Mammogram shows something - now what?
http://www.summitmedicalgroup.com/service/Breast-Health-Center/
algebra2 said:
I love my breast surgeon/doc (is that weird). She is in the city and is great. Don't panic about it - BUT with the next stage mammo I had some issues with (I was super stressed - not about mammo - other life stuff - and I passed out during the mammo - the technician was surprised I didn't get me boob ripped off).
http://www.slrsurgery.org/breast_surgery/dr_sharon_rosenbaum_smith.aspx
Now THAT is a great cocktail party story!! I am trying to picture it in my head, and giggling! I hope all of the stress that led to that has since resolved.
callista said:
algebra2 said:
I love my breast surgeon/doc (is that weird). She is in the city and is great. Don't panic about it - BUT with the next stage mammo I had some issues with (I was super stressed - not about mammo - other life stuff - and I passed out during the mammo - the technician was surprised I didn't get me boob ripped off).
http://www.slrsurgery.org/breast_surgery/dr_sharon_rosenbaum_smith.aspx
Now THAT is a great cocktail party story!! I am trying to picture it in my head, and giggling! I hope all of the stress that led to that has since resolved.
Believe it or not, the same thing happened to me -- not stress-related, though. Passing out mid-mammo was how I found out I had giardiasis.
She is kind and caring and a great surgeon. Try to relax - you should be just fine. Great that you stay on top of things. You are your own best friend. That is how I found my cervical cancer and malignant melanoma in 1992. By knowing my own body.
I am pretty sure that is used by the Montclair Breast Center. I really don't know that much about it other than what their literature says. I think some think that the cost is too high, and not necessarily that much better. I think MBC like to be on the cutting edge. I, personally, do not know what to think about it.
algebra2 said:
I love my breast surgeon/doc (is that weird).
LOL! I can relate...my breast surgeon is awesome too. She lives in Maplewood and we keep running into each other around town!
To update everyone: I ended up Montclair Breast Center. They could get me in significantly sooner (by weeks) and were easier to deal with as far as figuring out the next steps. It is more expensive, but I have a bit of out of network coverage and a flex spending plan that made going there accessible and worth it for the peace of mind.
They were just awesome and so kind. They're 80% sure the calcifications are benign, but can't be certain by just looking so they're going to needle biopsy next week. Even if it turns out they're not benign, they are early enough that they are still precancerous. That's still not ideal and something to be dealt with, but it makes me very thankful I went in before I turned 40 to catch it at this stage.
Glad that you have already had a follow up and sending positive thoughts for a biopsy that shows nothing to worry about.
They are kind and always timely so that anxiety is lessened ...holding hands and
education is part of how they operate .
Continued good luck with the next steps ..
So... went for the baseline... very dense breasts. Went back for the ultrasound & additional imaging... and the tech and radiologist struggled to see anything even in the U/S. They kinda saw something they want to biopsy - and indicated that 80% of these are benign.
I'd like a second opinion for someone to look at the images (as some patterns of calcification tend to be benign, and I play a few sports, so could be from an injury). Maybe I should just go for the biopsy... But there's no history in my family, and my mom is still mad about the biopsy she had done a few years ago after she tried to tell the doctor it was likely related to a recent car accident where the seatbelt bruised her.
Any suggestions for a breast doc to go to for a second opinion?
eelvb said:
Check out the Summit Medical Group Breast Center. They are excellent.
http://www.summitmedicalgroup.com/service/Breast-Health-Center/
Sprout,
I also like SMG Breast Center, though I didn't have your specific issue to cope with (it's maddening, isn't it?). I'm sorry you have to worry about it.
Wherever you go, I wonder if MRI or 3-D imaging is possible for follow-up in lieu of biopsy. (I don't know, but would ask).
Had this happen a few months ago. Mammo, repeat mammo and then MRI. It was nothing. I think it's nothing 9 X out of 10 if that makes you feel better. Used summit med group for all and saw breast specialist dr losner who was excellent
I think follow up of MRI vs biopsy depends on what they see. Mine was more a "somethings a bit inconclusive" I think if there is more definitively something there but they don't know what it is, it has to be biopsy.
*Sigh*.
I just read the internets, and it seems those with the highest densities have higher probabilities of developing breast cancer, AND it's hardest to detect. I'll probably do the biopsy for piece of mind.
But I wonder if I can opt out of the titanium biopsy marker clip. It seems it's not rare for it to move, and I know my body rejects/is allergic to various things that no one else seems to be bothered by.
Good luck and good wishes to you. I went through something quite similar 9 years ago and was so scared but the biopsy showed nothing and I have been having sonograms for the dense breasts since. New doc recommended the 3D mammograms at St. Barnabas, through Summit Medical Group, so I will be doing those next year. Statistically the odds are good, it sounds like, and it might be worth the peace of mind to find out all your doctor wants you to know. sending best wishes to you!
I had a similar issue last year and went to the breast group at Summit Medical Group in Berkeley Hts. While everyone was nice and the medical care was great, they recommended a biopsy despite a 95% chance of being benign (no cancer in my entire family, I breastfed, etc.). My hubby was too worried to let it go so I had one. Like your mom I am still angry that I let myself get talked into it!
So while I would recommend SMG for their medical acumen and care, I would go with your gut as to whether to have a biopsy. You can wait 6 months and have another mammogram done and if anything changes THEN have the procedure.
Good luck!
I'll agree although mine was just an MRI that I was slightly annoyed I got talked into it too. It wasn't necessary and cost me $2000 plus a lot of stress. But if you don't go and it turns out you are in the 5%, you'll have much different regrets. Good luck
Thanks all! Very helpful to know that SMG has (or refers for?) 3D imaging. (The Google indicates that 3D is more informative for high density). I went to Overlook - Simon Breast Center. Everyone was nice as pie, but images seemed to be 2-D only.
I'll talk to my primary doc about a second opinion, and see if SMG is an option. I really felt like the Overlook folks were struggling to see anything at all... So if somewhere else can get a better picture, or perhaps someone who is more familiar with reading films of such densities, that would seem to be my best bet going forward.
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http://www.slrsurgery.org/breast_surgery/dr_sharon_rosenbaum_smith.aspx