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caramadra
caramadra Member Posts: 2
edited November 2020 in Waiting for Test Results

59 y.o., have had mammograms annually for longer than I can remember.  In 1996, had a "lump" removed that turned out to be nothing.  Mom had DCIS cancer 1-2 times with no real issues; maternal Grandma had (and, maybe, died from) breast cancer in the 70's.  I'm a DES daughter.  In recent years, radiologists have started using the phrase "dense tissue" with me.

I started with a new primary care doc this year (female) who recommended I see a breast specialist, because of the dense tissue.  That breast specialist recommended an MRI.  Then Covid hit - I put it (and all healthcare) off.  I thought I felt a lump in a self-exam in about August, so I went ahead and scheduled the MRI.

The MRI results came to my portal account quickly, and scared me:

FINDINGS: The breasts are composed of heterogeneous fibroglandular tissue. There is mild symmetric background parenchymal enhancement. No enlarged axillary or internal mammary chain lymph nodes.

LEFT BREAST:  There is a 0.4 x 0.3 x 0.5 cm enhancing mass in the upper inner left breast (series 508 image 52 and series 515 image 34).

RIGHT BREAST:  No suspicious enhancing masses or non mass enhancement.

(That's a different location than where I thought I felt a lump.)  They wanted to compare to a previous mammogram before deciding further.  Because I went to a different hospital network than my doc is in, for the MRI, getting the result from the mammogram comparison took forever.  My hypochondria started to kick in.

Now, the radiologist says

FINDINGS: No definite mammographic correlate is seen for the upper inner left breast mass. Therefore, stability cannot be determined.

ASSESSMENT: BI-RADS 4: Suspicious

MANAGEMENT: Biopsy is recommended.

Recommend targeted ultrasound of the upper inner left breast (10 to 11 o'clock position approximately 2 cm from the nipple) for sonographic correlate and possible ultrasound-guided biopsy. If no sonographic correlate is seen, recommend MRI biopsy.

I've gotten an order for an ultrasound - does that mean I'll get a biopsy at the same time, if they see something?  Waiting for the two different hospital systems to communicate with each other, and for my insurance to "precertify" my testing, is excruciating.

I realize that this could still turn out to be nothing (I hope!) but I also realize that my history doesn't help.  I have 4 older female siblings who have never had any breast issues, so I hope it's just something benign.

I joined this forum because of the very very helpful information I found on other posts, and in an effort to avoid googling far and wide and setting off further anxiety.

Thanks for letting me vent.

Cara

P.S.  If you have dense tissue - can you skip the annual mammogram and go straight to an annual MRI, instead, for "screening?"

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Comments

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

    As to skipping the mammogram for annual MRIs, no. Mammograms are best for seeing calcifications. If something is seen on MRI you are usually sent for mammogram and/or sonographic correlation. Insurance companies also don’t generally consider MRIs screening tools, so likely wouldn’t pay for annual ones, barring you being diagnosed with particular high risk conditions. If that happened some women get six month rotating mammograms and MRIs. Also, heterogeneously dense breasts are what the majority of us have. Your breasts do not appear to be extremely dense by the report. One thought, the breast surgeon may work through a designated breast facility and you may get higher quality breast imaging, including mammograms and sonograms, at the breast center.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited October 2020

    Hi caramadra, we welcome you here, and we understand your concerns, and hope we can support you. We too hope that it's all benign! Great questions for your doctors whether they allow you to skip the annual mammogram and go straight to an annual MRI. HHere is a section on dense breasts, though we are currently updating as well. Have you asked them if that is an option, and with your insurance? Please keep us all posted!!

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    • Moderators
      Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
      edited October 2020

      Hi caramadra, we welcome you here, and we understand your concerns, and hope we can support you. We too hope that it's all benign! Great questions for your doctors whether they allow you to skip the annual mammogram and go straight to an annual MRI. Have you asked them if that is an option, and with your insurance? Please keep us all posted!!


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      • caramadra
        caramadra Member Posts: 2
        edited November 2020

        Happy to report a failed ultrasound biopsy followed by an MRI biopsy (those are NOT “fine needles!”) which resulted in a status of benign! Relieved. I am directed to get another mammo in 6 months which seems pointless since my mammos have never shown anything. But I’ll comply.


        thanks for this resource and the support

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      • LivinLife
        LivinLife Member Posts: 1,332
        edited November 2020

        Wonderful!!! So happy for you!

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      • Harley07
        Harley07 Member Posts: 164
        edited November 2020

        Great news

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

        Great news! Thanks for updating us!

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      • Jons_girl
        Jons_girl Member Posts: 696
        edited November 2020

        That is great news! My breasts were extremely dense. I skip mammos sincevi had cancer dx. My cancer wasn’t seen on mammo. Ultrasound saw my tumor. I know mammos do see calcifications tho. Because I have a family hx of breast cancer my breast dr said I qualify for diagnostics every 6 mo. I’ve just chosen to have periodic MRI(once every year or two) and ultrasound the other checks when I’m not having MRI. I figure the MRI would see any calcifications more than likely. And ultrasound could potentially catch anything else.

        Just a suggestion...advocate for yourself. Just because yr doctor says that you should have mammos, doesn’t mean you can’t have additional diagnostics. If you want to have mammo and ultrasound you can push for the additional diagnostics. Insurance should possibly pay for that with your family history. But you’d have to ask your doctors office.

        www.areyoudense.org has the state laws on their website regarding breast density laws. In my state of you have heterogeneously or extremely dense tissue you have a legal right to have additional diagnostics yearly. I’m not sure which state you are living in. But that might be good info to look up.

        So glad your results were benign!!

        Blessings!

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