Positive words sometimes help more than hard facts

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cbdowel
cbdowel Member Posts: 4
edited January 2020 in Not Diagnosed But Worried

Hello, this has all happened so fast. I am 41 and went in for my first mammogram. Got called back in for a diagnostic which I was told was normal for a first timer and someone with dense breasts. Wow, went in today for the diagnostic and ultra sound and was told there is THREE areas of concern on my right breast. Tried to gauge the doctor’s concern level. She said it could be nothing but honestly “she is concerned.” Biopsy scheduled for two days from now. My primary care doctor said I have about a 65% chance its malignant, if he had to guess. Where does he get this number from? No history of family breast cancer. Information online is all over the place - only 1 in 8 biopsies are cancer. 75% of biopsies are not cancer. Numbers dont match up and why did my doc say my chances of not cancer are only 35%?? I am so scared, my daughters have nobody but me. If it is cancer is it early? advance? aggressive? What are my chances??? I am literally going crazy and hugging and kissing my daughters excessively. Ugh

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  • ceanna
    ceanna Member Posts: 5,270
    edited January 2020

    cbdowel, welcome to the place no one would choose. It is hard when you don't know how this will evolve. Just take good care of yourself, try not to worry (hard to do), and stay away from Dr. Google. We'll give you (((((Hugs))))) while you wait for answers. Your daughters will enjoy the extra hugs and kisses, but depending on their ages, please try not to share your concerns with them yet. Keep us up-to-date as you go through the biopsy and wait for results. Ask any question you have and we'll try to respond quickly. All the best to you.

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  • cbdowel
    cbdowel Member Posts: 4
    edited January 2020

    Thank you so much, just getting a response was so uplifting! Google has been the worst, and I will sty away from it!

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  • Beesie
    Beesie Member Posts: 12,240
    edited January 2020

    So sorry you are going through this. It's scary, I know.

    Do you have a copy of the imaging reports? There will be a BIRADS rating on the report - usually a BIRADS4 indicates that a biopsy is recommended. Sometimes the "4" is broken down into 4A, 4B or 4C. While overall about 30% of BIRADs4 biopsies turn out to be malignant, the percent is less for 4A and more for 4B and higher still for 4C. Additionally, the words used to describe the area being biopsied could provide a strong indication as to whether this is likely to be benign or is higher risk to be malignant. So this could be why your doctor assesses your risk to be 65%. That said, primary care docs are not experts at interpreting radiology reports and your doc could easily be over-estimating your risk.

    Now, if it does turn out that your biopsy is positive, the important thing to know is that most breast cancer diagnoses are early stage and have an excellent prognosis.

    Good luck with the biopsy, and fingers crossed for good results!

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  • cbdowel
    cbdowel Member Posts: 4
    edited January 2020

    Thank you for the reply! They have not sent my report to my online chart yet so I do not now the Birads score just yet. I asked if she could tell if it was early or not and she said not until we do the biopsy. I am thankful they were able to schedule it so soon and hopefully they will be telling me all three apots are benign by Friday

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  • OnTarget
    OnTarget Member Posts: 447
    edited January 2020

    cbdowel, Good luck and fingers crossed that it is nothing!

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  • CGLion
    CGLion Member Posts: 56
    edited January 2020

    I am so sorry you are getting this information! After my experience going through this I have told me doctors that not seeing my report is significantly more stressful to me. Now my follow up appointments start with being handed a copy of my test results so I can read them as I am getting the "official" explanation. Some offices let me keep that copy and others say they cant let me keep it and I have to wait for it to be posted in my patient portal. In those cases I take a picture with my phone, lol. But with imaging if the radiologist talks to you immediately after the imaging the report of course is not done yet. Some of my friends are completely opposite of me and don't ever want to see their reports because it makes them more stressed. So let your doctors know what is best for you and encourage them to work with you to lower the stress as much a possible.

    No matter what you are going to be stressed about this, it is nearly impossible not to be. No matter how favorable the statistics may or may not be it is hard to not picture the worst possibility. For now take the time to pamper yourself and go do something you really enjoy, by yourself or with your family, whatever you want. This is a time where it is a good idea to be a little selfish and non constructive with your time....The laundry can be folded later :)

    Also if you have two sports bras that you can layer, bring them with you to your biopsy. This was suggested to me and it was amazing being able to place the ice pad between the two bras and having both hands free! You will likely have some more waiting time after the biopsy before you pathology results come back so make sure to continue and plan things you enjoy to help keep your mind occupied on positive things as much as possible.

    BTW I am one of the many people who ended up with benign results after scary imaging. In the end only a tissue sample can tell you for sure what is going on.

    And Beesie I just have to say you are awesome! You always give great info and are very compassionate....your current and past posts helped me when I was really freaking out about all the possibilities.

    Carissa

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  • godisone
    godisone Member Posts: 100
    edited January 2020

    You are fine dear. Hugging and kissing your loved ones is no wrong.There is no one who can assume or predict the chances of any person to have cancer and its percentage. Dense breasts cannot be directed related to the chances of getting cancer. Why did you go for a mammogram? Was there any sign? Discuss with your doctor about your mode of action for future related to your mammograph readings an how often do you need to get them (mammograph) done.

    Good luck dear.

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  • Dk11111
    Dk11111 Member Posts: 3
    edited January 2020

    Have to agree with godisone, love those kids. No matter how it turns out they are your heart so give them all the hugs. They may not know what you’re going through but they will hold the love that they feel and it’s going to give you strength.

    When I started this road in the beginning of December, I set it up in my head that I was not going to let my anxiety flow into others, but I did take the time to be with them through the holidays and really listen to and enjoy them and it helped immensely as a distraction and as a connection.

    However this turns out for you or anyone here. This group has amazing info and support. We are here for you.

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  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited January 2020

    Well, I am going to have to disagree with “godisone”, except for that hugging loved ones, which certainly hurts nothing.

    A good radiologist certainly can estimate the likelihood that what they see on imaging is or is not cancer. Your GP may not get or understand that, but the radiologist certainly does.. Breast density DOES have a bearing on whether additional imaging is required, and is actually a separate risk factor for cancer.

    She asks whether there was a “reason” for screening, when clearly at 40 this was a baseline screening wirh FINDINGS. The original poster has been teferred for a biopsy, so her recommendation to refer to doctor for “future screening” recommendations is meaningless and beside the point.

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