"Area of concern"

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KandyKat
KandyKat Member Posts: 2
edited December 2018 in Not Diagnosed But Worried

I had a mammogram that was inconclusive due to dense breasts.  I was told to redo the mammo and have an ultrasound.  I opted out of a repeat mammo due to my concern about radiation.  I had very recently had 2 other x-rays.  The ultrasound showed an area of concern and I was advised to get another mammogram in 6 months.  My thinking is that either test is not enough now so wont be enough in 6 months and I don't want to wait and see.  My heart goes out to all those waiting.  Should I push for a MRI?  I have no known family history but 2 brushes with cancer many years ago (uterine lining precancerous and melanoma level 2).  Thank you and God bless you all.

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  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited December 2018

    They want the additional views to correlate what they are seeing on the ultrasound. This is the correct procedure. MRIs are very nonspecific, so you would likely still be in the same situation. The targeted views on the mammogram may confirm what it sounds like they believe to be a likely benign thing. Mammograms are pretty low on the scale of radiation.MRIIs have their own issues concerning the contrast medium.

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited December 2018

    The redo on the mammo may have wanted additional images to correlate. The screening mammo and diagnostic mammo differ typically on the number of images. Does anything on the mammo show in that area of concern? Dense breasts are a reason to have an MRI, but as MelissaDallas said, they have their own drawbacks due to contrast medium and a lot of false positives. Perhaps you can get s copy of the report and ask the radiologist the pros and cons of waiting versus an MRI.

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  • MomOf2G1B
    MomOf2G1B Member Posts: 8
    edited December 2018

    yes you should. Don’t sit back and just leave it at that. I just had a new mass discovered where a mammogram had cleared me as safe. Had I not pushed this mass would’ve been never discovered. My situation also derived from a diagnosis of Dense. You can read my story if you want, “BREAST CANCER, HEART FAILURE OR BOTH.... OR WHAT? “


    But please whatever you do, keep pushing until you get definitive answers.


    🌸

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  • jessie123
    jessie123 Member Posts: 532
    edited December 2018

    I am new to this and still going through testing so my answer may be really stupid --- why not have the needle core biopsy done. It doesn't hurt at all and only takes about 15 minutes. I've had the Mammogram, ultrasound, bone scan and biopsy --- still waiting on the MRI> I'm not looking forward to the MRI at all.

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  • MDRR
    MDRR Member Posts: 133
    edited December 2018

    Based on my experience I would also advise you to move forward. I had a routine mammo -- like you dense breast tissue, no family history, etc. Got called back for repeat, then 2 biopsies, then MRI. My DCIS diagnosis led to a lumpectomy, but that pathology showed it had advanced to invasive. 2 lymph nodes had micro cells - no chemo but after my mastectomy, now on medication (AI). The oncologist told me the lymph nodes showed her a road map of where this was headed, and had I waited 6 months, it could have been a very different story. Not trying to scare you at all - this was not scary, as I needed the information to make decisions about my health. However, it is to represent that this stuff has a mind and timeline of its own, and just a short period of time can make a world of difference!

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  • KandyKat
    KandyKat Member Posts: 2
    edited December 2018

    I called the radiology group today to make an appt for a 2nd mammogram but they said it is not necessary since they have enough info now with the ultrasound. Why then, did they ask for both in the letter?  She said that the radiologist advised her that there are fatty deposits that they believe are benign but they want another mammo in 6 months. I haven't read anything yet about fatty deposits. Their belief is not very assuring.  I wish they would say that they are sure.   I know this is what happens to many of us..."wait" which equates to worry for 6 months.  I will call my referring GP tomorrow and see if she can do anything.  Thank you for the advice and please keep it coming.  My situation is so insignificant compared to many here so I really appreciate.      

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