First Mammogram and Scared

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OverwhelmedwithWorry
OverwhelmedwithWorry Member Posts: 7

I've been lurking for a few weeks now and finally mustered up the courage to chime in. I'm a 41 year old who recently had my first mammogram. Received the dreaded call back and been on the ledge since. Currently on anxiety medication to try and relax.

Returned for additional images via Diagnostic Mammo and Ultrasound. Same spot was confirmed. Radiologist noted how anxious I was and spoke to me a little. Although nothing is 100% without a biopsy, he seemed confident that it appears benign relatively similar to a Fibroadenoma. Rather than watching he decided it would be best for me to just have the biopsy over and done with to which he noted on his report. I went for my biopsy this morning and couldn't contain myself. The spot remained the same. 5 samples were taken and a marker was placed. The nodule appears smooth.

Now the waiting begins. I have barely ate or slept in 3 weeks. Super emotional as well. I'm hoping others with similar stories can offer their experience.

Bi-Rad 4 given however which scared me further. As I read other reports mine seems like there are no details included like others. Attempted to attach report but it said I couldn’t. Has anyone ever had a benign lump form deep in the breast and only found after an u


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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited February 2019

    Hi Overwhelmed, and welcome to Breastcancer.org,

    We're so very sorry that you're here and worrying, but we're glad you've found us. You're sure to find a great network of support here. We're sure others will be by shortly to weigh in with their experiences and advice.

    Please keep us posted on your biopsy results. We're sending our best thoughts!

    --The Mods

  • GreenHarbor
    GreenHarbor Member Posts: 265
    edited February 2019

    Overwhelmed, welcome! One important fact to remember is that anytime a radiologist sees something unusual on a mammogram, they always want to compare it to previous films. Was is there before? Has it grown or changed appearance? Since this is your first mammo, there’s nothing to compare it to. Waiting for test results is SO hard, I know! Once you have the biopsy results, you will know what your next steps are, if any. A second important fact is that roughly 80% of breast biopsies come back as benign. I’m not minimizing your fear and anxiety in any way, just trying to reassure you. I’ll be thinking of you- check back and let us know how things turn out. ❤️

  • keepthefaith
    keepthefaith Member Posts: 2,156
    edited February 2019

    Sorry you found yourself here. Good for you for going in and doing what you need to do, to get answers. It's "normal" to feel anxious right now. Try to stay busy while you wait for results. Walk, watch a funny movie, hang out with people that make you happy. Worrying won't change anything:). Remember, 80% of all biopsies come back benign. "Smooth" is good! I did have a benign lump several yrs ago and had it removed. They are very common. The Radiologist sounds like a very compassionate person and you are in good hands. Best wishes for benign findings. You can do this!!!

  • Natasha007
    Natasha007 Member Posts: 44
    edited February 2019

    I just went through something very similar. I was called back for mammogram and they said I would need a biopsy on two irregular masses. I asked if it could be a cyst and she said no as it has "no fluid". The Dr seemed pretty convinced it would be cancer. She told me that she "saw a surgery in my future". She labeled it BIRAD 4C - "high suspicion for malignancy". I was worried sick. Literally sick, throwing up and not sleeping. I could not think of anything but this. When I bought milk, I would look at the date and think that I will be fighting cancer by then. It was all consuming. They were trying to get me an appointment with the breast surgeon before the biopsy results were back. I was certain it would be cancer.

    Biopsy came back benign for both spots. One was fiber something and other was a cyst.

    The nurse navigator later told me that my doctor was young (probably early 40s) and she was aggressive in terms of ordering biopsies and labeling them 4C. She said she felt it was better to label it 4C and have it be benign than label it 4A and have it be cancer. Nurse navigator said she gives out "lots" of benign results to people who are worried sick like I was and people with 4C. She said to remember that 80% of biopsies come back benign. While waiting for the results I had asked her if she felt that 80% benign applies to 4C and she said yes.

    I was where you are and I understand the panic you are experiencing. Please allow yourself to have some hope. Have some hope. You hold on to that 80% number and don't allow the devil to steal every bit of your hope. Pray. God hears you. Give this to God. I'm praying for you, girl. Even if you have to pray every 30 seconds then do it. Just pray for the Holy Spirit to pray for you. You don't have to pray anything else. Praying for you to be calm and have peace. 80% includes you!

  • blah333
    blah333 Member Posts: 270
    edited February 2019

    I don't think 80% of BIRADS 4C comes back benign, that rating usually means there is an 80% chance of cancer. But on the whole - 80% of biopsies are benign, they usually don't even do biopsies for BIRADS 3 or lower. So to the original poster, do not be SO concerned with your biopsy rating, as they usually leave BIRADS 3 (suspicous but probably benign) as something to just monitor. It's good you got the biopsy vs. wait or monitor it, it would stay in the back of your mind this whole time. I've definitely had my life clouded by all of this. The 18 days between my mammogram and diagnosis were the worst days of my life. I just went through another scare that lasted from Jan 1 to Feb 22. Hell! I hope you get answers soon.

    Is there any way you can copy and paste the text from your report? You can usually highlight text on PDF documents.

  • OverwhelmedwithWorry
    OverwhelmedwithWorry Member Posts: 7
    edited February 2019

    GreenHarbor

    This was my very first mammogram so I'm not sure what could have been there. I'm trying my best to stay positive.

    Natasha

    Glad it all went well for you. Continued blessings. I have prayed more than ever and I definitely appreciate your prayers as well. The first radiologist spoke to me, attempted to answer my concerns. He sounded sincere. The doctor performing the biopsy came off so cold. Barely wanted to hear me. This scared me further. I don’t know if he’s always that way but I would like to think if it really looked suspicious he would at least give me some insight


    Blah333

    For some reason I cannot attach the report. However it’s a birads4 score. The appearance hasn’t changed since last month. It states scattered Fibro glandular tissue in a fatty background. 11-12 o’clock ,4-5 centimeters from nipple measuring in between 0.6 to 0.9 in greatest diameter. Mammogram states well define mass, the diagnostic says fairly circumscribed and the ultra sound says circumscribed. Of the 3 reports one says it’s deep in the breast and named it a hypoechoic nodule. They all seem to be worded a bit different. No other description noted.

  • Natasha007
    Natasha007 Member Posts: 44
    edited February 2019

    I’m praying. When will you get results?

  • Natasha007
    Natasha007 Member Posts: 44
    edited February 2019

    Let us know when you have your results. Praying

  • OverwhelmedwithWorry
    OverwhelmedwithWorry Member Posts: 7
    edited February 2019

    Biopsy results back. BENIGN!!!!

    God is the greatest.

    Worst month of my life but no better news than what I received today. Not sure how long I might have had this lesion and will follow up in 6 months. Hopefully it will decrease in size or better yet go away. Thanks for all the prayers.

    Blessings to all ❤️❤️

  • Natasha007
    Natasha007 Member Posts: 44
    edited February 2019

    I'm so happy for you. Praise the Lord! You and I can now share hope with those waiting. So very thrilled for you!

  • OverwhelmedwithWorry
    OverwhelmedwithWorry Member Posts: 7
    edited March 2019

    received my report. Is anyone familiar with the term “Fibroadenoma with Myxoid Features

  • keepthefaith
    keepthefaith Member Posts: 2,156
    edited March 2019

    Happy Dance!!!

  • GreenHarbor
    GreenHarbor Member Posts: 265
    edited March 2019

    Fantastic news, Overwhelmed!! I’m so happy for you.

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