topic Re: 3 D Mammograms in Wellness

3 D Mammograms

CatsyCline — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 14:27:31 GMT

i had a 3 D mammogram. are these supposed to be more accurate than the standard one? i got a call back and need to have further views

when i had the mamaogram last week, the tech said something about getting the views correct and not having to repeat due to radiation exposure .

i have had call backs before but that was the standard mammo. this time its in my right breast.

very anxious now because this was 3 D

Re: 3 D Mammograms

cantdrive55 — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 14:55:33 GMT

Try not to worry. It sounds like the radiologist wants to take a closer look. it's a good thing that you have a radiologist who is thorough. I had additional views requested of 3 D mammograms just last week, so it's not a perfect test.

Re: 3 D Mammograms

GRACIE — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 14:57:57 GMT

I have very dense breasts . For 4 years when I got the regular mammogram, they said everything was normal, but then my Doctor would insist I needed to go back to do 3d sonogram since I have dense(36B) breasts. I change Doctors and it happen again. Last year I informed my doctor just ordered the 3d sonogram, because I would not be making two trips. This process is longer, while there my left breast was 3 d twice. The Doctor wanted to insure everyhing was find, which Thank God it was.

Re: 3 D Mammograms

wagirl — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 15:06:47 GMT

At the hospital I go to, 3D is what everyone gets.I had breast cancer 4 years ago; 3D is standard operating procedure for me and has been since after my radiation treatment in 2013. I have very dense breasts and was always having to come back for a do over. Was getting mammos every 6 months for a couple years and have graduated to the NORMAL once a year mammo as I still have one very dense breast. Try not to be too worried. I would take being extra careful over what I went thru anytime!

Re: 3 D Mammograms

JeanLouiseFinch — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 17:04:46 GMT

@ashleigh dupray wrote:
i had a 3 D mammogram. are these supposed to be more accurate than the standard one? i got a call back and need to have further views

when i had the mamaogram last week, the tech said something about getting the views correct and not having to repeat due to radiation exposure .

i have had call backs before but that was the standard mammo. this time its in my right breast.

very anxious now because this was 3 D

Try not to worry. I just had mine (3D) done last week. The tech checked the views before I even stepped away from the machine. She had to redo one. It can happen if your breast wasn't positioned right in the first place, or if the nipple rolled and she didn't notice it. And if it is something more than that, be glad that it was a 3D and perhaps caught whatever it is all that much sooner. Good luck.

Re: 3 D Mammograms

CatsyCline — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 23:38:53 GMT

OP here. i went today for the 2 extra views, another 3D study. after i was seated in the waiting area , but i was dressed. the tech came and also the radiologist came and they took me in a room. the radiologist talked to me at length with the mammo tech present.

half of what he was telling me is a blur!!! i was trying hard to understand what he was saying. he said there was a few spots of calcification and they are closer to the chest wall than normal.

they scheduled me for a needle biopsy. i said wanted to think about it but somehow, the next thing i knew they had me go Breast Health where i filled out more paperwork. did i smoke, use BC, use HRT, family Hx....omg. a 45 minute appt had morphed into 2 hours. i was shown the image and there are clearly white spots that look different from othertissue. i have the biopsy on Thursday.

trying to not pre-worry!!!

Re: 3 D Mammograms

Reba055 — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 23:47:42 GMT

@ashleigh dupray wrote:
OP here. i went today for the 2 extra views, another 3D study. after i was seated in the waiting area , but i was dressed. the tech came and also the radiologist came and they took me in a room. the radiologist talked to me at length with the mammo tech present.

half of what he was telling me is a blur!!! i was trying hard to understand what he was saying. he said there was a few spots of calcification and they are closer to the chest wall than normal.

they scheduled me for a needle biopsy. i said wanted to think about it but somehow, the next thing i knew they had me go Breast Health where i filled out more paperwork. did i smoke, use BC, use HRT, family Hx....omg. a 45 minute appt had morphed into 2 hours. i was shown the image and there are clearly white spots that look different from othertissue. i have the biopsy on Thursday.

trying to not pre-worry!!!

@CatsyCline I'll be thinking of you. Keep us posted.

Re: 3 D Mammograms

Ms X — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 23:50:37 GMT

@ashleigh dupray wrote:
OP here. i went today for the 2 extra views, another 3D study. after i was seated in the waiting area , but i was dressed. the tech came and also the radiologist came and they took me in a room. the radiologist talked to me at length with the mammo tech present.

half of what he was telling me is a blur!!! i was trying hard to understand what he was saying. he said there was a few spots of calcification and they are closer to the chest wall than normal.

they scheduled me for a needle biopsy. i said wanted to think about it but somehow, the next thing i knew they had me go Breast Health where i filled out more paperwork. did i smoke, use BC, use HRT, family Hx....omg. a 45 minute appt had morphed into 2 hours. i was shown the image and there are clearly white spots that look different from othertissue. i have the biopsy on Thursday.

trying to not pre-worry!!!

Best of luck! It's great that you're on to the biopsy because the quicker you get through the steps in checking this out, the better off you'll be. There's no point in prolonging it and worrying. I hope you get good news.

Re: 3 D Mammograms

MomCat — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 12:18:21 GMT

This is becoming more and more common, and I'm not sure whether to feel good about it or be angry at the overkill. Most of these, even after biopsy, turn out to be nothing. I think there are some in the medical field that are afraid to not go further with testing. That "better safe than sorry" attitude. They have to know that all us gals are heart stopping worried at any hint of a problem with our mammo. If it weren't so common, it would be a lot more terrifying. Best of luck, and I hope you are free from all this soon so you can get on with your life.

Re: 3 D Mammograms

VaBelle35 — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 12:31:05 GMT

I had a needle biopsy I think in 2009. The procedure itself is not bad and recovery was nothing but a bandaid (mine was on the underside). I had a great team. The worst part is waiting for the procedure and then the results.

I will keep you in my prayers and urge you to stay off google. No good comes from googling ;o)

Re: 3 D Mammograms

MaggieMack — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 15:34:37 GMT

@CatsyCline, stay positive! I had my first mammo at 23, a regular biopsy at 30, two grandmothers and an aunt who passed from bc. I'm a 34DDD with density, no kids, so still dense. I will be 66 this year, and still no bc. I don't even worry about it when I get my annual mammo. Lost my mom to lung ca, my stepson to brain ca, my DH to leukemia. It can be overwhelming if it becomes your focus. Eat well, breathe deeply, and expect the very best outcome! You're in my prayers, please keep posting as results come in.

Re: 3 D Mammograms

wagirl — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 15:44:15 GMT

ashleigh----all I know is that this was found early which is good, maybe because of using the 3D. Of course you are going to worry but don't let it get out of control. Probably is nothing---I have had this happen to me 5 or 6 times during my pre 3D mammo years. Had all the mammos first, then ultrasounds then biopsies. Most of these were done before the advent of 3D. Not knowing and the waiting drove me crazy. I'd rather know. More power in the knowing. You'll do fine. The biopsies weren't terrible. Just go about your business and if you have family that will support you then tell them what is going on. Don't worry about worrying them. They will step up hopefully. I didn't have much family support so did most of my journey on my own. Good luck and just breathe!!!!!

Re: 3 D Mammograms

Nightowlz — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 17:58:49 GMT

Hope everything turns out ok for you. I don't know if I have ever had a 3D mammogram. It costs more money & they say Ins does not cover it so I doubt I have had one since I have never paid any part of one. I need to find out since 3D exposes us to more radiation. IMO they are going in the wrong direction. The mammogram needs to expose us to less radiation not more. I just had one done this time last year & had not had one done in 5-6 yrs. I won't be having another one for several years. I don't need the radiation.

Re: 3 D Mammograms

Laura14 — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 19:15:18 GMT

@CatsyCline I have been and still am where you are. Believe it or not, you are very lucky they are going straight to biopsy. You'll have a definitive answer right away. I remember that blur the day before Thanksgiving.

I kept getting called back for more imaging and ultrasounds and paid out lots of money to basically have them say to me, we don't think you have anything going on but continue screening. I almost didn't go back for my annual they scared me so bad. I actually did and saw the center now had the 3D and thought great. They won't scare the heck out of me this year and I'll save the $1000 for the extra screenings and ultrasounds.

Not true. They still couldn't really see under 3D and still ultrasounded me and now they want me back for another ultrasound in 6 months since I refused a biopsy which my doctor was fine with rejecting based on her reading of the radiology report. If my six month ultrasound shows nothing again, I am seriously, seriously considering not being screened at all.

What I am trying to say to you is this: I think there is an overabundance of caution when they pick up anything at all because they really don't have the technology yet to determine what they pick up. That's not going to make you feel better until you have a negative biopsy result, I know. And biopsies are absolutely definite. But just keep in mind, that there is a ridiculous amount of testing because what we have right now to see inside breasts isn't really up to par for a lot of women to be screened properly. So they protect themselves (and us) and keep going.

I had calcifications show up years ago and I stopped taking my calcium supplements right then. Very shortly after that, the medical community finally came out and said as a whole to everyone, stop taking them because they are doing more damage than good. I've not had any calcifications show up since. Something to bring up with the doctor in case you are on any type of calcium supplement. It may just be picking up excess deposits from the medicine/supplement the body can't use.

I know you won't but try not to make yourself crazy over it. More times than not it's just eager beavers looking to make sure they won't be liable in case there is something there that again more often than not can be treated if there is.

Not knowing is horrible! I'll be thinking of you all week. Virtual hug!

Re: 3 D Mammograms

Shelbelle — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 21:10:03 GMT

More and more insurances are covering the 3D mamms now, including Medicare, Blue Cross and Cigna.

Re: 3 D Mammograms

Shelbelle — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 21:11:45 GMT

I dont know if taking calcium or not has anything to do with calcifications in the breast, I take mega doses of calcium for years and no calcs in my breasts, and have friends who take no calcium and do have them.

Re: 3 D Mammograms

chickenbutt — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 21:17:19 GMT

I've never had a mammo but I have heard that the 3D ones definitely can see more. It sounds like progress.

Hope everything is ok!!

Re: 3 D Mammograms

Lipstickdiva — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 18:51:46 GMT

When calcifications show up in certain patterns in the breast or are clustered in the breast, it can be indicative of BC. That is what happened with my sister.

She went for a screening mammo which showed the calcifications. They did a diagnostic and then an ultrasound. She was then told she had to have a biopsy.

They did a biopsy that came back negative and obviously she was super relieved. However, her doctor called and was not convinced based on how bad her diagnostic mammo looked and sent her for a second opinion with a breast specialist.

The breast specialist determined that the type of biopsy that was done was not the right one for her and she had to have a second mammogram lead biopsy which showed she had BC. It turns out the doctor who performed the first biopsy didn't get any of the affected tissue. She was very lucky her cancer was ductal carcinoma in situ which is considered stage 0 but they did recommend a mastectomy for her.

Now there is a lot of controversy in the medical community among doctors over DCIS. Some feel it should just be closely monitored as it rarely spreads and some feel it should be taken care of.

Re: 3 D Mammograms

Lipstickdiva — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 18:51:10 GMT

@Shelbelle wrote:
I dont know if taking calcium or not has anything to do with calcifications in the breast, I take mega doses of calcium for years and no calcs in my breasts, and have friends who take no calcium and do have them.

I cannot find any legit source that says calcium causes calcifications in the breast. I can find many sources that definitely say the 2 are not related at all.

Re: 3 D Mammograms

Shelbelle — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 20:26:08 GMT

My friends doc told her if the calcs are clustered together in one area, there is more cause for worry, then if they are scattered throughout the breast.