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Wednesday, October 01, 2008 kim asks

Q: had a second mammogram that shows probably benign lesion. Who do I follow up with now?

I originally had a baseline mammogram 6 months ago that required a second test in 6 months.  I just had that one done and the results showed what they are calling probably benign area.  I don't like the sound of that  and want to see someone or have some other test to make sure it isn't something.  My dr. wants me to wait another 6 months for another mammogram.  I am not comfortable with that at all.  What should be my next step?  What kind of Dr. do I call? What kind of test could be done next?

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Answers (3)
PJ Hamel, Health Guide
10/ 1/08 9:52pm

Kim, I don't blame you for wanting some answers NOW, not in 6 months. You should ask for a biopsy of the area in question. This would be done by a radiologist, though you'd have to be referred by another doctor, I believe. I think you'll have to advocate for yourself with your PCP; tell him you don't want to wait, you feel too stressed. surely he wouldn't want you to go through 6 months of stress... Good luck -PJH

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10/ 2/08 7:39am

Hi Kim,.. I don't know if you have had an ultrasound, that would be my next step..you can usually get the drs. to order that ..not an expensive test.  MRI would be great.. but frequently hard for doctors to get insurance approval...See if it shows up on other tests, and if it needs to be biopsied the best way to get to it.  good luck.. lia  ..if you have dense breasts an ultrasound would be great

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5/22/10 10:05pm

Hi,

I just had basically the same thing. Except I already had Breast Cancer. My Dr., whom I consider a bit arrogant, said, I " could have my yearly MRI a couple months early , so I could sleep at night". He thinks I didn't need one at all, although I was having some strangew symtoms. I had finshed chemo 2 months ago, and was 5 weeks into a 7 week Radiation course. I can see his reasoning for thinking it can't be cancer, but no need to treat me like that when I had legitimate complaints, and going into chemo, had 13 positive Lymph Nodes outside the local area. So I did teh MRI and got back a Form Letter saying simply "Your recent breast imaging examination showed an area thatis probably benign. However, you should have a follow-up study of your breast(s) on or around six months from now.".....WHAT???   A cancer patient gets a Form Letter, when something obviously showed up?  Yes, it most likely is benign, but no way am I waiting 6 months, and he should have called me. It doesn't even say which breast!  So I am going to insist I have an Ultra Sound before a Biopsy. I find those very helpful and much less invasive. Hope this helped!

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By kim— Last Modified: 05/26/11, First Published: 10/01/08