change in breast tissue - (possible 2nd diagnosis)

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Ginad
Ginad Member Posts: 3
edited June 2014 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

I have been cancer free for 8 years.  Just had my yearly mammogram and they are saying they want to do an MRI due to changes in my breast tissue (whiter) in my other breast.  I had the oncotype test done with my first diagnosis and had a very low score.  I thought this was behind me and now am going through the anxiety of everything all over.....  They say it may be due to me being off tamoxifen and breast tissue changing but it also may be a mass.  Last year's mammogram they took additional pictures of this breast and then said it was ok.....  I am so scared that there was something there last year and they left it go.  I hate the anxiety of not knowing and the thought of what may come.  I am only 48, had my first diagnosis at 40 did surgery, radiation and tamoxifen. 

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  • Karen3
    Karen3 Member Posts: 307
    edited January 2014

    Hi Ginad,

    I can completely understand your anxiety but take a deep breath and wait and see what further tests reveal. It sounds like your medical team are really on top of things. I have triple negative BC so haven't been able to take medication such as tamoxifen - but since it's role is to suppress hormones, I would guess that the changes the hospital have seen in your breast tissue might have been caused by the effects of taking the drug. I was only just 46 when first diagnosed and 48 when I was diagnosed the second time. It's a bit of a roller-coaster ride. Lets hope they can do the MRI quickly and you get some answers soon. Thinking of you.

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  • Ginad
    Ginad Member Posts: 3
    edited January 2014

    Thank you for getting back to me.   I'm just so scared that them not doing something more last year could mean that if it is bc, it's further along (1 year) then if they would have looked into last year.  I have been doing tons of research and haven't seen anything on breast tissue changing due to tamoxifen.   The wait is the worst.   I have to go to work and pretend nothing is wrong.   I have two boys who are the world to me along with a supporting and loving husband.  I just loss my Dad to lung cancer.  I'm worried it is back and spread.   I hate all this anxiety.   

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  • dogsandjogs
    dogsandjogs Member Posts: 1,907
    edited January 2014

    I had a second cancer in my other breast 28 years after the first one. The radiologist said that if cancer is in the other breast it is a new primary, not a recurrence. Also, mine had been growing 8 to 10 years, he said.

    Hopefully it is not cancer, most of them aren't.

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  • georgie1112
    georgie1112 Member Posts: 282
    edited January 2014

    I had been watching significant changes in my right breast 5 years out from my diagnosis and first surgery. Changes were noted on 2 MRIs but nothing that looked like cancer. Then 7 years out from my cancer diagnosis, calcifications, LCIS and ALH were found during stereotactic and excisional biopsies. 

    Luckily for me, no cancer. But something was changing in this breast where I had the original cancer. I was stressed for two years feeling my breast lump grow and I opted for BMX with the support if my MO. I was told radiation can cause changes in breast tissue but it is more often during the first 3 years. But my breast changes began at year 5. 

    So changes don't necessarily mean cancer. It IS incredibly stressful, especially when you've been through a cancer diagnosis before.  Waiting is the worst!!! Hopefully your tests will come back clear. 

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  • Karen3
    Karen3 Member Posts: 307
    edited January 2014

    Hi Ginad - there is no doubt that this is such a hard road to travel. I totally understand what you are saying about going back to work and 'pretending' nothing is wrong. I am a teacher and I remember having to go back into the classroom and teach just after a biopsy following the changes I felt in the opposite breast. It's so very hard! But in another way, work is a distraction I suppose. 

    Lets hope for answers soon! X

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  • Ginad
    Ginad Member Posts: 3
    edited January 2014

    Had the MRI and it came back the left is fine but the right, original bc breast has something suspicious that showed up.  They did ultrasound couldn't see it so now need an MRI biopsy.  It is in the same spot as the original area.  They are saying its 7mm by 3mm.    I have been going crazy waiting now for the biopsy.  Has anyone experienced this and have it turn out to be nothing.....   If it is, how quickly must I get a mastectomy if it hasn't spread.  How will they know if it spread, will they do surgery to remove some nodes again.   I want to be mentally prepaid.  

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