1. < Breast Cancer

DCIS first follow up since surgery in September.

Posted by flowergal @flowergal, May 22 8:38pm

Diagnosed with DCIS stage 0, grade 3. No lymph node involvement, lumpectomy, 5 weeks radiation. Very dense breasts. Had two consults both said lumpectomy, radiation, Anastrozole.

Yesterday had follow up diagnostic mammogram. I knew something was up as they kept calling me back for more scans.

They found "fatty Necrosis" under the lumpectomy scar.
That breast always hurts especially when I work out.

The other breast- now they see three areas of calcifications that they believe are benign, but they can change. This was not what I expected.

Another mammogram in six months and MRI.

I'm now second guessing myself as to whether I should have had a DMX instead of lumpectomy because of the breast density. I am having major anxiety regarding having to be "worried" all the time that my breasts are cooking up cancer.

Not sure how to process or prepare myself for the next exam. I hate knowing these calcifications are now in my other breast.

Anyone else go through this uncertainty?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group.

flowergal | @flowergal | May 30 9:59am
In reply to @jlgc "I so agree with you about the MRI for dense breasts…don’t know why exactly it’s not..." + (show)
@jlgc

I so agree with you about the MRI for dense breasts…don’t know why exactly it’s not the first choice for dense breasts in this country, other countries go straight to MRI. Now I also have seen that MRI misses some lesions and that in many cases both (imo) evaluations are needed for dense breasts. I have been told that it’s the insurers who won’t go along with it. But I believe it is probably more than that and that the research has not caught up with the actual need.
Also regarding calcifications in the other breast research shows that it’s pretty rare in the contralateral breast. I had that scare this past January while in for my annual mammogram but biopsy was negative.
So good luck will be thinking about you , good vibes your way.

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Sorry you had a scare too. Glad it was ok.
You all know the feeling of being the last person in the mammogram waiting area and being called back multiple times :0
Now the Anastrozole is kicking
my butt! Have to figure that out.

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Rubyslippers | @triciaot | May 30 10:39am
In reply to @jlgc "Looks like they are gathering more info on MRI vs. MBI https://www.breastcancer.org/screening-testing/molecular-breast-imaging" + (show)
@jlgc

Looks like they are gathering more info on MRI vs. MBI
https://www.breastcancer.org/screening-testing/molecular-breast-imaging

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Something to watch for - MBI uses a radioactive tracer so you’d want to limit how often you have one.
Also, this article says it’s less expensive than MRI. Insurance companies are sure to jump on that. Self advocating is important - sometimes you may really need a MBI other times it might be better to limit the radioactive tracer.

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gillbell84 | @gillbell84 | May 31 10:57am
In reply to @jlgc "Looks like they are gathering more info on MRI vs. MBI https://www.breastcancer.org/screening-testing/molecular-breast-imaging" + (show)
@jlgc

Looks like they are gathering more info on MRI vs. MBI
https://www.breastcancer.org/screening-testing/molecular-breast-imaging

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Interesting - I wonder if you can have this type of imaging if you have had a DXM - I will ask at my next review.

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flowergal | @flowergal | May 31 2:47pm
In reply to @jlgc "Correct… they saw a “suspicious” ductal calcification on mammogram on the contralateral breast. It was pretty..." + (show)
@jlgc

Correct… they saw a “suspicious” ductal calcification on mammogram on the contralateral breast. It was pretty large (12mm) and a bi rad 3-4. It was biopsied and found to be negative for cancer. So yes it was in the duct but NOT cancer so not DCIS.(Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)
I suppose I have more questions and should know but don’t if 1) was the whole 12mm removed at time of Bx and 2) if not completely removed what is the risk to develop into a malignancy.
You ask “what did I do?” 2 weeks later I went on a 5 week trip to Spain.!!

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Hope you enjoyed your trip!

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toomanyquestions | @toomanyquestions | Jun 1 3:45pm

Hi Floergal,
So sorry you are worried.
I had the DMX and am still worried.🤪
With DCIS found in October of 2022, medium to high grade, I was given the options. But they ALSO sent the biopsy to be checked for histochemistry, There, they performed further testing and found that my DCIS would not have optimal results if I just did radiation. Therefore, I opted for the DMX. When the breast was sent out for pathology, they found SEVERAL more areas of high grade DCIS. The other breast was fine. My DMX was the right choice for me. But given a choice, if close monitoring were a valid and safe option, if I were younger, I would choose that. Yearly Mammogram and 6 months later a yearly MRI. I did so until age 60, when I had this DCIS, which they found on my yearly check up. DMX is a big deal. I like being flat. I look great in clothes. But I miss intimacy with my spouse. And no matter what he says about how it doesn’t matter to him, he doesn’t come near me anymore.

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gardenfairy | @gardenfairy | Jun 3 10:13pm
In reply to @gillbell84 "Hi I’m so sorry for your anxiety - it’s so hard. I have extremely dense breasts..." + (show)
@gillbell84

Hi I’m so sorry for your anxiety - it’s so hard. I have extremely dense breasts and had extensive grade 3 DCIS in left breast and opted for DXM. Between the ultrasound & diagnostic mammogram I then had an MRI due to extremely dense breasts and this informed decision for mastectomy. I would ask to prioritise MRI now because extremely dense breasts don’t always show everything on mammogram. Then you have the fullest picture possible.

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Very sorry to hear of your struggle. I support the use of MRI over mammogram and ultrasound since the latter two are often not useful if ILC and other lesions are present in dense breasts.

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1 reply
flowergal | @flowergal | Jun 4 1:27pm
In reply to @gardenfairy "Very sorry to hear of your struggle. I support the use of MRI over mammogram and..." + (show)
@gardenfairy

Very sorry to hear of your struggle. I support the use of MRI over mammogram and ultrasound since the latter two are often not useful if ILC and other lesions are present in dense breasts.

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Thank you for reply and advice. Am aiming for an MRI.

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