Going this week for first mammo since rads

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florida2015
florida2015 Member Posts: 186
edited December 2015 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

I don't know what board I should be on. I am very nervous about going for mammo and ultrasound my first since completing rads in May

Would like to find out how some of you handled it. Also do u get a mammo every 6 months?

Ends January 1, 2016.

When is it considered a year that you are cancer free? Is it a year from lumpectomy date?

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  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited November 2015

    Florida, you may find the mammogram more uncomfortable than in the past and may want to consider taking Advil or similar an hour or so before hand. Also, don't hesitate to speak up if it's really uncomfortable. You're barely 6 months out from radiation and there is probably still healing going on.

    I alternate mammograms with MRIs but I think most women are getting mammograms every 6 months - not sure.

    Good luck - and don't worry too much. Just be prepared and speak up if necessary. Hugs!

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  • florida2015
    florida2015 Member Posts: 186
    edited November 2015

    thank you for the advice about advil

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  • BrooksideVT
    BrooksideVT Member Posts: 2,211
    edited November 2015

    I had a six-month mammo on the treated side only. I was really nervous too, until my breast surgeon explained that this scan is timed to take place when most post-surgical changes have settled into their more-or-less permanent state. He was very clear that they are not expecting anything other than normal, normal, normal scar tissue and all, and that this particular scan is meant as a baseline only. Regular mammos start at one year and, assuming no issues, proceed annually. I chose the 3-D version, by the way.

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  • keepthefaith
    keepthefaith Member Posts: 2,156
    edited November 2015

    I got mammos every 6 months for the first two yrs. Now, I am on an annual mammo schedule. I don't remember any dis-comfort after rads. Best wishes!

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  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited November 2015

    By the way, it is common for the mammogram report to show a BIRADS 3 status and a statement of "probably benign." Don't freak out over this! My surgeon's NP explained that this is extremely common in reports for several years after surgery and simply reflects the change in status of the tissue.

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  • MsPharoah
    MsPharoah Member Posts: 1,034
    edited November 2015

    I had first mammo about 6 months after radiation and it was not uncomfortable at all. (Like you, I did feel anxious, though) I had another mammo 6 months later and then moved to annual mammo. I almost always have to have a sonogram after my mammo and yes, I have had a Birads 3 once. Very disconcerting but I was told it is normal because there can be changes even years after surgery and radiation. If you are the least bit concerned, take advil before your exam...(and after, if you are uncomfortable). I am cheering for you to have a great check up.

    MsP

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  • florida2015
    florida2015 Member Posts: 186
    edited November 2015

    so glad this board is here it's so helpful!! What image bi rads and for 6 month do they do 3d??

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  • MsPharoah
    MsPharoah Member Posts: 1,034
    edited November 2015

    Florida, the radiologist at my center recommends the 3D mammo if you have dense breasts, especially since most insurance companies will not fully cover the cost of 3D yet. I don't mind paying the extra money for 3D even though I do not have dense breasts. Not sure I understand your question, but if you want the 3D mammo and your center has the equipment, have your ordering physician request a 3D mammo on the orders. 3D are not specific to a birad rating....rather a testing type that has proven to be more effective, especially those with dense breast tissue.

    Good luck!

    MsP

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  • florida2015
    florida2015 Member Posts: 186
    edited November 2015

    I called today and found out 3D will not be available until January of 2016. So I will have my next mammo done 3d

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  • Cmo65
    Cmo65 Member Posts: 96
    edited November 2015

    I had my first post radiation mammo two weeks ago. It was benign. I left that radiology bldg walking on air!

    It was 3D, wonderful clear images and wasn't painful at all.

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  • MotherWillow
    MotherWillow Member Posts: 3
    edited December 2015

    Hi,

    I am new here :). I just finished rads on Nov. 23rd and I am scheduled for a F/U breast MRI or mammogram on Dec. 17th so I am anxious to hear how your mammogram went. Results yet? All good news I hope. I also have pretty extensive radiation burns and can not imagine how they will do any test on me w/o pain. Has anyone else had to have testing with open wounds?

    MotherWillow

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  • MsPharoah
    MsPharoah Member Posts: 1,034
    edited December 2015

    MotherWillowm, it seems odd that you would have follow up imaging, especially a mammo so soon after finishing rads. I would ask the ordering doctor exactly what test you will be having and why. I would never have imaging so soon or with unhealed or just healed skin.

    Good luck!

    MsP

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  • florida2015
    florida2015 Member Posts: 186
    edited December 2015

    I had mine. It was t 3d although they will have 3d shortly. I go to memorial Sloan on Long Island. They did ultrasound and i it was fine thank god no cancer!

    However confused. At that center they said come back in a yeAr ??? Confusing when I hear women say every 6 months

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  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited December 2015

    MotherWillow - Do NOT have a mammogram on your recently radiated breast at this time. The standard approach is six months following completion of radiation - for a reason. I don't care what order your doctor puts in, do not let them do your treated breast.

    My surgeon's office put in the wrong order for my regular mammogram - staff insisted on a bilateral when it should have been just my 'good' breast' and thus I had a mammogram on the treated breast 1 week after finishing radiation. I didn't even have burns but I can tell you, it HURT and I ended up in real pain for at least 2 weeks because of it. Everyone (afterwords) said "oh, that never should have happened," which is what I tried to tell them at the time.

    My advice - check the orders the imaging center receives from your MD. Have them do your non-radiated breast first and then walk out of there. If your orders are for a bi-lateral mammogram, someone is simply being sloppy.

    Florida - I have mammograms alternating with breast MRIs, so some imaging every 6 months. I also have a genetic mutation that ups the likelihood of a new cancer, so that feeds into the screening protocol.

    It seems to vary a LOT - and I wonder if the center was overlooking that you were just dx. and treated this year? Maybe you should discuss this with your MO or BS?

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  • florida2015
    florida2015 Member Posts: 186
    edited December 2015

    yes it think I will call my breast surgeon

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