Questions Regarding Follow Ups

Options
fbeach22
fbeach22 Member Posts: 3
edited December 2015 in Benign Breast Conditions

I was told my lifetime risk between 31-90 years old is 30% without family history. So are immediate mammos/mri's necessary? Does BC spread quickly? Show up quickly? Is it necessary to put my body through that every six months if I have a 30% over the next 60 years?? Does the follow up cease at some point, if my body stabilizes? I guess I don't know what to expect or what I may be in for.

Palpable Lump November 2014,Unltrasound-Complex Cysts November 2014, FN Biopsy November 2014, Core Biopsy November 2014, Extensional Biopsy Jan 2015, Atypical Hyperplasia (left) Feb 2015. Microcalcifications (right) Feb 2015. Oncology-NO Hormone Treatment bc of age Feb 2015. 30 Years Old at Atypia DX, 16 years old at first birth, and 10 at first menstration.

My mother passed in Feb so I didnt do my six month follow up. I am back at it now and the suggestion for follow up care is the following:

-Mammo Dec 22nd, MRI June 2016. Mammo Jan 2017, MRI June 2017. Alternating Mammos and MRIs every six months.

My question is at what point will the six month follow up stop. Is it if they stop seeing changes? Do the abnormalities they see dissolve? Any input would be appreciated. If my body doesnt give me cancer I feel like the radiology will. Help!?!

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited December 2015

    Hi Fbeach-

    Whether or not to continue with the monitoring is a very personal decision; for some people, 30% lifetime risk is big enough to undergo the relative inconvenience of bi-annual monitoring. For others, the risk isn't worth it. Everyone will come to their decision differently, for very different reasons. There is, as with many aspects of this disease, no right or wrong answer, only the answer that best fits your life.

    Typically, if after a certain amount of time there have been no changes detected in your breasts, your doctor may suggest cutting back the monitoring to once a year, or you can request it. That is definitely something we would suggest discussing with your doctor. As to your concerns about the radiation, mammography and magnetic resonance imaging use a very, very low dose of radiation that is not considered harmful; the amount is equal to roughly 7 weeks of what the average person would be exposed to in their daily life, and is less than a standard chest xray. The chance of being harmed by the monitoring is very, very low, and is far outweighed by the benefits.

    We know it's a lot to consider, especially at your age. We hope reading here, and learning some of the stories of our members, has been helpful in some way, and that you find what you need.

    The Mods

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • fbeach22
    fbeach22 Member Posts: 3
    edited December 2015

    Thank you for the reply. I guess my bigger concern was when will it cease and you seem to answer that. It seems that there is a possibility that the breast can remain the same with no visible changes after a while and then a different course of action will be or can be discussed at that time. That seems reasonable and it also seems reasonable if the exams are not as harmful as one may think. Thank you!! Lots to consider.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories