Should I wait 6 months or get another opinion

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ljturner66
ljturner66 Member Posts: 4
edited December 2019 in Not Diagnosed But Worried
  1. Persistent area of nodularity identified far posterior, near the chest wall, which localizes to the central portion of the breast.
  2. Several distended ducts in the retoareolar location.
  3. Questionable lymph node 1.2 cm with a normal echogenic center.

The above findings came after a recall mammogram and ultrasound. The radiologist recommended another mammogram and possible ultrasound in six months, and I am having a really hard time just waiting it out. Would it be worth it to contact my insurance company and ask if I can get another mammogram at another location?

I have been getting screening mammograms for over ten years. Had a recall ultrasound once many years ago with no findings. I am post menopausal.

Any thoughts, advice, suggestions are really appreciated!!

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  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited December 2019

    Has #1 been stable on previous imaging?

    #2 & #3 sound "normal." Dilated ducts are common as we age and lymph nodes can be enlarged for lots of things, but it sounds like that fatty hilum is preserved, so that is a good thing.

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  • flashlight
    flashlight Member Posts: 698
    edited December 2019

    Hi ljturner66, This actually happened to me. I went and had a mammogram done close to where I worked for convenience. There was a question about the mammogram so I decided to go to the breast center at the hospital where you didn't have to pay extra for a 3D mammogram. I understand you anxiety over this. Can your primary or GYN give you an order for a repeat hopefully, 3D mammogram?

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  • ljturner66
    ljturner66 Member Posts: 4
    edited December 2019

    Hi All,

    Thanks for the replies. The first finding (#1) is a new one, and they did the recall because this view was different from prior screening mammograms. Prior to this one, I always have gotten the dense breast letter and moved on with my life until the next year.

    The machine is a 3-D machine which is new in the office where I had the screening mammogram and the same one they used for the diagnostic mammogram. So at first I thought maybe it was just because of the new machine, but when the ultrasound report came back the findings made me question that. Also I have noticed some drooping of the nipple on that breast as compared to the other, enough that I noticed it before the screening mammogram. If it seems like it's probably a benign finding I will try to be patient. It's just so unnerving.

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  • Garnersuz77
    Garnersuz77 Member Posts: 44
    edited December 2019

    I had a similar experience and was told they weren’t worried but I should come back for another screening in 6 months instead of a year. That didn’t sit well so I asked my OBGYN for a referral to a breast surgeon. The surgeon I met with informed me that mammograms (even the tomo 3D version) are not good screening tools for women with dense breast tissue. She ordered a baseline MRI (much better tool for dense breasts) which found a stage 2 tumor. Check out areyoudense.org.

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  • mac5
    mac5 Member Posts: 135
    edited December 2019

    Hi ljturner...the absolute best diagnostic test today is a Dedicated Breast MRI. You lie down on the table with two holes for your breasts to drop into. Each hole has a separate MRI “coil” to completely examine each breast and the chest wall behind them.

    It is usually found in a Breast Center dedicated to Breast Cancer. But since you are Post Menopausal, you have Dense Breast Tissue, and you have had a questionable Mammogram, and you see visible changes, your Insurance should pay. If not, ask the Center where you find the machine for information about payment.

    Just keep pushing until you are satisfied with the Test. If you see changes in the nipple, 6 months of waiting could be a bad thing.

    Best wishes. And remember you know your body better than anyone

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  • Rah2464
    Rah2464 Member Posts: 1,647
    edited December 2019

    I echo what Garners and mac are saying. Please consider pushing for an MRI. Dense tissue is very difficult to accurately image with a mammogram, even the much lauded 3D. I had yearly mammos from the age of 30, they never saw a thing but the MRI did. Trust your instinct on this one. And hey, if the MRI comes back clean ok you have a baseline and peace of mind.

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  • ljturner66
    ljturner66 Member Posts: 4
    edited December 2019

    Again thanks for the replies. I think the MRI is a good idea - my breasts are very small and dense and it sounds like mammogram isn't the best test. I am going to pursue this and see what I can get going. I am trying to stay positive!

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