Is this normal?

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Littlered74
Littlered74 Member Posts: 3
edited May 2017 in Waiting for Test Results

hi everyone just signed up now. 😬 Ok so last week I went for a mammogram lady Wednesday she told me they might ask for another one cause it's my first one. So sure enough they did the next day so firday I went for the second one. She asked me to stay until the radiologist looked at it. She came back and told me I needed a ultrasound 😳 It would be a wait about two months in my town told her I was going to a city 5 hours away for the weekend she called they and they just had a cancellation so I got it for Monday for my ultrasound at my alter sound they saw the alarm and gave me a biopsy right then and there. They told me not to worry it's probably nothing. I didn't even know I had a lump. I had breast pain. Results tomorrow. Was supposed to be today but doctor didnt come in 😡 My mind won't stop. I guess tomorrow it will. They say not to worry. Would they be able to tell it was not cancer on the mammogram? Or altersound? I'm I being silly to worry?

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  • LisaAlissa
    LisaAlissa Member Posts: 1,092
    edited May 2017

    Hi littlered!

    They really moved you right along, didn't they? I know it's hard not to worry, but of all of the people who have biopsies, 80% get a B9 result (that is, the results rule out breast cancer). And in fact, since it was your first mammogram, you're likely fairly young, so your odds are likely even better (most breast cancer is found in older women). Additionally, since it's your first mammogram, they don't have prior mammograms to compare this one to. That can often allow the radiologist reading the study to determine that something they see is normal-for-you and hasn't changed over time.

    A biopsy is the only way to determine for sure whether something is (or isn't) cancer. The imaging modalities (mammogram, ultrasound, etc.) can sometimes rule out cancer. But sometimes there's still a doubt. That's when a biopsy is called for. Remember that of all the women sent for a biopsy, only 20% will get a diagnosis of breast cancer. There's no reason to think you'll be in the 20%. ;-)

    Come back and tell us what your results are. We'll help if you need it, but I hope to hear that you've had B9 results!

    LisaAlissa

  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited May 2017

    Of course you worry, but it sounds like they believe it has a low level of suspicion. Remember, anything estimated to have a greater than 3% chance of cancer is recommended to be biopsied, so most biopsies are benign. Also, the fact that they have no old films to compare for stability over time ups your chance of getting a biopsy.

  • Littlered74
    Littlered74 Member Posts: 3
    edited May 2017

    Thank you LisaAlissa

    I will be here tomorrow with my results. Yes your right I am probably fine.

  • Littlered74
    Littlered74 Member Posts: 3
    edited May 2017

    all clear ☺️ Just a lump

  • MTwoman
    MTwoman Member Posts: 2,704
    edited May 2017

    Yay! that's great news!

  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited May 2017

    Littered, that's good news. Thanks for sharing it.

    Melissa, I'd never seen that rule of thumb re: 3% before. Just out of (obsessive) curiosity, could you share your source? Thx.

  • LisaAlissa
    LisaAlissa Member Posts: 1,092
    edited May 2017

    Wonderful news, Littered!

    I'm not Melissa, but if you take a look at this description of the BIRADs 4 "here," you'll find one source for the "at least 3%" stat.

    HTH,

    LisaAlissa

  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited May 2017

    Hopeful, Birads 3 (likely benign) should only be assigned if it is estimated to be 2% or less likelihood of being malignant. Therefore anything Birads 4 or up (biopsy recommended) is over 2% chance. We need better imaging modalities. Think guys would put up with having needles stuck in their nuts all the time for a 3% chance of cancer? Mammograms and ultrasounds leave a great deal to be desired

  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited May 2017
    • .

    BI-RADS 3

    Probably Benign Finding
    Initial Short-Interval Follow-Up Suggested:

    A finding placed in this category should have less than a 2% risk of malignancy.

    It is not expected to change over the follow-up interval, but the radiologist would prefer to establish its stability.
    Lesions appropriately placed in this category include:

    • Nonpalpable, circumscribed mass on a baseline mammogram (unless it can be shown to be a cyst, an intramammary lymph node, or another benign finding),
    • Focal asymmetry which becomes less dense on spot compression view
    • Solitary group of punctate calcifications
  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited May 2017

    Thanks, LisaAlissa & Melissa - I guess that had completely escaped my notice!

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