another abnormal mammogram--long

when I had a previous abnormal mammogram, that resulted in benign findings in a breast MRI. After that experience I continued with my yearly or slightly more often mammograms and breast exams, and all was fine till last week

Well, I just found out yesterday (in the mail from the imaging center, and not from my doctor) that I have problems again--the radiologist found a 5 mm area in my left breast that wasn't there in the mammogram I had a year ago.
The report says *looks benign in nature*, or words to that effect, but the report concludes by stating that I should have a compression mammogram, followed by an ultrasound to get a better diagnosis.

Well, earlier this afternoon I opted for having both tests the same day (compression mammogram and ultrasound)--which are scheduled for May 3rd.
I'm also strongly leaning towards having the area removed surgically regardless of the findings on the other tests. Additionally, I will get my mammograms every 6 months instead of annually--my mother had BC (don't know what kind) and died of its' complications in 1985, at age 69. She died 7 months after being diagnosed, so she could have been quite far along with her cancer when she was diagnosed. Her sister died of advanced liver cancer in January 2001 at age 78. So, I have a rather significant family history of cancer, and that's why I feel I need to be aggressive about my treatment.
I am an only child so I have no *cancer history* with any siblings.

I also have the old style Dow Corning breast implants (since July 1988) and the reason the radiologist wants to look at things further is that this latest lump/suspicious area wasn't seen on earlier mammograms, and additionally was seen on only one exposure out of the 8 or ten they took last week.

If I have a malignancy of any size I want to have both breasts removed, along with my ovaries, uterus (complete hysterectomy), followed by radiation, but probably no chemotherapy unless the cancer has spread significantly. I don't have the time, energy or support system (family, close friends) in place to contend with a long chemo treatment and physical problems I'd have as a result.

I'm 48, single, with no children. I'm slightly overweight now (weight 160 or so), and weighed 130 or so when I had the problems back in 2000. The other thing that's changed since then is that I'm now without health insurance of any kind--I simply could no longer afford it--and so I'm also looking at financial ruin as well as a possible serious health emergency.

In closing, hopefully some of you here can chime in and give me some advice on the questions I should ask/things I should pay attention for, when I have my tests on May 3rd. I have to depend on my own mind/memory/intellectual ability because, like I said, I don't have the friends or family to help me with this. When I called my ex-boyfriend about this last nite he was quite callous and unsupportive and as a result I cannot depend on him for any emotional support or help whatever. He naturally thinks I'm overreacting in a major way--I don't think I am at all--I think I'm being realistic and proactive about what could be in store for me.

I had to be a real PITA to get my mammogram report faxed to me this morning, and expect I'll need to continue to be a bitch in order to get the medical care I want and deserve.

This all is happening at the worst possible time--I *was* going back to school, and I have two major A&P tests in the next 10 days--and there's no way to postpone them--at least I have an *A* in the course so far, but I still have a lot of studying to do, even with this going on, to *keep* my A in the course. I thought I had my summer planned--Summer School followed by visiting Athens in August for the Summer Olympics, followed by school in the fall--but it looks like I might have to scale back my summer school schedule, and possibly even pull the plug on my Olympics trip!

Thanks in advance--

Jean Barto

Hi Jean, sorry to hear of the difficulties that you have been having. I do understand your concerns. I also had a bad family hx and was dx'd with 3 types of aggressive b.c. 9 mos. after a "supposed" normal mammogram. I opted for a bilateral mastectomy which my surgeon concurred with as did other surgeons whom
I saw for 2nd opinions. I then had chemo, radiation, more chemo and have received some type of treatment since. 18 mos after my mastectomy I had a complete hysterectomy and Salpingo-oopherectomy. I forgot to mention that I also had 9 of 12 positive lymph nodes and extensive lymphovascular invasion. I don't know if what I did will work--or how long it will work for but in my case
I feel that aggressive treatment was necessary.
I wish you the best with whatever treatments you do have and hope that you can get some type of coverage. Sorry to hear about your boyfriend but it sounds as if there were some problems to begin with prior to b.c. As tough as it can be to be alone at this time, his departure may have been the best gift he could have given you. I know of 2 women who left their husbands after their dx and have gone on to find satisfying relationships with strong, caring men. Take care and wishing you all the best! {{{Hugs}}}