Nipple changed directions and Indent in breast. SCARED
Hi! I posted here once before about my nipple changing direction.
I'll give some background.
I'm 34. Around a month and a half ago I noticed my nipple had changed shape drastically. A part of it is pulled in and it has given it the appearance of changing directions. I went to my GP who ordered a diagnostic mammogram. The diagnostic Mammogram showed an "irregular density" and a spot mammogram was ordered. The spot mammogram showed focal asymmetry and an summation artifact. (I think the words were something like that.) They put me in Bi-Rads category 3.
Now I have a "dimple" or more like a caved in area that is parallel to the nipple and to the area where it is also pulled in. I called my doctor and explained this and now I go in for an ultrasound tomorrow for another look. The indent is fairly decent in size. It is long and my finger fits in it. It is like someone laid their finger on my breast and pushed in and then after taking it off it stayed.
I'm trying to remain calm but my mind has been in dark places ever since the drastic change of my nipple. The diagnostic mammogram nor the spot mammogram could give me a definitive that it was benign and now I have even more symptoms that align with breast cancer.
I'm just looking for some encouragement. I know all you ladies were once in the waiting phase and I am just trying to focus on my job, my son and to not cry everytime I think about it.
Cancer runs in my family. All my grandparents died from it. Several of my aunts and uncles have either died from it or have fought it and my aunt had a double mastectomy when she was a few years younger than me. The symptoms are alarming and it seems surprising how fast it is progressing. I took photos when I first noticed the nipple and I went back and in truth the dimple was already there but was much less prominent. It's only been a month and a half and how much more prominent it has become has scared me.
My sonogram is tomorrow. I have some questions. All the tests have been through the hospital my GP is located at and one of their many radiologists read it. I have not been referred to anyone who specializes in breast cancer. I looked into the radiologist and cancer is his specialty. Not breast specifically but cancer in general. Should I ask to be sent to a breast cancer center? I live in rural Kansas and honestly don't even know if we have one. Should I go to my OBGYN and have him also made aware of the changes and give an assessment?
I hope to hear from some of you for some encouragement. I know many of you went through this and it was followed by the news you had cancer. I know that my chances are good that is not the case but I'm scared all the same. None of the tests thus far have been able to calm my fears and rather just leaves me further in the dark. Thank you for taking the time to read my post.
Comments
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Sorry you are dealing with this. Have the local radiologist read it, so you get things going quickly. Then, if necessary, have the images sent for a second opinion to someone who specializes in breast cancer.
Also consider genetic testing.
Best wishes. Keep us posted
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Thank you for replying KBeee.
I will do just that. I think I am going to have everything sent to my OBGYN just because he is my lady doctor and I think this is information he should have. I"m due for this years pap anyways. It takes weeks and an hour drive to get into him so I scheduled with my local GP when I found the changes in my breast. I have just kept with the same doctor as I go through the multiple tests.
I appreciate you taking the time to respond to me. I see you've been diagnosed twice. You are very strong to have gone through so much. All the best to you. -
Call your OB. When I noticed breast changes, they worked me in the same day. I think I might get referred to a surgeon, though. I called on Friday to see what the next possible steps might be for me. Sorry that you are going through this.
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I will be calling my OB tomorrow. I want his opinion no matter what the ultrasound shows.
Thanks for replying Boymom77!
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what did they say???
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I haven't heard back yet. I'm impatient and am picking up a copy of my results after work. It usually takes a day or two for the doctors to get back with me. I'm going to schedule an appointment for tomorrow with my GP and I made an appointment with my OB today but couldn't get in until September 13th. No matter what I learn I want to get his opinion.
Hoping all is okay. I'm nervous and am having trouble focusing at work. -
Boymom77,
I picked up my sonogram report. It shows no findings on the area where the indent is. It shows Fibro glandular changes and cysts in the area of abnormality on the mammograms. I’m still in a birad category 3.
I made an appointment with my OB as o feel the nipple changes and indent has been mostly overlooked. I had to push for the sonogram to be done over the indent and he paid very little attention to it. I want answers to why my nipple looks like a c now and why I have such a prominent indent.
But I’m happy with the results. I’m being my best advocate because if I don’t, who will? Breasts don’t cave in for no reason. Could be lazy ligaments but they need to tell me something.
Thanks for checking in
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My doc is sending me for an MRI this week.
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Please, keep me updated.
I want to push for an MRI but I do not want to come across as crazy. I've gotten the all clear(sort of. bi-rads 3 is practically all clear) but I know Lobular cancer grows in a line and doesn't always show and this long indent has me concerned. I believe all is fine but I need to be sure. I don't want to learn in three years time that it was and has been growing all this time and I didn't advocate for myself hard enough. -
my appointment was yesterday. A breast MRI was refused. He feels very confident that the indentation is just how my anatomy has formed due to my weight.
I am obese and my weight has fluctuated by fifty pounds in the last year (up and down). It is still going to be followed. I'll have more imaging in six months and then six months from that. It is hard not wanting definite answers but I decided I was going to trust my doctor. It was my OB. He has always erred on the side of caution with me. He is not a risk taker so I believe if he felt there was a shred of chance of anything dangerous he would do more tests.
It still is difficult not knowing exactly why my skin is pulled in or why I have pain. But for the next six months at least, I'm letting it go. He said if it gets worse or changes we will revisit the issue before then. I specifically asked about ILC and he felt if i hasn't it bad enough to I pull in skin then he would feel the hardening of tissue even though It doesnt form a lump there would be thickening.
I don't know but I'm letting it go at least for six months and then I'll push for ans
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