I'm gonna try to just keep this short and give as much info as i can. I was diagnosed with sage 1b1 cc in November of 2008. I began treatment in late January of 2009. I did the chem and radiation. I finished treatment in April. I have had two clean paps since April. I was sitting in here one day last month, breast cancer month, and thought "well, I just turned 40, have had cervical cancer, I'll call and schedule a mammogram." So I did. I do my month self exams, had a PET scan in December of 2008. I went in had the left breast done first. The girl doing the exam stops and says "we may have to have you come in for some addition pictures and maybe an ultrasound because this is your first exam and we don't have anything to compare it to". She was saying it like it was no big deal. She then did the right breast. I get dressed, she was walking me back to the lobby and told me that I should receive a letter in about 10 days. I thought, ok no big deal. I got a call a few days later telling me that they needed additional films and an ultrasound. Okay, scheduled it for Monday. I got a letter in the mail on Wednesday. The letter says "your screening mammogram shows the need for further evaluation. We would like you to have a left breast diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound. So here is my puzzle: If its normal to do additional films since its your first one, then why did the tech only mention it AFTER she did the left breast? Also, has anyone ever heard of cervical cancer recurrance in the breast? I have tried to find something online about it and cant. My mom keeps telling me don't freak out breast cancer doesn't run in our family..well okay, but ovarian, uterine, and colon cancers do. Anyone got any answers that might but my mind at ease!
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what now! need some help girls!
- By crickett305
- Posted November 6, 2009 at 4:20 pm · 13 replies
- In Cervical cancer stages and treatment
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- By peachmarie
- Posted November 6, 2009 at 4:42 pm
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hey crickett- It's possible that she did feel something, but I have to tell you, when I've had mine done, they really go overboard. I think it's because mammograms are notorious for not picking everything up, so they really delve into every little abnormality. Last year I had three mammos done and two ultrasounds over the course of a month and also saw a breast surgeon. All for nothing, everything was fine - I just have fibrocystic breasts - which are very dense and therefore make mammos harder to read. This year, again, I only had one mammo, but they called me back into the room three times to keep taking more images and then did an ultrasound (and this was on the other breast this time!). Again, nothing. So I'm not saying it's nothing, because there could be a reason they want you back, but don't lose sleep over it. They could just be being overcautious, or you could have dense breast tissue. That's pretty much also what they mean when they say they have nothing to compare it to. Everyone's breasts are different. If they saw something on this year's that they didn't see on last year's, that helps them out. Next year may be easier because you'll have this baseline. The radiologist likes to use comparison.
Good luck!! I hope everything turns out all right! and don't worry until you have something to worry about, because all may be perfectly fine.
- By flowershoplady
- Posted November 6, 2009 at 7:40 pm
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hi, crickett. sorry to hear you're feeling anxious about this...here you're trying to be 'good' and get checkups and then they find 'something'. most somethings found in our breasts are benign. especially since you're young, your breasts may be dense which makes them more difficult to see/analyze, and you may have fibrocystic breasts....all very common....but things the doctors want to check carefully. i found out that i have a lymph node in my breast where it shouldn't 'normally' be.....but i had to have an ultrasound to find out what the 'something' was! hang in there....and will be thinking of you with your next exam.
- By Dragonfly23
- Posted November 7, 2009 at 1:15 pm
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Being an RN and having been a practice administrator for a large radiology group for ten years the scenario you describe is quite normal.
Unfortunately, a radiologist is not always present to review your films at the time they are taken and they get read later that day or the next day. Having no comparisons and the need for further films or an US is not unusual either so I wouldn't get too upset about it. The tech cannot diagnose though they are usually familiar with issues of dense breasts which make it more difficult to detect breast cancer. This is probably why she mentioned you may need more films.
It would be nice if the radiologist had been there to review the films at the time of your visit. Perhaps for your next visit you may want to call ahead and ask if the radiologist will be there. I always found it quite inconvenient for the patient to have to come back but sometimes this is the way things happen due to scheduling.
- By azmom76
- Posted November 7, 2009 at 1:15 pm
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Hi Crickett I could see the reason for your concern. I must say after having one diagnosis lifes perspectives change. I just got through having a lump researched. I had a total of 1 mammo with 2 f/u ultrasounds. My results were it was a fibro cyst that was not malignant. They did nothing and say it's better to not remove it because that will cause scaring and will make it harder to see if in the future something does delvelop. With that big scare I scheduled my pap. I have them every 2-3 years but let it go a year past due because I live in a new area and had to find a new gyn.. I got my results back with HSIL and most likely i have mod/ sevr dysplasia. What are the odds of that? I am trying to keep a positive attitde and at least whatever it is I have will be treated. Same way I would encourage you take this. Try not to stress and know that 2-3 images is better then 1. I hope your outcome is good and will be thinking of you.
- By hopeandprayers
- Posted November 8, 2009 at 12:02 am
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Dear Cricket 305, I come from a family where my mother and her two sisters' have had breast cancer. My mother and aunt are 10 yr. survivors. My aunt Joan was not as fortunate and had breast cancer in several lymph nodes and it spread to her bones and liver. She lived a pretty much healthy life for 4 yrs. until two months prior to her death. Anyways, they gave me the option to take Tamoxifen for 5 yrs. because of the family history. I was 38 yrs. old at the time. You can only take the drug for five yrs. I haven't taken anything yet, but know that I am at high risk for breast cancer. I know when they test me they always look at my previous mammograms, which you haven't had, for any changes. My breasts both have dense fibrous tissue which makes it difficult to determine if their are any masses or tumors. I wouldn't stress to much, just know that many women have breast tissue that is difficult to detect any abnormalities. Be thankful that you have a dr. who is up to date on testing and can give you all the information you need to be sure everything is normal.
I know how scary it is. I go for my yearly mammogram in two weeks! Both my hubby and I feel my boobies for lumps. I think he enjoys it much more than I do!
Best Wishes to you!
- By Nurkao
- Posted November 8, 2009 at 9:54 am
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Cricket 305. I really can't tell you if what they want you to go through is normal or not since I had my first mammogram when I was about 35 years old & I am 59 now. My Mom had breast cancer twice but they were very local & she did not pass away because of breast cancer.
At that time they only gave me a mammogram but I have never had dense breasts. But it sounds like they really want to get a good base to determine subsequent mammograms. I would think this is a good thing.
I know one time, they called me back in to have second mammogram of one of breast because they were concerned & it didn't show anything.
Keep us posted. You will be in my thoughts & prayers.
- By sungbung
- Posted November 8, 2009 at 8:18 pm
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Dear Cricket 305,
I will pray to God and Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit to make you well, healthy, and whole, and that you do not have any illness or sickness of any kind. God will protect you.
- By cwt5770
- Posted November 8, 2009 at 10:17 pm
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I never had a mammogram, but I'm thinking if they thought it was really serious, wouldn't they notify you by phone instead of through the mail?
I'm not saying you should put it off for too long, but it sounds like the clinic isn't rushing you in because they found something major.
Perhaps you have a cyst or just naturally lumpy boobs that are harder to evaluate? I heard these situations are quite common.
- By crickett305
- Posted November 9, 2009 at 7:48 am
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Thanks for all the responses. It has really put my mind at ease. I go in this morning at 9 for all the follow up exams. I will let everyone know how it goes.
- By flowershoplady
- Posted November 9, 2009 at 9:14 am
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Will be thinking of you today, Crickett, and sending positive thoughts your way!
- By missnicelady
- Posted November 9, 2009 at 11:17 am
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Sometimes doctors just want to be extra sure. Many women (especially those with dense breasts-myself included) have even had biopsies / needle biopsies on top of the extra tests. Does not mean you have cancer. They just want to make sure they don't miss anything. Luckily the extra tests are relatively painless. Try and take it one step at a time. Bring some light reading to your appointments to help distract you while you wait. My thoughts are with you.
- By crickett305
- Posted November 9, 2009 at 4:10 pm
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Well ladies...good news. I had the mammogram and the ultrasound. They thing what they are seeing is a left over bruise that was just deep into the tissue. I am a dog groomer and a few weeks ago a big boxer jumped up on me to say good morning. When he did, he hit me a little hard on the left breast. lol...typical male! Anyway, they said to come back in 6 months to redo the test just to make sure. I told them 6 months wasnt an option. I am not waiting 6 months, I refuse. I have been through cancer and I am not waiting. The dr. and I talked and we agreed to 4 weeks. I was wanting the biopsy today, just to be on the safe side. The dr. was very understanding of my fears. He said if it is still there in 4 weeks, then we will do the biopsy. Once again, thanks for all advise. It kept me calm through the weekend!
- By flowershoplady
- Posted November 9, 2009 at 7:46 pm
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crickett, glad to hear the good news. sorry that dog was overzealous...yep, typical male. ;) i hope all is healed at your next visit.
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