Don't skip your mammos!

Di, there are a number of women who post on these boards who had tumors found after their very first mammo. Honestly, what your doc says about lack of baseline information doesn't quite make sense to me; sure it is nice to have a baseline for comparison, but a lot of women here report either finding it at baseline, or that their tumor didn't show up on mammo due to dense breast tissue. What were the further tests you mentioned? I'd consider asking for a second opinion on waiting. You could have an ultrasound or MRI done now to look at that suspicious area.

Hi D-

We want to welcome you to our community here at BCO. We're sorry for the worry that brings you here, but we're glad you've joined us, and hope you find it to be a supportive place.

We agree with with ALittleBitBritish and Octogirl about either seeking a second opinion, or pushing for further testing. If there was a "significant finding", a baseline isn't really necessary to determine if it's troublesome. Tumors are discovered at the first mammo quite frequently, with no baseline comparison. Asking for an ultrasound to see the suspicious area more clearly seems like a reasonable request.

Please keep us posted on how you proceed, we'll be thinking of you!

The Mods

Were the two mammograms at different facilities?

Hi D00056:

I also fell behind on my screening. The most recent mammogram was several years old. Old enough that they were not even digital, yet they served as a sufficient comparators (once they got them out of storage).

Please push for further assessment. I note you said:

"The doctor had a "significant finding" and so I was called back in for more tests only to be told to "come back in 6 months because we don't really have any mammos to compare the findings to.""

Are you saying that you had a suspicious finding on a mammogram, were called back in for a diagnostic mammogram, but that the diagnostic mammogram was not even performed? Please let us know.

If that is the case, it seems like they are flip-flopping. Also, the reason given (lack of a good comparator) is spurious (bs) as noted by the Moderators and others. All of which makes me think you may wish to consider transferring your care to a better breast center if at all possible. You can request that copies of all images taken to date be provided to the new center or request them on disk and hand carry them (that was the process I had to follow in 2013).

Whether or not you transfer your care, as suggested above, please also request copies of all written reports regarding the recent and prior mammograms, so you can be fully informed. Look for comments about density and any BI-RADS scores, as well as possible recommendations from the radiologist for further assessment by imaging and/or biopsy.

One thing I learned was that the skill, judgment, and/or experience of the radiologist can be a factor in accurate diagnosis. After my diagnosis of breast cancer on the right side, I sought a second opinion review of all mammograms, MRI imaging, pathology from biopsies, and all associated reports. My main interest was in obtaining a review of the pathology and surgical recommendation. I was surprised when a diagnostic mammogram of the left side was requested, which led to a surgical biopsy, and finding of DCIS on the left. [Edited to add: This is not evidence of the left side assertion, but just an example in which the skill, judgment, and/or experience of the radiologist was important.]

BarredOwl

Hi D00056:

I wasn't sure what you meant by "doctor" above. You could try to obtain a referral to a "breast surgeon" as a next step, if you have not already met with one. This should be a doctor whose practice focuses on the evaluation of possible breast cancers and treatment of breast cancer patients.

As a very first step, see what your reports say. If you get your written records, and they contain a recommendation for some further action that has not yet been done, that action could be your next step (e.g., further imaging at this time or biopsy (Recommendation X)). Insurance should cover that, but it is always good to confirm in advance. You can then contact another institution with a breast center (confirm with your insurance that they are in-network), and say you would like to obtain a review of your imaging (mammograms, ultrasound) and all related reports, and that the paperwork contained Recommendation X , which you also want done. They will tell you what their procedure is, including whom you would see.

If no recommended step has been omitted, call your insurance company to ask if any referral is needed for a second opinion and about possible coverage for a second opinion. Again, contact another institution with a breast center (confirm with your insurance that they are in-network), and say you would like to obtain a review of your imaging (mammograms, ultrasound), all related reports and a recommendation regarding same. They will tell you what their procedure is, including whom you would see.

Do you have an NCI-designated cancer center/hospital near you? You could check with your insurance provider that the hospital and its staff are in-network, and then go to the web site for the NCI-designated cancer center/hospital and find the Breast Center or Cancer Center. There should be information there.

http://www.cancer.gov/research/nci-role/cancer-cen...

Hopefully others who may have gone down this road will chime in.

BarredOwl

Hi D00056 - just wanted to share my situation in hopes it will help you find your way through yours. I'm also in a "watch and wait" situation - having bilateral diagnostic mammograms with magnification, and sometimes ultrasound every 6 months for 2 years. I'm told this is because I have no previous mammograms for them to compare - and that it is standard protocol. I am Birads 3. I am 62 - first mammogram was earlier this year. Was called back for bilateral diagnostic mammograms with magnification and ultrasound. The finding was bilateral faint calcifications. In February, I had a biopsy on one breast which came back fibrous cystic breast changes - no atypical cells. Because I have no previous mammograms for them to compare, they want me to do theirstandard protocol of every 6 months for 2 years. I have family history of b.

I waited the six months instead of having an ultrasound done immediately. I should have gotten a second opinion included with that ultrasound. I ended up with a bmx - but first I spent six months worrying. Hopefully that will not be the case for anyone else, but I cannot pass up the chance to tell others not to make my mistake.

Kfarrands, yes, it is not uncommon, unfortunately! Keep us posted.