Silly questiion????

CR1954

Does breast cancer EVER "shrink" of its own accord? Get smaller, without any kind of treatment?
I have a friend whose son is retired from the military. His wife had something show up on mammogram a couple of months ago, and both doctors (VA) told her that it looked highly suspicious and that there was a good chance that it was bc.
However, they did not biopsy at the time. They told her to come back in a month for another mammogram instead.
She just went for the second mammogram, and they said that the suspicious mass had "shrunk" a bit. So they told her that no further tests would be necessary. They felt that if it had gotten smaller to any degree, that it could not be cancer.
Meanwhile, her family is upset that they refused to biopsy whatever it is.

So....would cancer get smaller on its own? Because I don't know the answer. But if it's possible that it does, I am going to tell my friend to have her see an "outside" doctor, instead of one provided by the military.

Thanks,

CR

taleena

CR... I find it crazy that
CR... I find it crazy that any mass (regardless as to wether or not it shrunk).. that appeard suspisious... would not be biopsied... Personally I have never heard of it, but it doesn't mean that it can't or doesn't happen... How many crazy unsuspecting things happen every day.. Years ago.. (after my Katrina was born) they found a huge mass on my cervix... they biopsied it and it came back precancerious... (still can't figure out that word).. On the exam prior to the scheduled hysterectomy the mass was "gone".. not kidding.. medically documented in the records... true story.. so anything is possible.. I still have my baby carriage... even though since then, it's really just a play pen...lol

Keeping my fingers crossed for your friends daughter in law..

~T

Kat11

If your friend does not feel
If your friend does not feel she is getting proper care from the VA, she should see Patient advocate service. I am sure they can be of help. My husband gets really good care at our VA hospital,however some things you just have to go outside the VA with.

CR1954

Kat11 said:

If your friend does not feel
If your friend does not feel she is getting proper care from the VA, she should see Patient advocate service. I am sure they can be of help. My husband gets really good care at our VA hospital,however some things you just have to go outside the VA with.

Thanks Kat.......
She has another appt. on the 26th and her husband is insisting on going with her and "demanding" that more tests be done.
I know absolutely nothing about how things are done with VA, so maybe he can at least get them to biopsy it.

CR

mgm42

Don't trust VA
I'm really sorry to say that I don't trust the VA. I understand that they "seem" to be doing a great job for our returning vets. However, over the years, I've heard too many horror stories about overworked, understaffed, and overcrowded VA facilities and as a result people being misdiagnosed. Your friend is right to go back and demand some bonafide answers. I hope all goes well for your friend. Hugs, Marilynn

CR1954

Thanks Marilynn........
They are so scared & asked me if cancer will get smaller on its own. I said I don't know, but anything out of the ordinary should be more thoroughly checked.
They even told her at first mammogram that it looked like it was a malignancy.
So I think they should get it biopsied somehow.

CR

lynn1950

Advocate Advocate Advocate
I don't know about shrinking masses, but I don't think any mass is anything not to be 199% sure about. Someone above has already mentioned getting a patient advocate and I agree. I only wish I had been more assertive three years ago. Lynn