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Special view mammagram and ultrasound

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Breast Cancer
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Posted 8/12/2008 12:48 PM (GMT 0)
I recently had a mammagram,,,which was not done on time because they were backed up because of weather,,I have been called in for a special view mammagram and ultrasound on my left breast,,which I am having to wait for because they are so busy ,,and the waiting is starting to really get to me so I thought maybe asking some questions might help.  In the report it said I have dense breats and that it made it difficult to make sure if what is showing up on the screen is just calcium deposits{I think thats the correct term},,it said they appear to be benign. I spoke to my nurse and she said that they need to take a better look to make sure they are benign. I guess my question is how often does this happen,,how likely is it ,,that it could be cancer?,, I have researhed dense breasts and found that women with them have a 75% more chance of getting cancer,,and that facts like ,,starting your period at an early age,,and not breat feeding add to the chances,,,any help on this subject would be greatly appreciated while I wait to go back.
Posted 8/13/2008 1:32 AM (GMT 0)
On the subject of dense breasts...the younger you are, the more likely the breast tissue will read as "dense," as I understand it. I have never heard that it increases your chances for breast cancer, but I'm not a medical person. Dense breast tissue shows up white on a mammogram, and because breast cancer also shows as a white mass, it is difficult to "find" breast cancers in dense breast tissue on a mammogram. This is why up to 30 percent of all breast cancers are missed on mammograms.

I think the "calcium deposits" you referred to are probably microcalcifications. This shows up as if salt has been sprinkled on the mammogram. Lots of women have them, and they do warrant watching. If the microcalcifications start to show as a cluster in a small area, this can be an indication of breast cancer, but not always.

With dense breast tissue, they probably want to look at a particular area closer, to determine if there is a cluster of microcalcifications, or if there is just a density in the breast tissue.

I had just been diagnosed with two types of invasive breast cancer when I got a letter stating that my mammogram results were normal. And a few years later, I got called back for a "mass" in my remaining breast....waited for weeks for the second appointment, had compression views, and they were normal. No mass, no cancer. Mammograms are not perfect. So my advice would be not to worry too much until you have the next tests done. And we'll be hoping they are normal.

Let us know how it goes!

Hugs...
BEV
Posted 8/15/2008 1:25 PM (GMT 0)
I talked to a person at the radiology place where im having my special view mammagram and she said that the radiologist will look at my mammagram right after I have it and if they find anything,,then I will get my ultrasound right then,,,but if  they dont see anything,,then I will not have to have an ultrasound. Should i insist on an ultrasound if they dont find anything,,just to be on the safe side??
Posted 8/16/2008 1:34 PM (GMT 0)
If they don't see anything they won't know where to use the U/S. I doubt very much that they would do it on your request. They have to justify the cost for insurance. Just be sure to follow up on your next appointment faithfully. Besides you are worrying about something that might not even happen. Let us know what happens. Hugs MK
Posted 8/21/2008 6:01 PM (GMT 0)
I have good news to report. The radiologist had 2 areas on my left breast he wanted to check into more so they compressed and took pictures of those specific areas. It was still hard to see so they did an ultrasound and found a cyst but nothing to worry about and to just come back  in a year. I asked if it was somthing that I needed to keep an eye on but the ultrasound tech told me that it was  just a cyst,,which is a pocket of my own body fluids and nothing to worry about. Thanks for the replies to my questions and the concern. I am still concerned with this cyst and with the articles I have read on women with dense breast having a higher percantage risk of getting breast cancer. If I can find that article I will post it on this web site. Thanks again and I wish everyone here  best wishes and lots of prayers with all their tests and procedures.
Posted 8/22/2008 11:44 AM (GMT 0)
Great news!!! Thanks for coming back to report your good news, we always like to hear it!!! A cyst is not uncommon. They used to aspirate them years ago but now they just let them go. Just be sure to get next year's mammogram and do your self exams. I hope you celebrate your good news with a nice dinner out or something!~ Hugs MK
Posted 2/13/2015 3:36 PM (GMT 0)
I was told that if you have dense breast tissue and family history of breast cancer you should be having an MRI.
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