MRI Detection - Second Opinion?

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msrich110279
msrich110279 Member Posts: 2
edited June 2014 in High Risk for Breast Cancer
MRI Detection - Second Opinion?
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  • msrich110279
    msrich110279 Member Posts: 2
    edited May 2008

    I am 28 and have a strong family history of breast cancer (my mom died at 34 from a rare and agressive form)  and I have a green/black nipple discharge this year so I have been seeing doctors to try and find out if I have breast cancer. After having a mamogram and an ultrasound (which were both negative), my second doctor said I have very dense, fiberous breasts and he recommended yearly MRIs. I had the MRI and the radiologist found an abnomality in my right breast between 12 and 1 oclock but he said he did not think it was cancerous and that I should have another MRI in 6 months.

    That all seemed good at first, but I'm still worried. The doctor who treated my mom initally told her that her cyst was not cancerous and then due to the agressive nature of her cancer, she died within six months. So six months seems like a long time to wait to find out if it needs to be looked into further. But I'm not sure what to do or who to talk to about getting a second opinion or reading of the MRI.

    I read a lot about how MRIs detect more cancers in young women than mamograms, but how MRIs also generate more false positives than mamograms. So I guess I should be happy they didn't tell me I do have cancer and I dont. But what if the radiologist was erring o the side of caution and told me he doesn't htink it's cancer when it could be.

    Is anyone else dealing with this?

    How should I go about getting a second opinion on the MRI results?

    Is there any other testing that can be doen or should I just wait the 6 months and see if another camparision MRI relveals anything else? 

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  • VBG
    VBG Member Posts: 227
    edited May 2008

    Hi MSRich,

    Yes get a second opinion.  Reading breast MRIs is a specialty and not all radiologists are "equal" when it comes to reading them.  I would look to take your MRI to another radiologist preferably one that works at a large breast cancer center.  I would also go back to your Doc that ordered the MRI and ask if this "suspicious" area needs to be biopsied just to be sure.

    Given your history and your dense breast tissue (which is a significant risk factor in itself) I would push for more info.  Since the radiologist does not "think" it is cancer it does not sound like he is sure what it is!

    Never be afraid to push for answers, ask lot of questions and follow your own instincts!

    I wish you the best!

    Valerie

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  • Nichola
    Nichola Member Posts: 402
    edited May 2008

    I do feel for you....especially after what happened to your mum:

    My advice is get back in touch with the radiologist and ask them to explain more fully what they saw and why they think it's OK to wait 6 months?

    And/OR...if you decide to go for a second opinion you have to request the films of your MRI and any notes and tell them you want to put your mind at rest by getting a second opinion.  They are completely used to this and won't be offended and can suggest where you could go.  (They will have to see you in person).  Do you have a John Hopkins Clinic near you)?

    Do let us know how you get on... Sending you love and luck...

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  • wishiwere
    wishiwere Member Posts: 3,793
    edited May 2008

    Make sure you are going to a breast cancer clinic and not a routine screening mammo and /or MRI reader!

    {{hugs}} prayers and hope this all turns out to be B9 and not anything, but always better to be safer than sorry as you know already.

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  • carollyn
    carollyn Member Posts: 70
    edited May 2008

    I agree with wishiwere, go to a breast cancer only institute.  I live maybe 30 miles from my BS, so I felt something, waited a couple of months while I was busy with  my personal/work life, called a 'local' breast screen place....my report came back clean health, nothing at all on the Ultra sounds readings....can only say, go to a MAJOR breast clinic only.  IDC.......ADH last time!

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  • JMJ532
    JMJ532 Member Posts: 181
    edited May 2008

    Hi,

    You may decide to go to a surgeon and see if you may need to have a duct removed; my nipple wasn't greenish discharge but rather a bit bloody.  I went in for an intraductal papilloma to be removed (no cancerous signs on MRI, mammogram, or ultrasound)--95% of time this was to be non-cancerous; unfortunately I was in the low 5%.  My surgeon was surprised at finding cancer--luckily it was found early!

    Do what you think is best for you.......remember that you are your own best advocate!

    JMJ

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  • crunches1
    crunches1 Member Posts: 27
    edited May 2008

    I say consider what happened to rock star Sheryl Crow and how she found her bc. Initially, the surgeon she was referred to told her to not worry and to return later; however, her gyn said for her to not wait and you know, it was bc.

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