New mass found: Any opinions on recommended follow-up?

Sorry you are undergoing all this stress. I would be very afraid since you've just dealt with colon cancer.

Can you ask for an ultrasound? My surgeon requests one, everytime there's a new lump. I've had several of these tests in my left breast.

I totally agree with you that a biopsy would least give you and your doctors more information if it's cancerous or not.

Hugs.

I would insist on whatever you feel is necessary or find another practice. I'm enduring a similar situation in that my pcp and specialist seem to have no interest and what they do say makes no sense.

sometimes, we have to be our own advocate. Personally, I would address your concern to your doctor and just ask why they don't just biopsy it for you. If your doctor gives you a reasonable explanation, then you have your answer. If not, then say thank you for your time, but I need to find a doctor that will care for MY needs. I do believe your doctor thinks he/she is doing what is best for you. If you're not feeling the love, then it's time to move on. Listen to your gut - that's where your intuition is located. If it doesn't feel right to you, then it probably isn't best for you. Keep us posted. Please?

If I were in your situation, I would insist on an ultrasound or biopsy. "Watchful waiting" for two years...is a term used years ago. I had lobular breast cancer and at my 6 month checkup, my dr (whom I admire and respect) wanted to do a mammogram. But I had read on MD Anderson's site that lobular patients should have a breast MRI, not just a mammogram. So I insisted. Granted, it was early, etc, six months after my surgery but I wanted the best practice. So I got my breast MRI. And I'm embarrassed to say that I kinda freaked out inside this time. 🤣 Yes, it was hard for me. I did not press the panic button but this time, I was really uncomfortable. So afterwards I went online and discovered that there is now a 15 minute breast MRI. Hooray! It will take me to another hospital and perhaps they didn't like it, but I'm the one who has to sleep at night with my decisions. You deserve that right.

@lesliek808

Thank you everyone for responding , I did have the ultra sound right after the mammogram this is why I am frustrated , on the mammogram the tech who did it said they didn't see anything on the ultra sound they said its a mass and want me to continue to come in every six months to redo the mammogram and the ultra sound to watch it and this will go on for 2 yrs which is crazy to me, I personally want a biopsy done get it over with and find out what is there. I see my GP in May and am going to bring this up he is usually agreeable when I want something done so just have to wait till then if he gives me the oh they don't suggest it just yet I will just insist on it, I mean when you think about it better to know its something or nothing sooner then this constantly having to go back and forth.

Is it the radiologist that is recommending the wait? Can you request to see a breast specialist anyway? It seems your risk level is higher than standard mammogram schedules. I would question the radiologist, again if needed, and ask if they have determined your risk including the colon cancer, can they tell you why they have dismissed BRCA and Lynch Syndrome connection?

I had two mammograms and was told I had a Birads 3 area that the radiologist thought looked like a folded lymph node, it was in the LOQ. She said, wait 6 months for another mammogram, The report went to my regular doctor who was out on pregnancy leave. The NP filling in noted in my chart that I might want to still see a breast specialist. (Evidently a statement like that is a no-no, and she probably got a severe speaking to over it). I started trying to get an appointment to see a breast specialist but there was only two in the that medical system in our area, and overbooked. I finally asked for a biopsy, and because of the comment the NP recorded, they evidently had to do one. Original mammogram was in April, biopsy was mid June.
Biopsy showed a 1.6 cm DCIS with a papilloma, grade 2, with solid, cribriform, and papillary cancer formation. I decided to drive over three hours to a comprehensive cancer center for treatment. I went to their website, and it said “do you want to be a patient” and I typed yes. The response was incredible, fast and caring. I had an MRI there soon after.

I don’t want to scare you, because the chances of a Birads 3 being cancer is low. But, as my friend told me, “if you’re going to worry about this for 6 months a biopsy would be better”. Your regular doctor should recognize the health issues associated with that type of stress so would maybe help advocate for you.

@triciaot I am going to ask for a biopsy in May when I see my doctor I am not one who likes to wait on things either tell me what it is or give me further testing. My GP might say wait until I throw a hissy fit lol to get what I want. It was the radiology department that gave the result and a doctor who read the ultra sound. I am not comfortable with this after just having colon cancer resection . This was not there last yr so its new which I don't like.

UPDATE, So I spoke to my GP yesterday left a message and he called back. He said if I really wanted a biopsy he would schedule it for me, But he also said at this point because it is so small a biopsy might not get enough tissue sample to determine one way or the other what it is and there is also a chance they might miss the spot all together because of how small it is. So he said if it was his wife he would advise her to wait the six months go back do another mammogram and ultrasound and see if its stable if its not and they find any type of change then go ahead and do the biopsy which makes sense . So I will wait and see I told him the reason for the freak out is because in every single one of my mammograms on the right side there was nothing and this is brand new and just going through colon cancer surgery I was worried. So he put my fears to rest for a little bit for now. So just have to hope n pray this is a nothing.

@jlwilcox
Get a ultrasound, and then biopsy if you ask your doctor that is giving you the ultrasound they will tell you what it is or is not?? Early detection is everything!! Friendly advise from a person that has had cancer twice.