Repeat Cancer Fears

peony
peony Member Posts: 306 Member
in Breast Cancer #1

I had my first mammogram since I finished treatment today. The findings were

"Your mammogram shows a finding that we believe is most likely benign"

Somehow, that didn't ease my anxiety. At all. I think we all have a fear of it returning or showing up someplace else. There are women dealing with that very dilema on this site.  I know that it means that they don't see cancer. But they saw something.  They could have checked the box that said, "Your mammogram shows no evidence of cancer"; but they didn't. Just a little seed to keep me from relaxing for a year.

Comments

  • aisling8
    aisling8 Member Posts: 1,627 Member
    #2
    I hear you

    That sentence is not designed to create serenity, is it? I'm wondering, though, are you supposed to just live with that result or will there be further exploration of whatever they've spotted? I hope there is a plan to look into it; otherwise, the thought cycles through your brain.

    I just wanted to acknowledge your post, tell you I wouldn't like it, either, and I'm sending good thoughts you find resolution.

    Keep us posted. You'll be on my mind. 

    xo

    Victoria

  • jessiesmom1
    jessiesmom1 Member Posts: 915 Member
    #3
    1st Post-treatment Mammogram

    First of all, congratulations on finishing treatment. As I well know that is no easy feat. I agree that the wording "most likely benign" is worrisome. To me that is a phrase that merits further inquiry. Those of us who have had cancer need to know to a medical certainty that we either do or do not have cancer. This wishy washy wording simply wouldn't work for me. I most certainly wouldn't wait around for a year for clarification. Please talk to your oncologist about next steps. Seems like a more definitive finding will (hopefully) ease your mind. 

    I wish you the best of luck.

    IRENE

  • button2
    button2 Member Posts: 421
    #4
    I never worry

    I used to be a worry wart and I'm not sure if that didn't help me get cancer! Now I take any questions to my surgeon and she usually puts my mind at ease. I hope you won't really worry for a year because it won't make any difference to your outcome anyway. Give yourself some time to get over all you've been through and definitely ask for second opinions and clarifications whenever necessary. Good luck!

  • Teach76
    Teach76 Member Posts: 351 Member
    #5
    Dx, treat, repeat . . .

    I suppose that if you just finished treatment you can at least be at ease that your body is still on the mend.  We will always be concerned about ANY result.  I think even if we get a NED we might wonder if results were examined  thoroughly.  There comes a time for worry, a time for hope, a time for acceptance, and a time for trust.

        In finishing my own treatment (last radiation in July), I am finding lumps and bumps that I know I did not have before.  While waiting 6 weeks to check anything is stressful, I have to rely on the confidence I put into my team.  They've done this before, I have not.  

     

       Congratulations on finishing; now go celebrate!

    Kathy

  • peony
    peony Member Posts: 306 Member
    edited July 2016 #6


    Thanks for responding ladies.  I least I know -"it's not just me".  After the mammogram I talked with the surgeon's nurse practioner. It seems cancer appears as irregularly shaped cells or cells with blood in them where there shouldn't be and none of that showed in the mammogram.  So it was a good finding, she says.  I was even scheduled for an ultrasound after the mammo, but they decided it wasn't necessary. I had a 3D mammogram.  So, ok. It was a good result.  When I see my MO, I'll talk to her about it.  I won't worry about it. I decided months ago that I would deal with whatever came down Cancer Road with strength, dignity and good humor.  Besides, I've got stuff to do.

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