Suspicious Mammogram - 65 year old woman

jcavanaugh

My mom received a letter in the mail today asking her to come back for a repeat mammogram (potential finding). Not clear enough on the scan. It is on the right breast. This breast was imaged twice because radiologist detected breathing during first take. My mom had a very bad cold during this exam (breathing issues). Very nervous about this. What is the normal procedure? If they felt it was a tumor of some sort for sure, whould they recommend an immediate biopsy or a second image? Any insight would be welcomed. Thanks!

Mich1417

I only know from my mother....she had to go in for a repeat mammo, because they found something suspicious. She first went in for the mammo again, and then when that was also suspicious, she then had a stereotactic biopsy. It ended up fine...just a fibroid. Good luck, I hope all ends that well!

Susan956

Let's hope that it was just a mammogram that looked a little odd. Remember that over 90% of women who have a questionable mammogram ends up with it not being a problem. It is not uncommon for them to do another mammogram and a sonagram to get a better look. If they still think that it is unusual then they can a needle biopsy. It is pretty non invasive, will just leave your Mom a little sore but no worse for wear. Let us know how it turns out. We will all hope and pray that she will not need to join our club... but if she does we will welcome her... and she will do just fine like the rest of us here. Take Care.... God Bless...

(((( Hugs)))))

P.S. Your Mom is lucky to have you for a daughter.

Susan

KathiM

Depending on the repeat mammo findings, you might want to request an MRI....different way of looking at the same thing...

Hugs to a wonderful daughter!!!

Hugs, Kathi

Betsydoglover

This is Betsy from the colorectal message board (Stage IV CRC survivor). Last February I had a breast cancer scare. My routine mammogram came back suggesting additional images / extra compression. I was flipped out even though my oncologist told me this was not that unusual (it had never happened to me before). I went for additional images (and unfortunately DEFINITELY extra compression). The left breast compressed out, but there was still something suspicious showing on the right. Had to wait 4 more agonizing days for an ultrasound - which concluded that "it" was just a cyst. Of course it will be watched from now on, but hopefully your Mom's situation will turn out to be similar. Meanwhile, I know how scared you are - my scare took a couple of weeks out of my life. The "good" news was that I could go back to concentrating on colorectal cancer!

Take care,
Betsy

LynnN

Betsydoglover said:

This is Betsy from the colorectal message board (Stage IV CRC survivor). Last February I had a breast cancer scare. My routine mammogram came back suggesting additional images / extra compression. I was flipped out even though my oncologist told me this was not that unusual (it had never happened to me before). I went for additional images (and unfortunately DEFINITELY extra compression). The left breast compressed out, but there was still something suspicious showing on the right. Had to wait 4 more agonizing days for an ultrasound - which concluded that "it" was just a cyst. Of course it will be watched from now on, but hopefully your Mom's situation will turn out to be similar. Meanwhile, I know how scared you are - my scare took a couple of weeks out of my life. The "good" news was that I could go back to concentrating on colorectal cancer!

Take care,
Betsy

Lynn here...I have never posted so please be patient. I was diagnosed a year ago with Stage 4 colorectal cancer...mets to liver. My operation was Dec.15/05, 6 months of chemo ending Aug.4/06. In many ways I feel like, at this point anyway, I dodged a bullet. I had few side-effects from the chemo and I was able to carry on without too much disruption! I had other problems...lost my job because of an educational requirement that I was unable to fulfill because of treatments...minor derailment...I will soon be back to work.

My problem now...About a month ago I thought I better pay attention to the other "aspects" of my health...OTHER bloodwork, mammogram, etc. Wellll...I got the phone call requesting a follow-up to the mammogram. Long story short...Birads category 4. Do you ever wonder if it is some kind of joke they are playing? I see the specialist Dec.22. I was just getting out of the hospital a year ago only to be re-admitted because of a blockage. I just wanted this Christmas to be stress free...Maybe I am asking too much.

To all the people that are on this board...Your strength has made me strong. Your caring has made me appreciative and your knowledge has given me power.

God bless,

Lynn