Hi, I had an appointment at the breast clinic today after being referred on the 2ww pathway. The Dr could feel a lump & thickening and the first mammogram showed calcifications in 2 clusters. They did a 2nd mammogram more magnified. After this was an ultrasound where they said there were ‘distortions’ in the appearance of the breast tissue and with 3 core biopsies taken followed by a 3rd mammogram to check the clip was correctly placed. I saw the Dr after and she said she couldn’t say whether it was cancer or not. She said “there’s something there, it’s not what we’d expect to see but I don’t know if it’s cancer”. She said she was very on the fence. I have an appointment for the 16th for the results and I’m meant to be away with work. The Dr said “you need to cancel that” and was quite insistent which has bothered me.
I’m 43.
Has anyone else had a lump or thickening with calcifications found?
Hi 2kittens, my experience wasn’t quite the same as yours but I didn’t want to read and run. I found a lump and was referred to a one-stop clinic where they found a cyst along with calcifications. I was told at the time that they weren’t sure whether the calcifications were benign or a sign of non-invasive DCIS. I understand from other people’s experience that if DCIS or invasive cancer is suspected then the medical team usually prepare you for that on the day. So it sounds like they really need the results from your biopsies to confirm either way. What you were told about not travelling seems very unhelpful.
Thank you for replying, I really appreciate it.
Yes, the Dr said she genuinely has no idea what it is. Tbh I’m expecting the worst - breast tissue changed/lump, calcifications in 2 clusters and distortions on the ultrasound are all indicators of the worst. My aunt on my dad’s side had breast cancer twice, once when she was late 30s I think and again in her 60s but it beat her. I’m having the genetic testing for the gene.
Hi 2kittens - yes I have lumps with calcifications alongside a grade 1 13mm tumour. The term ‘calcifications’ scared the daylights out of me as I assumed they’d remove those too. I was told these are quite normal as of course the cancers are usually coming from the milk ducts. With the following 5 years of Mammograms after surgery I felt assured they would pick up anything suspect going on. I do hope your team can give you an answer to make things clearer to you. x
Thank you for this. I really feel like I need to prepare for the worst, it just feels too many things to not be that. The fact that my Dr said I couldn’t reschedule the results appointment has made me feel that she’s leaning towards it more likely being cancer as one day difference for the appointment I’m sure wouldn’t make much difference. Just wish I could fast forward 2 weeks!
The waiting is horrible. I found the Breast Cancer Now helpline very helpful to talk things through during the waiting period. X
I can’t see “New Topic” so I’ll write my question as a reply to your post. I had a CT scan of the chest and in the report it says “There is a calcified elongated mass in the right breast tissue measuring 3.7 cm which could be better assessed with mammogram.” Here in N.S.W. we have a great programme called Breastscreen. I had my last mammogram 2 years ago. I have contacted them for an appointment. But I’m just wondering, does “elongated” ring a worrying bell? I know what “calcified” means. I’ve read that larger masses are less likely to be cancer, but then I’ve read that “elongated” masses could be. I’ve had breast reduction surgery and my breast tissue is very dense. I am over 70. Both my mother and grandmother had slow-growing breast cancers at my age. My grandmother chose to have no treatment and it never bothered her. My mother had a lumpectomy and had follow-ups every six months for the rest of her life. I’ve had Stage 1 endometrial cancer and I know it doesn’t usually metastasise to the breasts.
Hi 2kittens, can I know how was your result? I happened the same things as yours on mammogram part, they did it twice and one with a close up, then I was asked to come back the clinic again to have biopsy, which worried me! I hope you are well.