Mammogram before Radiation?

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duneswoman
duneswoman Member Posts: 5
edited June 2014 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

My RadOnc had me have a mammogram before starting therapy, as a precaution. How normal is this? I had a lumpectomy just shy of 2 months ago, the margins and nodes were clear, but the mammogram today found one spot of calcification so now they want a biopsy. I think I'm just tired of getting poked and prodded! But I do wonder if it's too soon after my surgery, as most sources I've consulted suggest waiting 6 months. I'd like to hear others' experiences! Thanks!

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  • desdemona222b
    desdemona222b Member Posts: 776
    edited June 2009

    Do you mean waiting six months after surgery for rads?  That's news to me.  I started my radiation more like 6 weeks after surgery - they like to start it as soon as you've healed from the surgery.

    They want to err on the safe side because if the area is DCIS, the rads won't take care of it.  Don't know why they missed the area the first time, but it does happen.  I had two radiologists and an oncological surgeon looking at my mammos prior to surgery, and all three of them agreed that there was only one spot that needed to be removed.  When I got to the hospital, the radiologist there decided she wanted an area near the nipple excised as well because she saw a few calcs.  It came out negative.

    Sorry you're going through this again - it's tough I know, but the docs just want to make sure there's no more DCIS in your breast, especially with it being grade 3.  Try your best to just take it one day at a time. 

    Hugs and prayers. 

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  • duneswoman
    duneswoman Member Posts: 5
    edited June 2009

    Thanks, Desdemona for the response! Actually it's been almost 8 weeks since my surgery, so I'm just a little off track for the rads. But I just wondered if a post-op mammogram before rads is normal? I guess it doesn't matter; they see something and I need a biopsy. But I thought the 1st post-op mammogram was 6 months. But you're right, I need to take it one day at a time, and not over-analyze. Hope you're doing well yourself!

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  • desdemona222b
    desdemona222b Member Posts: 776
    edited June 2009

    I'm doing great, hon.  I'm 7 years out - you'll be fine.  Once all this is behind you, you can go back to a normal life and you'll have a better outlook on things because of this.  I know it's hell right now, but there are also good things that come of it - appreciating the fact that you're alive more and the outpouring of love from your family and friends are only two of them.

    I honestly can't remember if the radiologist I went to did a mammo or not, but as I said, my treatment was 7 years ago.  I think your radiologist is showing an abundance of caution and concern in doing that, though.  Sounds like he or she is a good doctor.

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  • ADK
    ADK Member Posts: 2,259
    edited June 2009

    Hi,

    My medical onc insisted on a mammo before I was able to start radiation.  I think it was because I had not had a mammo before surgery.  My treatment ws 3 years ago.  I have a personal thing against mammos and my breast surgeon intervened and ordered a MRI instead.  I only do MRIs now.  It does seem normal to me that they would want to have a baseline after surgery before radiation.  Good Luck to you.   

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  • Jisman
    Jisman Member Posts: 149
    edited June 2009

    I too had a mammo before starting radiation.  Sounded like they just wanted to check how things were going after surgery and to establish a new baseline.  I'm almost 1 year out of rads now.  10 months of Tamoxifen down; 4 years and 2 months to go.

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  • nelia48
    nelia48 Member Posts: 539
    edited June 2009

    Since I had a mastectomy, no possible mammo here!  But I did start rads about 6 weeks after surgery.  My stitches were barely healed up!!!!!

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  • desdemona222b
    desdemona222b Member Posts: 776
    edited June 2009

    You know, the build-up to the actual therapy is almost a blur to me.  I can barely remember the set up visit, or whatever it's called.  I was so frightened.  Anyway, I guess it may be a comfort for others to know that these memories may fade away over time - or maybe I'm just getting old.

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  • GloDee
    GloDee Member Posts: 20
    edited June 2009

    Duneswoman:  I see my oncologist tomorrow for the first visit, so I called several friends to get some info.  ALL said I would have a mammo BEFORE starting radiation.  I said I would NOT do that because I have been extremely sore/painful/swollen and had a terrible postop recovery.  They would have to chase me for a mammogram at this point.  All ladies again said dr. would not start rad w/o first doing new mammo.  Am anxious to see what the oncologist says tomorrow.  I may have to put off rad at least a month or so because I am still very sore.  I am 6 weeks postop.

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  • GloDee
    GloDee Member Posts: 20
    edited June 2009

    This is to anyone who doesn't mind answering a dumb question.  I am new to Discussion Boards/chat rooms.  How do you put the medical info that shows your DX, size, stage, etc., below your posting?

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  • bethaib
    bethaib Member Posts: 125
    edited June 2009

    It's under the heading "My Home" ...big tabs near the top of the page

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  • Carla56
    Carla56 Member Posts: 7
    edited September 2012

    Im just 7 weeks out of surgery s/p lumpectomy and still abit swollen and sore:-( My radiation oncologist insists I get a mammogram before radiation. I got to tell you I'm not that happy about this! All she said was I will probably need Advil before I go in. I guess besides being painful I'm nervous if they find anything else...the surgeon got clear margins however found a .6 cm in 1 node I'm a stage 1b grade 1 BRACA - ER+ PR+ HER2- Oncotype 5 plus I'm getting tattooed tomorrow for my rads....anyone else been through a mammo before rads...can I turn this down? Feeling I'm at the mercy of my doctors

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  • maria20
    maria20 Member Posts: 6
    edited May 2013

    I just had initial pre RADs consultation and my lumpectomy was only 3 weeks ago - but I was told I will still need a mammogram (and ? a CT scan) before therapy starts.  I questioned this too - it would be only about 5-6 weeks from the one I just had - don't care about the breast soreness but don't want them "looking for more trouble"  ?????     He said "just in case there are more calcifications, you can have another excision..... ".   I'm like ... great ... my prognosis is decent according to the one they just did -last month - and you want to look for another place to do an excision?   Good grief...

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  • proudtospin
    proudtospin Member Posts: 5,972
    edited May 2013

    I had 2 lumpies, cleared for rads, RO wanted a mamo pulled and I thought it was to be sure he knew where to point the radiation...anyway, had the mamo and they found more DCIS in a slightly dif spot

    sigh, so a 3rd lumpie before I could start my rads

    but the good thing, it is 5 years from the week I was diagnosed, soon will get to end my aromasin and all is good and no reoccureance

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