I’m 35 years old, and during my annual physical, the doctor found an abnormality during my breast exam.
The good news: It wasn’t a mass. It was an area where the breast tissue seemed unusually dense. I am currently menstruating, and I know that can affect the density of your breast tissue, so maybe it was just that.
The bad news: My mother died from breast cancer at 55 years old. In addition, her brother contracted and died from a rare form of cancer in his forties, and her mother died of cancer in her sixties, so it would be reasonable to conclude that I am most likely genetically predisposed to developing breast cancer.
My doctor, to her credit, absolutely sprang into action and ordered all kinds of tests for me: a diagnostic mammogram, tomosynthesis/3D mammogram, and a breast ultrasound, all of which I will be getting in two weeks.
It could be nothing. Based on my Googling, only about 10% of diagnostic mammograms find cancer. But my doctor didn’t have that attitude of “It’s probably nothing, but let’s make sure.” Unless I was misreading her body language and tone of voice, my doctor seemed concerned.
Anyways, I just wanted to talk about it since it’s hard to focus on anything else at the moment. I’m not sure how concerned I should be, but I figure I can count on you guys to be honest about whether I’m probably fucked or probably fine.
Also just wanted to have an idea of what I might be getting into. If anyone else has experiences to share of abnormal mammograms or breast cancer treatments, I’d be interested to read your stories.
Given your family history your doctor should be very concerned. That puts you in a different group than the 10% that Google came back with.
What can you do? Stay calm and not get worked up over it. Worrying will not change things and only takes away from your enjoyment of life. Even if it comes back positive I would offer the same advice. Fight it but don’t let it consume your thoughts. Life is too short to spend it worrying.
I got called back for more imaging after a routine mammogram. It was very nerve wracking to wait for the follow-up.
I also once had a red, inflamed, extremely painful lump, which my doctor and I both thought was an abscess, but could also be consistent with inflammatory breast cancer, which is super frightening. I got sent for a mammogram and ultrasound, scheduled for a day or two out. It was excruciating, but the results were OK. (I mean, leave it to cancer to make a painful abscess that has to be drained be good news…)
Anyway, yes waiting is hard. Maybe ask if you can be put on a cancellation list? Two weeks seems like a long time to wait.
I hope the holidays are a pleasant distraction, and I hope all turns out for the best.
Huh, good point. The first place I called didn’t have an appointment until February at any of their three locations, so I scheduled the February appointment, then called a different place and got something scheduled a month earlier so I thought that was good.
But why stop there? The doctor gave me a whole list of radiology centers in the area, so I could call continue calling around.
I have a rough family history of breast cancer. My eldest sister died of breast cancer just 5years ago.
My Mother and all her sisters died of breast cancer. I even have an uncle who has/had breast cancer.
I relate my family history and my doctor goes into overdrive.
I’ve had a cyst or two. Nothing major. I worry every year at mammagram time. So far no real scares.
A side story, my sister who died has 2 young adult girls. They’ve both had full mastectomies.
Right now, you don’t know. This is always unnerving. What you can control right now is scheduling requests as people suggested, and your stress level (easier said than done, I know, but the worry doesn’t change anything for the better). If it isn’t breast cancer, that’s wonderful. If it is, there are several of us here who have been through it and we’ll keep you company and support you. Right now, keep breathing and be glad you have a doctor who isn’t waving it off and saying you’re too young for imaging. Ordering the imaging is the best first step and the results will give you a lot more information.
I’m 56 and have lived with dense breast since I was a young adult. And my sister had breast cancer at 38. She tested negative for the genetic link though. (And she is fine - sporting a lovely pair of reconstructeds). So every mammogram is “don’t be surprised if we call you back - it will probably be nothing, but do take it seriously” So far, only once have I done the diagnostic rigmarole - and it was nothing.
