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Breast Cancer Support Group
Online

Breast Cancer Support Group

Mon, Oct 23, 2023
7:00pm to 8:00pm CT

Description

This breast cancer support group is open to individuals diagnosed with stage 0 – stage 3 breast cancer. The group meets via Zoom every Monday from 7:00 to 8:00 PM CT (find your time zone).  Mayo Clinic and non-Mayo Clinic patients are welcome.

This is a compassionate virtual space to connect with others who can relate to the physical and emotional impacts of breast cancer. The support group is community-based led by two breast cancer survivors who facilitate the meetings enhanced by their personal experiences. Regularly, providers from Mayo Clinic's Breast Cancer care team  join the group to offer support and share their breast cancer expertise.

To register and get the Zoom invite, contact: Lisa Halverson 507-254-4141 lisahalver@gmail.com

Location

Online

Contact

Lisa Halverson
Lisa Halverson
Email: lisahalver@gmail.com
Phone: 507-254-4141
collenp | @collenp | Nov 12, 2023
In reply to @collenp "I am so Happy to hear your good news. I am a 67 year old grandmother..." + (show)
@collenp

I am so Happy to hear your good news. I am a 67 year old grandmother who has been getting mammos since I was 45.
I had a 3 D Tomo and manual ultrasound diagnosed dense breasts, Bi-rad 3, benign cysts in 2017.
In 2019, 3 D Tomo and ultrasound, Bi-rad 3 again dense breasts, benign reading.
Its been 4 years, so many cases of breast cancer in my area.
I have been spending hours on the phone and web searches trying to find a breast center and/or radiology office that will perform a 3D tomo, a ABVS (Automated Breast Volume Scan Ultrasound along with a Bilateral Breast MRI.
I am tired of re-diating the breast, multiple 3D tomo images taken, questionabe findings with manual ultrasounds.
I have had false positive readings several times.
Some breast will not perform an ABVS unless you have had a Bi-rad 3 or 4 to cover. And performing an Breast MRI unless you have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Finally with much due diligence, and convincing my GP to order a diagnostic mammo verses an annual mammo, along with my Bi-rad 3 diagnosis,my Traditional Medicare along with my AARP Plan G will cover all 3 described tests listed above.
Why do women have to fight for these 3 tests to be performed all at once at your yearly visit and have to explain to your physicians how to complere the prescriptions for tests to reflect the need for them based on your
Bi-rad diagnosis.
Wish me luck my appt is on Nov 8th. My husband will be drivng an hour from our home to find this radiology center, the 3 breast/woman's health radiology centers near my home either do not gave ABVS or will not perform a breast MRI unless you have been diagnosed with breast cancer. The need for MRI's and DiGnostuc Imaging protocols need to be reassessed and insurance companies need to cover these test from the beginning the screening process. Thank you for your time. All the Best to you.
Take care
Colleen P

Jump to this post

Well I went for my appt.
I had the 3 D Tomo conducted first, then a ultrasound tech took me to the next exam room. Before she began the manual ultrasound, I informed her that I was scheduled for an ABVS digital ultrasound, she said, "my mammo finding was an A1 (whatever that means) and that I didn't warrant an ABVS screening and that I did not have dense breasts, but since I was scheduled for a Breast MRI which my physician signed the script for and that the MRI was the Best screening to have, after the maual ultrasound was performed, I had an IV put in and had the Breast MRI with contrast. Its been 3 days, I have not received any phone calls informing me of my results. It was explained to me that the radilologist will need a few days to review and send the reports to my primary physician.
This is the very first time in 25 years of having mammos to ever wait for results.
A radiologist always met with me the same day the tests were conducted. So I am waiting to hear from my PCP.
I will keep you posted. Thank you for listening.
Take care
Colleen P

REPLY
1 reply
hopeful2024 | @hopeful2024 | Nov 13, 2023

Keep us posted on the results
God Bless you
Maura

REPLY
collenp | @collenp | Nov 15, 2023
In reply to @collenp "Well I went for my appt. I had the 3 D Tomo conducted first, then a..." + (show)
@collenp

Well I went for my appt.
I had the 3 D Tomo conducted first, then a ultrasound tech took me to the next exam room. Before she began the manual ultrasound, I informed her that I was scheduled for an ABVS digital ultrasound, she said, "my mammo finding was an A1 (whatever that means) and that I didn't warrant an ABVS screening and that I did not have dense breasts, but since I was scheduled for a Breast MRI which my physician signed the script for and that the MRI was the Best screening to have, after the maual ultrasound was performed, I had an IV put in and had the Breast MRI with contrast. Its been 3 days, I have not received any phone calls informing me of my results. It was explained to me that the radilologist will need a few days to review and send the reports to my primary physician.
This is the very first time in 25 years of having mammos to ever wait for results.
A radiologist always met with me the same day the tests were conducted. So I am waiting to hear from my PCP.
I will keep you posted. Thank you for listening.
Take care
Colleen P

Jump to this post

Hello, everyone, My results have come back.
I am good, No Cancer.
No mammographic evidence of malignancy.
3-D and digitalbreast tomosynthesis were reviewed. BIRAD 1 Negative. Diagnostic bilateral ultrasound, No discrete solid hyper or hypoehoic lesions. No simple or complex cystic lesions. BIRADS 1 - Negative. MRI BREAST EXAM: NO suspicious mass, no retroareolar duct ectasia or intraductal mass, no signs of malignancy, no pathologically enlarged lymph nodes. BIRAD1 - Negative.
I share this very in depth description with you because all my previous mammos for whatever reason were totally different, they range from BIRAD Category 3 hypoechoic nodule, biopsy recommended, BIRAD 3 level of concern, 2017: Bi-Rads category4 suspicious abnormality
2019: Breast parenchyma, BI-RADS 3, benign hypoechoic areas, recommendation follow up in 6 months. Well 4 years passed, i found a radiology center that would do the mammo. 2 films on each breast, ABVS digital ultrasound, and a Breast MRI with contrast. Thank God i have Traditional Medicare and B and AARP supplemental Plan G.
My PCP completed the prescription the previous 3 radiology centers would not perform the MRI inless i already had a cancer diagnosis. I did have to wait 3 days for all the tests to be resd and i did provide the previous CD Roms and reports so the current radiologist could compare everything. The reason i share my story is because the are not good testing protocols in place at the time of initial mammos. Why di women have to fight for these tests. Also too many radiolic pictures are taken. I believe i lost all thyroid function from so many mammos and repeat mammos over the last 25 years. A throat collar and abdomnical x ray belt should alwzys be provided prior to the mammo being conducted. Thank you listening. My prayers go out to everyone, suffering, struggling, frustrated with our healthcare system. Praying for everyone to continue to find the Very Best Physicians to provide you Correct Diagnosis and treatments. GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU
Take care
Colleenp

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