Skipping Invasive Tests??

Now that surgery, chemo and rads are done, I have a diagnostic mammo every 6 months on the left breast. I also have my yearly mammo on both breasts and an yearly MRI. My issue is that every time the radiologist sees a change, they want to do a biopsy, ultrasound or other test. The first 6 month mammo I had, they scared the crap out of me when they saw my usual cysts. The radiologist had me come back for an ultrasound and recommended a biopsy. I went for the biopsy and after she did the aspiration, I developed breast and truncal lymphedema. The results were benign.

The next time I had my 6 month mammo, the technician pressed the breast so tight that brown fluid came out. They had me come back for an ultrasound and they recommended I have a ductile biopsy. After reading about the fluid, I found out it's normal and after age 40, there is waste in the milk ducts that can secrete. Of course, it only happened because of the pressure she applied. I went back for the ultrasound, but said no to another needle. On that visit, the doctor released some fluid and said there was no blood, so all was well. My issue was that they wanted to put a needle into my nipple when they really didn't have to. I had also had an MRI just a few months before and all was clear.

So, here I am again on my 6 month follow-up and this time the doctor has the tech take extra films. Afterwards, she had me wait to speak with the doctor. Radiologist comes in and tells me they recommend a biopsy again. It appears I now have some micro calcifications in my breast that weren't there six months ago. She says that normally they would just watch this area, but because I've had cancer (mind you Stage 2, grade 1), they have to recommend a biopsy. Her report says Birads 4a, low suspicion. I told her I wasn't thrilled with a biopsy again and she said she has to recommend a biopsy, but is fine with waiting for the 6 month follow-up. She did, however, give me the line, "if it was me, I would have the biopsy just to be sure." When I got home, I was upset and did a bit of research. It seems that many women who have gone through radiation and other cancer treatment develop micro calcifications. It also said they happen after menopause and they are normal. The ones she showed me on the films look nothing like the clusters that show up as dcis.

Anyone else have doctors that are always recommending more and more treatment even after all the "real treatment" is done?

doxie, thanks so much for your thoughts. You are so right about scar tissue and I didn't even think of that one. In my case, it felt more like she was recommending a biopsy to cover her ass and not to protect mine. I could see it in her face when she spoke. I feel like they cry wolf a lot and you know how that goes. God forbid something really be wrong, but if it is, I suppose I'll know more in 6 months :-). If there is no additional calcifications in that area, I suppose I would have been right to skip. If it looks like there are more calcifications in that area, then perhaps I'll rethink my decision. Thanks for listening.

So here's the funny thing right now... my ob/gyn office called the next morning after the mammo to make sure I new what the radiologist found and they agreed that sometimes it's overkill. Late that day, my family doctor's office called to make sure I had the report and that I was following up. My BS (who I do like a lot/old friend) who is the one who is my main doctor hasn't yet called to talk about this. I even called his office today to see if an MRI would tell us more either now or next May when my yearly mammo happens. Well, guess who I haven't heard from and the test was November 12th??? Doesn't sound like he's too concerned :-).

When you find out you have cancer for the first time, you do everything they tell you. When your 2 plus years out and you've seen the "over treatment" that can occur, you don't know who to believe. I do appreciate everyone's thoughts very much. Thanks.