Is second opinion on mammogram findings needed?

Question

I am 37 and went for my first mamm as I have an indentation on my left breast with puckering below the indentation and a bulging vein. The mamm showed a "very conspicuous nodule 8mm diam. w/spiculated margins" on my left breast. The follow-up mamm showed "only questionable evidence of persistant nodularity." During the ultrasound the radiologist would find it, only to lose it again, so he reported the ultrasound as being normal. He then told me "it's too soon tell - come back in 6 months." No one ever looked at the exterior "symptoms" and both visits seemed rushed with little explanation. Is a second opinion needed, or is it fine to wait 6 months?

Answer 1

Go for another opinion, you have that right and I would not be satisfied with that answer if a doctor told me that, why wait when your life is on the line.

Answer 2

I've had a lot of history with lumps and nodules in my breasts ... I don't think you need another mammogram. I think you need another sonogram. And find someone to do it who can find the nodule and get a good picture of it.

When you're having your sonogram, here are some things to look for that tell you that the lump is just a lump and nothing more. If the lump appears on the screen as a smooth black circle ... that's good. If it shows a white streak or "comet's tail" behind it on the screen ... that's good too. That's how a cyst appears on a sonogram. If it appears cloudy in the middle with no comet's tail behind it, it probably needs further investigation, possibly a biopsy.

As for waiting 6 months ... you should consider whether breast cancer has been an issue in your family or if you have any high-risk factors in your own lifestyle. Don't run screaming into the streets, getting all emotional and panicking over the possibilities. Ask questions, do your research ... and relax.

Also, don't let your doctor rush you ... ever. It's his or her job to put your mind at ease as well as heal your body. Take the time you need to get that done.

Good luck!

Answer 3

My mom had breast cancer. She had a lump removed. I would definantly get a second opinion. The sooner you get control of it the better. Don't stop unless you are satisified. It is never to soon, the earlier you catch it the better off you will be for a treatment. Find a doctor who can take the time for a good exam and who is willing to take the time to explain all your questions. Doctors aren't always rite. The doctor told my mom if she had of waited any longer, her treatment would have had to be more exstent and a long process of kemo. If it is cancer, depending on the kind your bump could grow larger in six months. A few years ago, there was an article on a women who had breast cancer, her doc told her she was fine, she persisted, got opinion, after opinion, until she found a doctor who took her ceriously and did futher exams. She had breast cancer. Find a doc who takes you cerious and does an exam inside and out. Good luck. With the right treatment it is totally cureable...

Answer 4

I wouldn't wait. Get a second opinion. Is the "puckering'-odd non-scientific wording there-that phrase was on the report??!! Is the "puckering " visible without a mammogram? At any case, you deserve a complete and unhurried explanation of the report. I just re-read your question and I have the final advice. If, in fact, this puckering is evident to you on your breast-please do not wait! This can be a sign that cancer is present ! I know this from experience when I was diagnosed with breast cancer-don't mean to scare you but you need another opinion right away!!!

Answer 5

When ultrasound is used, in conjunction with mammogram, and the ultrasound tests were inconclusive (couldn't find it again), you might ask about having an MRI of the breast in question. Sometimes breast tissue in younger women (denser) makes the mammogram harder to read. I had a lump that was felt by my Gyn and myself several years ago (1987), had a mammo and ultrasound which both showed nothing. It went away (possible cyst or time of month). However in 94 a lump appeared in the same spot, 4 months after my regular mammogram and it was malignant! The regular earlier mammogram showed nothing, nor was anything felt on self exam.

Better to be safe than sorry. There may be a problem, however that your insurance won't cover additional testing.

Answer 6

I am in institution too and i've the identical views as you and have also discovered that every one of my pals drink... At the same time you're against drinking for the reason that of your religion and in your opinion, i'd definitely no longer let that stop you from enjoying your tuition expertise. While i do not drink simply since i am a rule follower haha i nonetheless go to events and go out, just when ppl ask if i want a drink i simply say NO haha, i might have to say a few of my quality instances are being around other drunk individuals, and although ppl suppose it's weird that you are not ingesting, possibilities are they aren't going to judge you on it nor are they even going to do not forget haha soo live it up your most effective young as soon as... I also would advise perhaps getting a job. I have made some of my quality friends working and i've found that they are essentially the most like me in my values and they're also a little bit more liable with their lifestyles. And not to mention if you end up asked to go out consuming with ur pals then you definitely have an excuse not to u must work lol... However no worries, whilst it will appear like every body DRINKS you aren't by myself and you are going to get through it :D

Answer 7

The experience seems to have left you questioning the resuts. It is my opinion that you should seek a second opinion. When contacting the second physician, I would explain that you are seeking a second opinion, without telling them the results of the first examination.

If the two opinions are in conflict, I would then go to a third physician. This time bringing records of the first two examinations. The reason for not telling doctor #2 the results is to seek a clearly independent examination and opinion. I would tell doctor #3 of both results as to be able to ascertain possible errors in opinons #1 or #2.

Consider a teaching hospital for opinion #2 or #3.

Answer 8

There can be several reasons for nodules on the breast that are non malignant, but taking your age into consideration and not knowing your obstertric or gyneacological history I have to say that you need to have a high index of suspicion in regard to any breast abnormalities. Fat necrosis in the breast with blunt trauma can be mistaken for breast carcinoma so can fibrotic change due to hormonal factors, I would therefore suggest that you definitely go for a second opinion to rule out any chance of mistaking the benign for the malignant.

Answer 9

Yes I have seen reports on mammography that was examined by one individual who found nothing and then another individual spotted a cancer. For all the pain and procedures involved sometimes mammography misses cancers entirely. There need to be other measures done daily by the individual themselves in order to find anything unusual that could be a cancer. Self examination is a secondary procedure that everyone should become familiar with and that the medical field should start to give more education to everyone.

Answer 10

My wife waited for another 6 mos only then the doc or the test was confirmed, has grown a little so she had it removed and it was benign.
Every 6 mos. my wife goes back for his mammo.
Though at that time I was skeptical and wanted a second opinion, yet I thought this docs specialized in that field and so they must have the authority to read the test results rightly most of the times.

Answer 11

Please always have a second opinion. Not only on the mammo, but also on the treatment plan. Go to a specialized hospital. Do not stay in your regional, local hospital.
Since you are still young, your breast tissue is dense, just like cancer tissue. Always get a biopt done to be sure. Don't be vain or slack, but act upon your worry and take care of yourself. The sooner you get to it, the greater your chance of recovery will be. Take good care of yourself! Will be crossing my fingers for you!