Focal asymmetry—very scared

Options
CC1968
CC1968 Member Posts: 3
edited August 2019 in Not Diagnosed But Worried

I had a screening mammogram done this week after a long break (over 5 years); 51 years old now. The mammogram was done by 3D tomosynthesis, and found an area of focal asymmetry in the posterior of my left breast. This was not seen in the older mammograms from years ago. No calcifications or architectural distortion were noted according to the report. My mother had triple negative breast cancer 20 years ago at the age of 54(and is still alive without any recurrence to date).

My diagnostic is tomorrow. I am terrified. I guess I will have a more clear picture tomorrow, and I am trying to avoid Google (the irony is that I am a biology professor who teaches cell biology and cancer biology, so my brain is already on overdrive). Any insights you all can provide would be wonderful. Thank you.

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • djmammo
    djmammo Member Posts: 2,939
    edited August 2019

    CC1968

    This is the phrase we use when we dont see a mass per se, but the distribution of dense tissue looks a bit different from priors. Many of these turn out to be related to degree of compression and disappear on follow up. Did you have a tomo last time? Let us know how it goes. In the meantime, stop Googling, it never helps at this point in the work up.

    Here are some statistics from https://www.mammographysaveslives.org/facts.aspx

    image

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited August 2019

    Thanks, djmammo! You may also want to discuss the option of genetic testing, given that your mom had breast cancer. Keep us posted.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • CC1968
    CC1968 Member Posts: 3
    edited August 2019

    I appreciate the advice! My last exam was a 2D exam (digital) without tomosynthesis...am trying to not go to all worse case scenarios. I will update with diagnostic results tomorrow. Thank you so much for responding!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • CC1968
    CC1968 Member Posts: 3
    edited August 2019

    All clear—BiRads1–overlapping tissue and extra diligence due to family history. Did end up having both a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound—but the radiologist told me at the ultrasound that she was just being extra careful because my mom's very large triple negative tumor was completely missed by mammography—ultrasound would maybe have seen it.

    The one interesting recommendation that I wanted to share in case it helps anyone else—the radiologist strongly suggested both a screening mammogram and a screening whole breast ultrasound next year since my density rating was a C (heterogenously dense). She said it would give her, as the radiologist, “peace of mind". I never knew this was even an option, and I am definitely doing that.

    Thank you, djmammo—I am so grateful you reached out to me. What a wonderful resource you are to this community

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories