I am back!!

Faith1984
Faith1984 Member Posts: 15
edited December 2015 in High Risk for Breast Cancer

You lovely ladies were great last time I was here. After a whirl wind of a year, I am back to following up on my diagnosis of "atypitcal hyperplasia (left)" and mircocalcifications (right). I have a few questions but here is the gist of what my story was: November 2014 palpable lump (left), November Ultrasound (left) complex cyst. December FN Biopsy, and Core Biopsy, Jan 2015 Extensional Biopsy, Jan 2015 Atypical Hyperplasia, Jan 2015 Mirco Calcification (right). Oncology Feb 2015, no hormone treatment due to age, I was 30 at the time and advised hormones are better suited for women over 35.

I have a new BS bc I have moved and saw her this week. She put in my information and calculated a risk of 30% without my family history included because my history is a little gray. She has stated that she believes that the best course of action would be mammo now and mri in six months and then continue that in an alternating fashion.

Here are my questions: Is there anything I should be asking right now? How scary are breast MRIs? How is genetic testing done? This was mentioned to me because of my age and my risk factors.

I have to say I am nervous walking back into this, just afraid that they will find something again that will lead to more testing and surgery again. Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.


Thank you-


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  • Molly50
    Molly50 Member Posts: 3,773
    edited December 2015

    Hi Faith,  breast MRI was pretty easy for me and I was still healing from my lumpectomy.  You lay face down with your breasts in cutouts.  They will do it with and without contrast.  The contrast feels a little strange but not painful.  Te genetic testing is a blood test sent out to a a special lab.  It should be coupled with genetic counseling.  Mine came back positive for a mutation called Chek2.  My lab was Myriad.  If you look at their website they explain the process well. 

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  • 614
    614 Member Posts: 851
    edited December 2015

    Dear Faith:

    The MRI is easy.  As Molly posted, you lie face down on a table with your breasts hanging down.  You have an IV because contrast is injected into your arm.  The whole process takes approximately 1 hour.  The MRI machine is loud.  You must lie very still during the MRI.  Some people have anxiety when having an MRI but for me, the MRI is easy.  If you have anxiety then you can ask your doctor to prescribe anti-anxiety medication for the MRI.  MRI's are very sensitive tests which should give you peace of mind. 

    The genetic test is a blood test.  It takes time for the genetic tests to be run/completed so you will have to be patient.  You should receive a lot of information and genetic counseling.  My results came back with a V.U.S. - variable of unknown significance which means that I have a genetic mutation but there is no research yet so they do not know what the mutation is for.

    I was just diagnosed with ALH in November 2015.  I was also diagnosed with ALH and 2 other atypias (flat epithelial atypia and PASH) at the time that I was diagnosed with bc.  My RO and my MO both told me that the Arimidex/Anastrazole would stop my ALH from becoming malignant so I do not need to do anything about the ALH.

    Your doctor will be watching you closely to make sure that you are ok. 

    Since you have a new doctor, I would ask your new doctor about hormone therapy.  If she concurs with your old doctor then you should be fine with the close surveillance.

    Good luck and try not to worry.  ALH is anxiety provoking and scary but it is a benign condition.

    Happy holidays.

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