have to tell me this news. But immediately assures me it is such early-stage cancer that as long as I take steps to remove it, I should be OK. And from there I rode the roller-coaster of research, consultations, decisions, freak-outs, etc. I had choices:  lumpectomy with radiation (plus 5 years of Tamosxifen) or mastectomy (single, double, with or without recon). Due to family history and my age (42 at diagnosis) and my propensity for being a worry-wart, I ended up going with bilateral mastectomy. I was a candidate for one-step recon, so everything was done in a 7-hour surgery and I woke up with new foobs. I'm now just over a year out from surgery and do not regret my decision. I'm doing great -- and I guess I have my gallbladder to thank for that ! Funny how life works, sometimes...

My NP who I saw for my annual exam - said she felt a "ridge" and "wasn't overly concerned but I probably needed it checked out" so she sent me for a diagnostic mammo (was only 38, had never had any kind of mammo) but said "if I wanted it could wait a few months but I shouldn't wait til next year".  I had the mammo 10 days later. 

My first clue was when the tech asked in a conversational tone "so do you have a family history of BC"? during the mammo.  Then the radiologist straight up told me he was pretty sure it was cancer and I needed a biopsy. He thought it was DCIS.  Radiologist (different) after the biopsy said it was likely IDC and the next day had results which confirmed.

one day earlier..

heero, you can read more about fibroadenomas and treatment for them at the main Breastcancer.org site in the section What Mammograms Show: Calcifications, Cysts, Fibroadenomas.

The Mods

Heero, a fibroadenoma is a benign, NON cancerous growth. Your doctor should have explained all that to you, shame on him!!! Can you ask your PCP for a clear explanation so you feel better?

High Risk women are; dense breasts, family history, ADHP, etc. I just responded to the title, not the category.

I had one of the men in my office "poo poo" my lump saying "Oh breast cancer is like a chronic disease these days, it's nothing to worry about." I didn't say anything back. ONE MONTH later, his daughter in law got diagnosed with breast cancer. Ta Da! Karma bit him in the ass!! I reminded him about his comment and he didn't even remember it!

When I went back to work after my double mast I told the guys to look out, "I may have lost my breasts, but I found my balls!"