mammogram ultrasound additional mammogram pics

I should add on December 10th I go for another mammogram, another ultrasound and a stereotactic core biopsy right after. I was wondering why they are redoing them. Weren't the first ones good enough?

I didn’t let them repeat the mammogram. I came in for a biopsy and When the tech led me back to get another mammogram, I said, “Oh no. You’re not going to do another mammogram.” She went and told the doctor. (I don’t care what the doctor says. I’m an adult and know how to say no.) She couldn’t force me to get a mammogram so I just had the biopsy.

I was charged for the extra mammogram; called the billing office and they took the charge off. They can get into a lot of trouble charging for procedures they didn’t do.

Since then I have said no to mammograms, ultrasounds, and MRIs after I broke a rib getting one, (You will need a 3 Tesla for breast MRIs.) My ribs were so soft from radiation that I broke a rib laying down on the MRI machine. It was a 1.5 Tesla so they couldn’t even get films.

I allow blood draws for Signatera. I also won’t have any “Let’s just see” CTs, etc. That drug they put in my vein isn’t good for my kidneys. There is research now saying that CTs aren’t as safe as they thought they were. I wish you the best. ❤️

@sharon35981 Thank you for sharing your story with me. Sometimes I need to be reminded that I'm an adult can say no, make my own medical choices. Thank you for that.
~Wende

I had similar but not as close to the areola (nipple) - steriotactic path turned out to be Atypical Ductal Hyperlasia (ADH). I had a mag seed placed followed by a lumpectomy -and the lumpectomy path came back ADH with Lobular Carcinoma In-Situ (LCIS). I was called in after the first mammo for a second, and then I waited for the radiologist to read and advise while at the Breast Center - and then we booked the steriotactic a for a day or two later. So I only had one steriotactic visit - and following that I went back for a mag seed insertion prior to the lumpectomy. During my steriotactic they pulled the micro-calcifications for examination; although the samples looked like small bits of fat - yes, I wanted to see it before the sample was sent for path. Harvesting areas of micro-calcs might be standard and really what the steriotactic diagnostic was designed for. So it could be they would like a second sample to verify readings of the first - or maybe they would like to sample the area of "ill defined density"? Be confident that the diagnostics they order will help them to classify your condition and guide your treatment plan. BTW LCIS sounds terrible but it is a form of pre-cancer. Ductal Carcinoma In-Situ (DCIS) also sounds terrible but it too is a form of pre-cancer. DCIS is much more common than LCIS. Also, some argue LCIS and DCIS are not cancer at all because they are "in-situ" and not spread (invasive) through other tissues. The problem is, these forms can become invasive and metastatic.; then known as ILC and IDC. I have seen LCIS classed as cancer 0 and as pre-cancer - but DCIS has many more grades 0-3 and generally a more aggressive treatment plan. Odd thing is, having a second DX o f LCIS increases everyones life time risk of breast cancer in either breast. When you have LCIS you are three or four times more likely than the average women to develop BC - so while it is not classed the same as DCIS it carries that additional risk for cancer in both breasts.

Since I had a dual diagnosis of ADH and LCIS I had genetic counseling and we ran my genome to get a better idea of my actual lifetime risk. I did not have BRCA mutations but two others (BRIP and BMP1A) that are suspect for increased risk to develop BC; they need more data to know for certain. I do have a family history of BC. I was offered 6 month/biannual surveillance and/or 5-10 year tamoxifen or a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy as treatment plans. I preferred a one and done scenario and opted for the prophylactic double mastectomy - and without reconstruction. Further, I elected an alternative flat closure (AFC) over the standard simple mastectomy. There are social media groups that can educate you about the AFC procedure and provide support. The best for AFC is "not putting on a shirt" - https://notputtingonashirt.org/. I was lucky, path on both breasts came back clear for cancer so I required no further treatments; other than PT for movement and I see a OT lymphatic specialist for residual lymphedema.

We think the lymphedema (up on the side with ADH/LCIS) will not be chronic and possibly due to the close timing between the lumpectomy (May 16th) and mastectomy (July 9th) - and I had a previous lumpectomy in the same breast and area in 1998. I am almost five months out and feeling great; a bit worried by the lymphedema but it is sloooowly going down.

Waiting for path reports is always the worst part of the whole process; yes, even worse than the double mastectomy! I think I feel this way because having the mastectomy allowed me to take control of the situation; catharsis! To me, waiting to hear back is almost unbearable. It should be no surprise I went for the one and done double mastectomy with no reconstruction - I did not want further complications or future surgeries. My current life time risk is now 2-3%. FYI Despite having the mastectomy I still have to monitor by chest wall for recurrence. This doesn't bother at all; I did it anyway when I had breasts.

I hope my journey gives you a starting point to educate yourself about possible DX and treatment plans. Try not to worry (I know it is hard!) because you may find that your diagnosis is not as bad as you may have imagined. And if it does turn out to be one of the most nasty varieties, know you can navigate the storm - you'll learn about your disease, possible treatments, and make choices with your care team. You are in a good starting place with the Mayo community; so many wonderful contributors, some decades long survivors - added bonus of long term perspective, and the monitors will provide you with additional links or research articles that are very informative. I wish you best prognosis and a wonderful life - good luck with your journey!

I had a mastectomy on the right side followed by a chest wall recurrence 2 weeks later. I wanted a prophylactic mastectomy on the left side but was told the standard of care (Canada) is an AI and to keep the other breast. My mammogram technotold me that she knows women who beg their oncologist to remove the opposite side with a prophylactic mastectomy and are refused. So when I learned that I had “calcifications” on my opposite breast I used it as an excuse to take off the other side. I also agreed to a bilateral reconstruction (as my cousin who is a surgical nurse told me that they are more likely to do the procedure as plastic surgeons like to do both reconstructions at the same time as it lends itself to symmetry). My surgeon told me that removing the other side brings down the life time chances of BC to 5 percent (as opposed to about 20 per percent). I am thrilled to have it gone and love my two new breasts! I advice anyone who has the opportunity, to seize the chance of prophylactic mastectomy if you can. 🥰

@mswendeu
❤️❤️❤️Sharon

@mswendeu I had a .7 cm lesion at 9 o’clock, 9 cm from nipple. I had mammogram, US, and then an US supported core needle biopsy (not stereotactic).
The percentage of lesions found by mammogram that are cancer are low, but a Birad 4 has a higher percentage. If I were you, I’d have the biopsy. And expect an MRI follow up. I did not have pain with my biopsy, except the initial injection of lidocaine (like at the dentist office). I’ve now had 4 MRIs with no problems, although maneuvering onto the table is interesting.
I had a lumpectomy using breast conserving surgery, tissue was adjusted so there is no depression (divot) where the lesion was removed. I chose 5 day radiation, although today it is sometimes an option to have none. I’m on 5mg tamoxifen even though I’m postmenopausal.

As you make decisions it’s important to pay attention to the biopsy and later pathology. The grade is informing, mine was intermediate. The grade is an indication of 3 measures. The type cell is important, mine was 3 types, cribriform (not too bad), papillary (not too bad), solid (not good). Comedo vs noncomedo is important. “Comedo” - if you think about acne and a comedone, it’s similar. It’s a small bump. It indicates a higher collection of cells - and in breast cancer more often cancer cells. Cancer.org and Komen.org are just a couple of the good cancer sites to give you more info.

Check to see if they recommend taking Tylenol or other pain reliever before the biopsy. They sometimes do - if they decide they need to look at lymph node involvement then I understand it’s more comfortable taking Tylenol before.

@anatomary Thank you for this descriptive response and for the link. I appreciate you more than you know.
I told my primary care doctor that I would choose mastectomy over being poked prodded irradiated for however many days weeks months. I am 51 1/2 yrs old my breast feeding and being groped days are long over. I opt for whatever comfort I can keep.

Again Thank you for sharing with me.
~Wende

@triciaot
This is very good information. I was looking at a couple websites sometimes it seems so overwhelming.
Thank you very much for sharing this. It's greatly appreciated and helps me look up other things that aren't the standard breast cancer answer.
~
Wende