Waiting for more test results

I just turned 50 and I've had my second mamogram. They told me that they saw something on my right breast. They want to see my first mamogram to compare the two. I'm not sure why since there was no comparison when I had my first. It is taking a long to get my first results. They are going to do a sonagram Tuesday. Is that normal? I know I shouldn't worry but it is very hard. I have always had an inverted nipple on my rightside, but it used to come back out. Now it won't come out it just stays inverted. Everytime I go to the restroom, I have to look at them.I do not feel any bumps, but under my right arm pit is sore. I know I shouldn't worry but I can't stop. Any advice?

Totally understandable to be nervous while you wait, Sbates. You're in the right place for great support from so many others in the same boat. Try taking your mind off the wait by doing something you enjoy doing, meeting up with some friends, exercising to get the nerves out, or reading a good book. Anything to take your mind off the worry and get it focused on something else!

We're all here for you and sending our positive thoughts. Please keep us posted on what you find out!

--The Mods

Hi Sbates!

Sorry you're having so much worry. Let me see if I can help a bit:

1. The reason there wasn't any comparison on the first--is that it was the first. Nothing that they could compare it to! Now, though, there's an older imaging study, and they want to look at the two of them together to see any changes over time. They will always want all of the mammogram images they can get there hands on.

2. A sonogram can be very normal. For example, if you have "dense breasts," some imaging centers always want to do a follow up ultrasound, as ultrasounds can see things that mammograms can't (and vice-versa). "Density" refers to how clear an image they can get on mammogram. If there's a lot of white on the image, it's hard to see the sorts of changes they worry about. So a sonogram can help them get another view. (I had a radiologist who was one of the early researchers in combining ultrasounds with mammograms for routine screening. Had both for 12 years before linear microcalcifications showed (for the first time), leading to my DCIS diagnosis.)

3. They've told you they've seen "something." But they clearly want to know a bit more about it. How does it look on sonogram? Was it there when you had your first mammogram? If so, has it changed since then?

Right now, you're still in standard "well-woman" screening procedures. Just go with the flow. Make some calls and see if you can't get the earlier mammogram images to your docs asap.

The following chart from the Imaginis site (which has additional info about the screening process) may be helpful:

On the above diagram, note that your goal is to fail to be advanced farther "up" the diagram. Each one is a narrower group of people. Your doc found "something" that they want to take a closer look at during your routine screeening mammogram, so they've asked you to come back for additional imaging (a diagnostic workup). So you are in the 10% of people who have screening mammograms who are asked back.

Of all of those who are sent on to a diagnostic workup (where you are), only 25% are sent on to a biopsy--that is, 75% people "fall out" of the screen at that point. You may be told that you need to return to your routine screening schedule...or that they would like to see you again "sooner" so that can see if "whatever-it-is" is stable.

Of the 25% who are sent on to biopsy (not your category yet!) 80% will be told their biopsy doesn't show cancer.

You're early in the screening process. There are at least two distinct layers of screening you'd have to get through before you could even have the possibility of a cancer diagnosis.

I know it's easy to worry, but really. Try not to borrow trouble that isn't yours yet.

Hope you fail to advance in the diagnostic process very, very soon!

LisaAlissa