1st mammo scheduled, MD said R breast more dense

Options
KrystalR
KrystalR Member Posts: 3
edited May 2018 in Not Diagnosed But Worried

Hello, I'm new here! 41, maternal great grandmother died of BC in early 80s, mom had some calcifications in the 90s and nothing since.

I'm here because at my yearly last week my gyne said my right breast feels denser than my left. Now, she had brought up getting a mammo this year before she ever touched me. After the exam she said she thinks I should get a baseline. I'm a bit of a worrier, and the fact that she pointed out that my right is denser/firmer than the left has me convinced something awful will be found! I asked, and she said no just to be aware of it and if she was truly concerned she'd order a diagnostic rather than a screening. My right has always been smaller than my left, but I hadn't noticed the firmness until she pointed it out...now of course it's all I notice! My breasts always feel lumpy to me, and a few years ago she had said that I have "fibrous" breasts but didn't mention one being different than the other. I've been back on the pill to control my periods since last fall or so.

I'm a nervous wreck! Especially since I read about lobular cancer. I've read through a lot of posts here, and it seems like a great group of women, so I thought I'd hop in! My mammo is 1st thing in the morning this Friday.

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • mustlovepoodles
    mustlovepoodles Member Posts: 2,825
    edited May 2018

    Whoa there, Krystal! Back up the chariot! I don't think your doctor meant anything bad when she commented on your breast density. She was just making a comment in passing. Our breasts can be wonky things. Most women's breasts are uneven, some more noticeable than others. Likewise, one breast can be denser than the other. All totally normal. I know you're worried, but really, try not to go there. Hold on to what you know to be true--your doctor has ordered a screening mammo just to check things out because one breast feels different to her than the other. Your family history is pretty tame.

    Gut feelings are rarely predictive. Lots of women tell us that they "feel convinced' that "something awful" will be found. and the VAAAAST majority of the time it turns out benign. Remember this: It's not cancer until pathology proves it's cancer. And no doctor has even suggested this might be cancer.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KrystalR
    KrystalR Member Posts: 3
    edited May 2018

    Thanks for the response :) I worry about tests even though I try not to. One minute I'll be okay with it, the next I'll be convinced the worst will be found. I try to focus on the fact that she mentioned getting the mammo before she did any exams, and she didn't order a diagnostic and she IS a very thorough doctor who is always up on the latest advances. I'm happy to hear it can be normal to have differences in feel between the two breasts!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KrystalR
    KrystalR Member Posts: 3
    edited May 2018

    Just wanted to reply that I got my results (My gyn called me less than 3 hours after my mammo!) And gave me the all clear :) She said I have dense breasts, which is normal for my age. Symmetrical no thickening in the R. She's happy with the results and I'm good until next year. She wants me to stay with 3D (not everyone here has 3D yet).

    Also, in case anyone stumbles across this later, it was not at all painful! I'm about a 34B and I didn't find it bad at all. I had marks on my chest after, so they must have compressed pretty good, but I would do that every morning rather than the dentist every 6 months! Once I even asked if she was sure she got a good image because I didn't feel anything :) Definitely the easiest of my yearly things! The waiting though......!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mustlovepoodles
    mustlovepoodles Member Posts: 2,825
    edited May 2018

    *thumbs up* Way to go!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories