Breast Ultrasound
 

Have any of the women here had experience with this procedure? I went in for a mammogram last week, and the results caused the dotor enough concern that he scheduled me to go back for an ultrasound exam on both breasts. Needless to say, I am a little freaked over this since I had two aunts who died of breast cancer. Does anyone know that if they want to do ultrasounds, it means something is likely to be wrong, or is just as likely to be something benign? My doctor is really busy and I haven't been able to talk with him about my questions yet. The input of anyone who has gone through this procedure would be most welcome.

:(

I could say something crude , BUT I will restrain my self .

Best of luck .

I don't know a damn thing about it, but I do know that I wish you the best, and urge you to continue the course of diagnosis with all due haste. However, don't worry until there's something to worry about. Breast exams yield lots and lots of anomalies, and most do not result in a diagnosis of cancer. Being thorough is the key to accuracy, diagnosis and remediation.

I have heard that ultrasounds are way more effective in detecting early breast cancer than mammograms, but since it is more expensive the insurance companies won't cover it as the first stop. (I am refraining from my usual rant about insurance and medicaid covering viagra...and they don't test for testicular cancer by smashing a guys balls flat in a machine.)

My mother is a long time breast cancer survivor, thanks to early detection, and only needed a lumpectomy.

My guess is that your docs saw something slightly irregular and want to be sure, which means even if there is anything...it's way early.

I hope you find out soon, and I hope you take peace in knowing that it will most likely be benign. Better to be sure. Please keep us informed.

Thanks everyone, especially Shawnee for her encouraging explanation. I should have the results by a week or so from today, I'm going to try to think positive thoughts until then.

It is not uncommon to have a second test done. My family has a history, so a lot of tests are done.
Again, it is not uncommon and nothing to worry about. Just wait for the tests and results, nothing can be done until then, getting yourself stressed only harms you. If he really thought something needed to be looked at very closely, they usually say something or would do a second test in conjunction with some blood tests/biopsy.
Mammograms are not the clearest tests in the world, nothing like a CT... it could just be a shadow he wants to look at. The tissue in your breast is not always completely consistent. There are glands, spaces between fatty layers, etc. Just wait and see.

Good luck Mari. I hope everything works out well.

BTW, why is Mari showing up as banned again? Did something happen over the weekend?

Nah...LJ just gave her a new user title at her request.

Yeah, I was hoping he'd come up with some cool, creative insult, but "banned" was all he could think of. ;)

And Rkzenrage, thanks for the reassuring words. I have a good Doc who likes to be very thorough - not a bad thing. I'm sure he's just making absolutely certain nothing is wrong and the tests will come out fine. That's what I'm thinking until told otherwise.

Good to hear. Best way to look at it IMO. I have a good sized lump in my side that hurts quite a bit and I am am waiting for the next round of tests and am going to work a little harder to do that myself. The CT was inconclusive.

It was the last user title he remembered.

I hope all goes well for you, medically.

Me too. Good luck.

Update: They found one very small lump in my left breast. The nodule or lump or whatever, is too small for the Doc's to be sure what it is. They told me to come back in 6 months for a second test to see if the lump has gotten larger. If so, they'll do a biopsy, and if the thing is malignigent, they'll probably just be able to remove it with a lumpectomy, and I'll be fine. So, even if it is cancer, it was caught at a very early, treatable stage. I hope every female Dweller who may read this goes in for a yearly mammogram. It could save your life! I am feeling very relieved, needless to say.

I am very glad!
Mine is a cyst, may be sarcoma (tumor), but we have to wait and see as well.

I'm just messing with you when I say "told you so...nah nah nah!" :D

I'm so glad, Mari.

Rkz, sending my powers your way as well. :p