Intro after lurking

Hi HopeHeal, one step at a time. You don't have a diagnosis yet, birads-4 is about 70% likely to be benign & DCIS is a PRE-cancerous condition.

So tell those thoughts to just stop now. Get your biopsy, wait for results. The waiting sucks but really, there's no point in borrowing tomorrow's troubles. Have you got your biopsy booked?

Hang in there

Well but birads-4 is 70% benign. It's just that they can't be that sure just by looking at it so they prefer a pathologist to look at it under the microscope. Tons of women have birads 4 and 7/10 are not diagnosed with a cancer. The biopsy needle track seeding is imo a theoretical thing. So many of women have repeat biopsies that if it was really a common thing, we'd know about it by now. Pleomorphic can really go either way.

Try to distract yourself as much as possible and assume the best

thank you for your kind words

Hi HopeHeal,

I went through what you are being through right now not long ago. (I am still recovering from my surgery, but I am feeling much better, and more like myself each da) I remember the worry about possible outcome and how to tell loved ones with the fear of putting them through the same constant worry and scare as you are. However, the people on this board had helped me to realize that most biopsies with birads 4 are benign, and even if it turns out to be not benign, it is possible that it is DCIS (which is my case, and I had quite big area of pure DCIS on my small breast). On the other note, my sister had biopsy after screening mammogram many years ago, and hers were totally benign.

I know it is hard to convince not to worry too much, but hope that you can distract yourself with other things. Hope that your biopsy will turn out to be benign.

Try to remember that "Nagging Feeling" does not have an M.D. after its name, so it's not a radiologist or a diagnostician, nor does it have any medical knowledge.

HopefulHeal - you are under no obligation to tell family and friends. I agree about their fears, but I have never experienced stigma. The only person I informed about my potential diagnosis was my husband, I informed family, including children, and select friends only after I had a treatment plan because otherwise all they would have had was their fears. Once you have your diagnosis, if it is not benign, you might feel pressured to move in one treatment direction or another, but it will be your choice. I understand that the limbo you are in now offers some comfort but Ignorance is bliss only up to a point and there is always hope.

HopeHeal - this is all great feedback.

Just to add, I also didn't tell anyone until after I was diagnosed AND had a treatment plan mapped out. And I did go for a second opinion before settling on my eventual plan. We can be your sounding board for whatever you need to share or ask.

BTW - Best tomorrow!

ALice - that's the best response yet. My son is 50 this year and he was my care giver through both surgeries. Still - I covered my breasts (or foobs) at all times, even when he was helping me strip the drains. And OMG - I wrapped my surgical wounds with Glad Press N'Ply before showering and insisted that he wasn't in the room - although I needed help to get into the shower. What a PITA.

Holiday cards - LOL

Grade 3 tells you how fast the cells are reproducing. When you see 'Grade" in our siglines, that's it. You're Grade 3 (highest. Means tumor is relatively fast growing & the cells are dividing sloppily). These slides all have to be read by a trained pathologist so it will probably be all right - doesn't matter who gets the sample, so long as it's a good sample & they can stain it & stick it under a microscope.

The DCIS at this point is not really relevant honestly for your prognosis, though it may affect surgical options. The IDC is the more serious diagnosis and it will dictate systemic treatment.

HopeHeal, I hope you are able to get into the surgeon soon and can get a plan in place. A medical plan will help you know what/when/if to tell others of your need for treatment, and then you can determine if you need to "put your life on hold." I know it's hard now, but being able to make treatment choices will determine how long you will need for recovery. All the best, and please let us know your next steps.

HopeHeal, everyone's plan of treatment varies by your diagnosis and options chosen. You may find that a surgeon gives you time to make choices, and not everyone needs chemo which is based on BC type and stage (based on pathology report), node involvement, etc. I did not need chemo, had a lumpectomy, and was back to work in three days wearing a breast binder under a fleece jacket so I did not need to tell everyone. I had SAVI radiation over 10 days and didn't miss any full days of work--only hours. You will want to talk about your other health concerns with the surgeon and any other doctors you are referred to. They may have other patients with the same issues and will probably be able to reassure you about treatment plans. Hope you can go to a the breast center that has a nurse navigator, as that person will be your go-to person for your specific needs, questions/answers, and reassurance. Otherwise, keep asking here!