Bad mammogram

Options
98hgmom
98hgmom Member Posts: 37
edited February 2018 in Not Diagnosed But Worried

hello

I unfortunately received a call back from my routine mammogram. Went in for a diagnostic mammogram and ultimately had an ultrasound too. The technician performing the ultrasound was vague but she brought in the radiologist. He did his own ultrasound and showed me a concerning mass. He started talking about how cancer is usually only a 6 month blip in peoples life! Can he determine cancer from an ultrasound? He was talking like it! I cannot even remember everything he said. I kind of zoned out. I’m scheduled for a biopsy next week. Argh!!!!

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited February 2018

    Dear 98hgmom,

    We are sorry that all of this has brought you here but we are glad that you reached out to our community. While others may offer their experiences we think most would say that it is best to wait for the results of a biopsy for definitive results. It sounds like the radiologist was trying to be reassuring but such might have elevated the anxiety you already had. Keep us posted on what you learn going forward and don't assume you have cancer. The Mods

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • djmammo
    djmammo Member Posts: 2,939
    edited February 2018

    98hgmom

    "Can he determine cancer from an ultrasound?"

    The short answer is yes. If the mass demonstrates certain features, that diagnosis can be made fairly easily on US. It shows more detail than a mammogram.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • wrenn
    wrenn Member Posts: 2,707
    edited February 2018

    Should be fired for characterizing cancer as a "6 month blip" and for giving the impression you had it. Insensitivity like that should keep him away from the public.

    I hope he was wrong about you too. Hoping for a good outcome.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • djmammo
    djmammo Member Posts: 2,939
    edited February 2018


    I have personally heard breast surgeons refer to small, low grade tumors as amounting to only a "speed bump" in the patients life, intimating that treatment would not be prolonged and that the prognosis was excellent.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • wrenn
    wrenn Member Posts: 2,707
    edited February 2018

    As has been pretty evident on this forum alone ANY cancer diagnosis is rarely seen as a "speed bump" or "blip" by those with the diagnosis.

    If only.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Georgia1
    Georgia1 Member Posts: 1,321
    edited February 2018

    DJMammo, you've been such a godsend to many of this on this site. Thank you for your ongoing advice and support.

    Thank you also for your honesty about the way medical professionals, especially surgeons, sometimes talk to their patients about breast cancer. To them, I'm sure, a lumpectomy + 3 to 6 weeks of radiation + taking a pill every day for 5 years is a short-term problem. I was lucky enough to have a small, low-grade tumor myself and I realize how fortunate I am compared to others. But the anxiety, the emotional issues, the side effects, the effect on our sex lives and relationships, etc. etc. are really tough even with "mild" breast cancer. I wish more doctors understood that.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 98hgmom
    98hgmom Member Posts: 37
    edited February 2018

    Than you everyone for your replies. I am hoping for good news next week!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 98hgmom
    98hgmom Member Posts: 37
    edited February 2018

    I had my biopsy on Tuesday and they told me I would probably get the results yesterday. They said the hospital would call if it were good news. I had a bad feeling when I did not get a call yesterday. I just received the call this morning and I have infiltrating ductal carcinoma. I'm kind of at a loss.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Outfield
    Outfield Member Posts: 1,109
    edited February 2018

    Officially there's not a cancer diagnosis until the "tissue diagnosis" of doing the biopsy, but sometimes radiologists can be pretty damn sure from what they see.

    Insensitive ass, anybody who says things like that is limited in their ability to empathize and/or understand that the world doesn't look just the same through others' eyes.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories