Mammogram

[Wookie]

Not being a women, or a doctor, or like to talk to women about these things I've decided to come to CP for counsel.

Someone I know, late 50's just had one of these done and it returned an approx. 1 cm "thing" so a ultrasound was requested.

The ultrasound showed something, but . . not sure really what. Doctor said he'd consult with another doctor, and send report to the original GP. May want to get a biopsy pending the report.

How serious is this? I think women have a lot of these things going on, and they aren't really that serious until the biopsy says its serious.

Anyone have info/experiences/numbers?

Thanks

[Old Yeller]

I just had experience with this with someone in my family. It was ridiculously nerve wracking and you always expect the worst.

In the end it ended up being just a mole - which is really the best case scenario, but it still wasn't a fun few days to go through.

[Suzles]

After a mammogram 8 years ago I was sent to the Royal Marsden Hospital (the best cancer hospital) in the UK. After six appointments (lots of manhandling, poking and prodding, scans and a biopsy) I was told I had a fibroadenoma - which is a benign tumour. It will still grow and may have to be removed in the future. A lot of 'lumps' turn out to be just this. I was told I would receive a higher level of cancer screening as a result - which reminds me I have done nothing about this since coming to Canada. You can't tell your friend not to worry as she will. Doctors can sometimes have a very dismissive attitude towards this (in my experience). But just be as supportive as you can - chocolate helps. Let us know how she gets on.

[tete]

I had one done when I was 18 or 19 years old - turned out to be just dense tissue. It was pretty nerve-wracking waiting for the results. I hope that everything is okay with your friend.

[bigtmac19]

Just went through this with a friend as well. She had the biopsy, it took about a week to get the results turned out to be a benign cyst. This is quite common, and I know your friend will worry regardless, but quite often these turn out to be nothing to worry about.

The majority of people I know that have had to get a biopsy have it come back as benign (includes my mother).

But on the flip-side, my grandmother developed breast cancer and had a masectomy done. They didn't get it all and it traveled to her brain and the doctors eventually had to take her eye out. She passed away a year after. During that year, she was in so much pain she was on all kind of pain killers (that didn't really help) and my aunt even got her to try smoking some pot to help (it didn't either). It was pretty ugly.

Anyways: It could go either way (but most likely it will be treatable), so you have to stay positive (for yourself and your friend)
All the best for both of you.

[Kipper is King]

My mom is a breast cancer survivor. A couple years after she beat cancer, a mass showed up on a mammogram. It turned out to just be scar tissue from her previous surgery. Many times, it isn't cancer, but it is always better safe than sorry.

I hope for the best for who you know. Heaven forbid, if it is cancer, know that it is beatable.

[Peanut]

It is very nerve-wracking as unfortunately breast cancer is so common (I actually just posted this stat the other day... 1 in 9 women will be affected). I did the Weekend to End Breast Cancer in 2007 and 2008 - it is so inspiring to see all the survivors (LOTS!!) and the people out walking to try and help beat this disease.

Anyways, the good news in your friend's case is they've at least found something (better than not finding it at all) and now they're taking the steps to identify what it is and get her started with treatment if necessary or perhaps just a more stringent monitoring program for her in the future.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you and your friend and I really hope everything works out okay!!!!

[notoepik]

I had the same experience last year. After the Mammogram I was called back for an ultrasound. The ultrasound was inconclusive so I was scheduled for a biopsy. The waiting around for the sequence of events and results is the hardest part. This time I though had a benign tumor. That is the result most of the time.

[annasuave]

Most often than not, a "thing" or "cause for concern" on a mammogram is just that - something that warrants a second look to be sure it isn't serious.

A mammogram is a relatively crude tool - it's limited to detecting masses of tissue. Could be cysts, could be scars, could be tumours (and not all tumour are cancerous). Could just be plain ole "lumpy breasts".

The radiologist or physician will usually want to have another look to rule out more serious conditions. An ultrasound gives a better (but still not precise) picture, and a bioposy can identify for certain the nature of the tissue.

1 cm is a large mass, and generally speaking, few cancers grow that fast.
(Assuming your friend gets yearly mammograms).

In short, its far more likely to NOT be cancer.

Getting called in for a second mammogram, an ultrasound or a biopsy is an alarming thing for a woman, no matter how many people tell her its likely nothing or that the doctors just want a closer look. In the back of our minds, we all know it could be cancer, and that's a frightening thing think about.

The most useful advice I could offer is, do what you can to help your friend take her mind off it. Try to help her stay off the net researching the results, the tests, cancers, and latest advancements in cancer treatment. In my experience it only fuels the sense of fear and doesn't provide relevant information anyway.

Hoping that this turns out to be a whole lot of nothing for your friend.

[chid]

Most of the time it IS a whole lot of nothing, its better to be safe than sorry and get a mammogram no matter how young. My good friend is 23 and is still battling breast cancer after being diagnosed a year ago and having a breast removed, she now has to get the other removed and is in the process of skin stretching for implants.