<p>I know it’s a waste of time to be such a nervous wreck. I have to go get an ultrasound and another scan because of some increase in calcifications seen on a 3d mammo. I’m under 50 and it was found on a routine yearly mammo. My internal medicine dr says women under 50 shouldn’t even get them because of all of this that scares most women. I see a gyn oncologist (I don’t have cancer) and am getting a small procedure done also because of an annual exam. (darn these annual exams!) They obviously see way more grim cases so they can’t really be all that reassuring.</p>
<p>Everyone is trying to tell me not to worry until I know I have something to worry about and “most” of the time it’s nothing - in fact 80% of the time. However, the nurse at the gyn onc office said - if they can’t get a clear view, don’t freak out if you have to get a biopsy. Which naturally made me freak out. </p>
<p>We get a pretty diverse, been there done there crowd here. Any of you have calcifications?</p>
<p>My twin has calcifications. I do not. But on my 3D mammogram last year they could clearly see a tumor. My sister had a 3D also, and had a biopsy the year before. If they think it’s an increase in calcifications it probably is. My 1 cm tumor was easy to see on 3D. I agree that it’s almost impossible not to worry, but your chances, statistically, are good that it’s probably just that, an increase i calcifications. I’ve been reading much about under 50 routine mammograms causing undo worry and unnecessary procedures. I’ll vouch for the 3D, though. My surgeon said my tumor has probably been growing for 10 years. Glad I had the 3D, the regular mammogram may have continued to miss it. For the record, I was about to turn 59 when I had it.</p>
<p>I always have mammo and an ultrasound. Lumpy breasts- isn’t that a lovely term. I have also had a biopsy. I now try to have the mammogram done in the morning when the radiologist is there so that I don’t have as much time to worry. I hate call backs. They are nerve wrecking. Deep breathes now. As everyone is telling you, you are probably fine and we here at cc will be pulling for you.</p>
<p>Oh my goodness yes. I was in mammogram hell this year. First calcification in the left breast, come back in six months. When they were still there they took an ultrasound, and then a biopsy with ultrasound (which was up in the top ten of worst experiences in my life - don’t do this if your breast are too small). After the biopsy they decided even though nothing showed cancer it should still be removed, but first I should get an MRI which showed something suspicious on the other breast. Then I think we had another mammogram and when I went in for an MRI biopsy they couldn’t find anything. So I ended up just having surgery on the left breast. They want me to come back in six months, but I think I’ve had about three years worth of radiation. </p>
<p>I have dense breasts that used to be lumpy - I had my first biopsy in college - but now they just seem to be dense. I have to admit I just assume it’s going to be nothing at this point. I wish I could assume the same thing about everything that appears on my skin, but unfortunately, they always turn out to be cancer.</p>
<p>Anyway, good luck whatever advice you end up getting. I personally think doctors are overly cautious, but unfortunately I’m married to Mr. Cautious who works on breast cancer so I generally take his advice.</p>
<p>I had one years ago, before I was even forty. I got the ominous call back card in the mail, then a phone call when I didn’t immediately schedule a follow up. Family history of breast cancer, so of course I was scared. It was nothing. After that call back, I always told the technician that I had dense, hard to scan breasts and would likely need a follow up. They would then automatically give me an ultrasound on the initial visit. </p>
<p>Another here having had just about every diagnostic test done… extra mammograms, ultrasounds, and even an MRI. Have also had fine needle biopsies, as well as a biopsy with a small incision. For some reason, I don’t ever worry so much about the outcome; it’s just more of a nuisance to get the stuff done. But I do it because there is a cluster of breast cancer on my mom’s side of the family (several female first cousins). I’ve actually lost count of which doctor has told me to come back when; however, they always send out a notice to me when I’m due, so I really don’t have to remember. If I look, I probably already have some follow up appointments scheduled for next year that I’ve forgotten about. </p>
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Is that the same as fibrocystic breast disease? That’s what I have.</p>
<p>Thought I’d update in case anyone down the line searches this thread. I went today, tech said no ultrasound because that doesn’t really help with calcifications. I just had to redo one side and they just said to come back in 6 months. Phew. It sure is scary at the time, but from all my research - 10% of women get called back. From that group only 10% will need a biopsy and from that group only 10% will end up having cancer. So it’s something like 5 out of 1000 women will end up having some kind of cancer dx from a mammogram. I certainly wasted a lot of time and energy worrying.</p>