Here I go again

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MaryCatherine
MaryCatherine Member Posts: 2
edited June 2014 in DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)

Hi -

So dont even know where to start. Had DCIS in right breast 7 years ago @ 41, rad/tamx for 5 years. Had a biopsy in scar tissue that turned out ok. NOW they have found micro calcifications in the left breast. Frown

I have 4 younger sisters. The one after me had a dble mas last year. She was neg for BRACA & BART genes but we have a large family history of pre meno, even though mom has been ok.

I don't want to do this anymore. I hate even going to the mamos just for the fear factor. My tiny little breast that I have enjoyed just seem to bring more fear then pleasure these days. I haven't scheduled the biopsy yet I am thinking that I would like to see a surgeon and just be done. I hate to lose my breast, my sister says it's hard, and I am very attached to them. But so very tired!!

I don't even know if a doc or insurance will consider letting me do a masectomy.

Any thoughts? Any knowledge? Any encouragment?

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  • OldOakTree
    OldOakTree Member Posts: 173
    edited August 2013

    MaryCatherine -  I'm sorry you are going through this a second time.  I'm kind of in the same terrifying place as you.  I had DCIS 10 years ago, very small, lumpectomy only.  Now, like you, I have microcalcifications in the other side.  I had a stereo biopsy in Feb which was negative but in retrospect they really didn't get a good sample at all and I now have to have an excisional biopsy.  I wish I had known this at the time, I would have insisted on an excisional back then cause now I am sick as a dog thinking about all the what ifs.

    If in fact you do have cancer I can't imagine a doctor or insurance not consider letting you have a mastectomy.  Even if it is a teeny-tiny area and non-ivasive, mastectomy is one of your options.  It may not be the best option but there is no reason why insurance shouldn't cover it if that is what you want.  I was given the option of a mastectomy, my surgeon was reluctant to do it but there was no problem with my insurance covering it.  In the end though, I chose not to.

    Do you have a copy of your mammo report and any indication as to what type of calcifications you have and/or your birads score?  it sounds like you need to sit down and have a long talk with someone in the medical/breast cancer field who can best guide you with what option is best for you.  Do you have a good doctor that can help you with this or the resources to find one? (However, having said that, I know this kind of person is hard to find.  I've been searching for years for someone like that.) 

    Let me say, don't count your chickens before they hatch.  First get the biopsy on the calcifications and take it from there.  There are many reasons for them, definitely not all are malignant.  Once you know what you have in there, you will know your options, your can put things in perspective and you can better plan. (D***, I wish I could take my own advice, I'm already assuming I have invasive cancer or worse, I've really put myself into a deep depression over this.)

    Anyway, here's wishing for good outcomes for the both of us.  I can't wait for this bridge to be crossed and over with.

    OOT

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  • ballet12
    ballet12 Member Posts: 981
    edited August 2013

    Hi MaryCatherine,  I agree with OldOakTree.  Don't start counting the chickens.  Microcalcs are common.  I had a core biopsy on the second breast (also the left) after the very first follow-up mammo following DCIS treatment, this past May.  It was benign.  I may have a different attitude about this.  I am just anticipating that they will rush to biopsy often, and hopefully, it'll be benign.  If not, I'll deal with it.  If I end up having a recurrence on the DCIS breast, then I'd have to do a mastectomy (due to the whole breast rads).  I had a total of six surgeries on the DCIS side (three for the DCIS treatment, and three prior-one found ADH).  I was perversely glad that the latest biopsy involved the other side, finally.  Sorry you have to face this and wishing both of you good outcomes.  Did you ever get the BRCA testing yourself?  Mine was negative, which is one reason that I'm not as nervous about these biopsies.  I don't have an extensive breast cancer history, except my mom and a cousin, so I guess that helps also.

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