Okay becasue of RhondaB and NPP's thread about breast cancer, I went and had my first mammogram done.

HOWEVER.....my left breast needs to be redone and they wont tell me the reason. Being a Black woman whoese family has a strong history of cancer I am a little concerned.

The tech also told me I should have been coming in at age 30 not 40 like I did but I was never told this!!!

I have insurance but the wait here is 4-7 months to re-do the test. My boss said she will help me pay out of pocket if I have too to have the test done again.

My question to the ladies is.... has you test ever been abnormal and how did it turn out for you?? I think they need to re-do it to establish a baseline for me, that is what I am hoping for anyways.

rachel3 said:

30 I'm 30!!!

I am gonna think positive thoughts. I am doing a daily hand exam and the nurse practioner called me back.

She said with my family history she will appeal to the insurance company to let me have it done again somewhere else ASAP.

I will keep you informed.

rachel3 said:

rachel3 said:

This is the best thing you can do! I will be thinking of you!

well rachel, I'm glad you're taking charge of your health

positive thoughts for sure, I have been called back for another mammogram and once for another papsmear. In both cases they were just to make sure all was right. No need to stress about a re-test.

Sister-cousin, I'm a mammo tech. Let me tell you what we do here.

Mammo's begin at 40 yrs old with the following exceptions:

1) Clinical findings ie...you have a lump or other symptom.

2) Strong family history of breast cancer ie... if your mother had breast cancer at age 35, you would begin mammo's at age 25.

You go in for a screening exam. The first exam is called your baseline. You have a greater chance for getting called back from this exam as it is being determined what is "normal" for you.

There are 2 types of call backs, technical and diagnostic.

Technical= Factors that make the images unreadable by the Radiologist ie...motion, poor positioning etc

Diagnostic= The Radiologist sees something that requires a closer look. THIS CAN STILL BE BENIGN.

3-4 MONTHS for a callback to a diagnostic exam is excessive.

HOWEVER... Some things are tracked and you may get a 6 month follow up.

More later if you need...I'm at work and a room just opened up.

Love ya sis!!

My Mother had a lumpectomy when she was 26 and pregnant with me. I have also had skin and stomach cancer both first stages treated with surgery and radiation. She and my Father both died from cancer along with my paternal Grandmother and other family members of all ages.

I think the tech is trying to establish a "normal"baseline for me and I was moving around a breathing too during the exam, but SHE was a STRANGER TOUCHING ME!!!!!

rachel3 said:

Of course she was dear, she was your mammo tech and she was performing your mammogram. It's a medical exam, which is invasive of your private space and clothing is not "optional" for it...you have to remove all clothing from the waist up.

When you say "lumpectomy", was she actually diagnosed with breast cancer or did they remove a lump and it was benign?

With your very strong family history of cancer I can see why you worry.

And btw

Yay that Rhondab's and Nekky's threads encouraged you to get your mammo!

Sending positive thoughts

My nurse called back and gave me the number to Kindred Hospital. I called and the nurse read my test over the phone to me, saying that there is a "spot" on the left breast image. She said in person it would be under my left arm when raised up.

She says it could be nothing or even a flaw with the film but I will be going to the hospital on Dec. 12th for another mammogram plus an ultrsound as well. So we will see what happens.

Sending positive vibes your way!!

ladybird i had my first mammo this year.
mom had her cancer at 49 but i wasnt going to wait till 39 for my first
i had had an ultra sound of my tits done in my mid twenties though
she saw a spot but it was fluid. so there is that to consider
not all spots that show up are anything to worry about. the next ultrasound it was gone.

rachel3 said:

I will pray that your test comes out normal. The only abnormality on my mammogram was a cyst in one of my breasts.

I've gone almost every year since I was 28 because of a family history (my sister had breast cancer at 39 and now she has it again). I've skipped a few years and I really should not be so careless. It'll be okay. I'll keep positive thoughts for you. I am actually scheduled for mammo and a sonogram on my girls. I am nervous but you gotta do what you gotta do. Handle your biz, girl.

rachel3 said:

Cousin - you're in my prayers

I can't really relate to any of this, but good luck to you

luv4u said:

Hang in there sweetie! Lots of "spot" end up being harmless.

Sending prayers and loving thoughts your way!

to you all that have been affected

rachel3 said:

hey sweetie, i was searching around in here and came across this thread i know that this has got to be a very scary time for you and im ever so glad that you went in for the test...
just to try and ease your mind a little, i went in for my regular yearly check-up last year... they found a lump in my right breast and my doctor sent me to a surgeon to have it evaluated along with the mammo. i was very scared ~ but, it turned out to be nothing.

i know its hard, but keep getting those check-ups and mammos... take care of yourself, you are important

i'll be waiting to hear how tomorrow's test goes and sending positive energy and prayers your way

Okay 3 mammaograms and 2 ultrasounds yesterday says when the breast in pressed in the flat position there is a half-dollar sized irrgeularity in the 2 o'clock point. On the mammogram ir looks marbled in apprerance but you cant feel it, it is deep in the tissue.

But when the breast is pressed from the side it dosen't show up and dont show up on the ultrasound either.

The Dr. wants me to come back in 6 months for another test, but the tech wants to send it to another Dr. which I gave her the okay. She explained how Black women are prone to fibroids even in the breast tissue but she also explained the different biospy procedurecs in case I have to go that route, which I am not ready for.

I am in slight pain but I am working today. My insuracne is acting a fool and dont want to pay for the tests but I will deal with them later!!!!!

well lady i suppose that's a good thing??
surely if it was a mass it would show up on the side to side and ultrasound?

gentle hugs for your boobs and for you

Okay I just got off the phone with the tech and she has set me up with a consulation for 9.30 a.m. tommorrow with a female Dr. that I know very well.

We are going to discuss moving forward with a biospy. I will let you guys know tommorrow what will be happening.

rachel3 said:

keep me updated woman

yes, please keep us all updated.

Okay I just came from the dr's office. I will be having a lumpectomy On Jan. 10th. I will meet with the radiologist first for ANOTHER mammogram that will be compared with the existing one. Then I will be given local anesthesia for a needle biopsy. The radioligist and surgeon will discuss the findings with me as to where to make the incison since there are possibly 2 areas of the left breast involved now.

1.00 head to surgery for general anesthesia and she says surgery will take 60-90 minutes becasue of the size of the mass, depth and some cutting of the muscle will be involved possibly. She says I should be able to come home that night but we will see. I plan to return to work on Monday if all goes well.

Sending you best wishes