|
Question: #1561
04/24/2003
|
|
Q: |
I'm 44 years old and just had my second screening mammogram. I received a letter and a call from my doctor that I need more imaging done. The report reads that both breasts are heterogeneously dense. There is an area of architectural distortion in the right breast at 10 o'clock in the posterior depth which most likely represents fibroglandular tissue. I was not concerned at all about this until I started reading on the internet and saw that architectural distortion can also be indicative of a malignancy. How often, in your experience is there a malignancy in a case like this. Thanks for your help. |
| |
A: |
Gee, it really varies. And the reason it varies is based on what one radiologist considers architectural distortion compared to what another one might see. So it would be more beneficial to know from the radiologist who read your films what the probability is that she/he thinks this is cancer or not... the doctor will tell you-- or ask what the biRADs score is. this will give you that information too. |
|
Question: #1562
04/20/2003
|
|
Q: |
I had a second mammogram done , I was sent a letter, telling me, there was a rounded density in my right breast. I looked at my xrays. I saw a white small area close to the nipple and so they did a different type of xray, flattening the breast a little tighter. What is a rounded density? Thank you |
| |
A: |
The purpose of the spot films you've now had done is to determine what this density is. So the doctor will look at this area more closely to see if it looks like something benign or something more worrisome. sometimes ultrasound is also done to help evaluate abnormalities too. So ask the radiologist what they think it is and how to proceed in getting resolution about it. |
|
Question: #1563
04/19/2003
|
|
Q: |
What percentage of pleomorphic clusters of microcalcifications turn out to be benign? (BIRADS 4) |
| |
A: |
The key is what percentage of BIRADS 4 read by the radiologist who assigned yours and read it out with these findings have benign results. It wouldn't be terribly useful to look at a national average, and actually i don't think there is one. What is important is the statistical results for the radiologist involved in your case. So call and ask... |
|
Question: #1564
04/17/2003
|
|
Q: |
I had a bilateral galatogram done because of bilateral breast discharge. The impression on the right was lobulated intraductal density with Bi-Rads category 4. The impression on the left was intraductal filling defect also with a Bi-Rads categor 4. Mammogram in Dec. was normal. Differential diagnosis for both inclueds papilloma and intraductal carcinoma. What are the percentages of it being cancer versus the papilloma? How serious is a Bi-Rads category 4?Very concered. |
| |
A: |
There aren't any "odds" to tell you since it is directly dependent on how your personal mammogram and ultrasound look and not based on grouping you with other mammograms of other women. Category 4 is worrisome but not definitive. so pursue following up as they recommend you do. Intraductal carcinoma is noninvasive breast cancer-- stage 0-- which is the earliest stage of breast cancer. papillomas are benign structures in the breast that usually warrant removal anyway. so check things out and press forward with getting a pathology diagnosis so you know what you are dealing with and can move out of limbo where you are now. |
|
Question: #1565
04/16/2003
|
|
Q: |
Hello and thank you in advance for you time. My Background: I am a 5'4" 127 pound 35 year old with a (?)positive family history of breast cancer (mother's sister diagnosed and passed of breast cancer at the age of 28 years). Nonsmoker. Moderate drinker college and all of 20's. Jogger 2-3miles/day, 1 child @ 30 yrs. : PMH: Fibroadenoma of R breast -3 o'clock position- removed surgically at 21 years. Grew back and removed again at 24 years, this time the size of "a golf ball". Since then fibrocystic breasts with many small lumps and bumps but none that big again. No more surgeries. Mammogram 4/4/03 due to a pea size bump on a crescent shaped lump at 9 o'clock on R breast. OB/Gyn also noted same on CBE. Mammogram turned into a diagnostic one with a total of 12 films taken and 16 ultrasound pictures. I've been referred to a surgeon, yet can't get in anywhere for another month and am very nervous. Could you please give me any indication if I should worry about cancer at this time or if my surgery referral is precautionary. I will go to the surgeon and, infact, have 2 scheduled, so I can have a 2nd opinion for peace of mind. (I am small breasted and have a feeling they had a hard time visuallizing what they needed to even though this center boasts they are a "Breast center"). Do they miss cancer on small breasted women? "The breasts are composed of scattered fibroglandular and fatty tissue. Directly underneath the BBs there are no dominant masses, areas of architectural distortion or suspicious clusters of micro calcifications. On the original routine MLO and CC views a 1.5 cm asymmetric density was seen within the posterior depth of the central and medial right breast. This was adjacent to a dystrophic calcification which was new and may be within the biopsy bed and deep to the biopsy scar. Spot compression views demonstrated this area appears to spread out and to have interspersed fat similar to fibroglandular tissue. There are no associated suspicious micro calcifications or architectural distortion. (I have my films and the areas in question on both the mammogramms and US are circled. They appear grey, if that makes a difference. The are many other areas which are bright white - calcifications?) Ultrasound: Targeted ultrasound in the upper medial right breast in the region of the mammographic abnormality demonstrates an area of heterogeneous echogenicity (what is this, good or bad?) at one o'clock which is adjacent to the prior scar and likely represents post-surgical change. The radiologist then goes on to possiblty dismiss their findings since I'd previosly had surgery. While they were doing the ultrasound, they were targeting my upper central to medial right breast about 2 1/2" below my collarbone-not the area abutting my areola at the 3 o'clock position which is actually where the surgery was. Since I am basically flat chested (barely a B cup) I'm fairly confident the scar didn't migrate up there or I wouldn't be able to see me breastbone and ribs. I used to work in radiology doing videoflouroscopies and am concerned that the radiologist is afraid of reading this as a false positive. Could you please give me some insight? Thank you. |
| |
A: |
Though multiple surgical opinions might be helpful, consider instead getting another radiologist who specializes in breast cancer to re-read these films and render an opinion. though the narrative doesn't sound worrisome the real test is what do the films look like to expert eyes who see and treat thousands of women with breast cancer each year? Also, sometimes doctors recommend re-excisiing an area when benign masses want to keep regrowing there... but in any case, consider having diagnostic evaluation done by another radiologist at a breast imaging center for their opinion. |
|
Question: #1566
04/16/2003
|
|
Q: |
Do ultrasound transducers only get pictures of the area they are directly over on a breast? My technician kept the transducer on the upper right of my right breast even though the lump was more towards the middle of my right breast. Can a transducer cover an entire area without it directly going over the entire area? Also what is the percentage of women who develop breast cancer at 23? Also, is it normal for lymph nodes under the arm to become sore and swollen during menstruation? Thank you. |
| |
A: |
ultrasound images do extend beyond just the area where the transducer is held. Hopefully the images showed what they were looking for-- that is the bottom line. Lymph nodes swell during menstruation-- you need to talk with your gyn doctor about that.. it isn't usual but everyone's bodies are different. Ask him/her about yours. |
|
Question: #1567
04/15/2003
|
|
Q: |
I recently had a mammogram and found to have a Br. Nodule 5mm prob lymph node. They want a follow-up in 6 months. I will go back for a mammogram and a chest-xray. Could you tell me more about this and the procedure? I don't understand also why the need for another chest x-ray. Thank you very much. |
| |
A: |
When having a mammogram it is usual practice to compare the current films to previously taken films, looking for a change. They noted something different on your films and have read it out tentatively as a lymph node. it is usual to follow up in 6 months rather than waiting a year to verify that it doesn't look any different and that no other new things are seen. Ask the doctor about the rationale for chest xray-- he/she needs to explain the rationale/need for this-- again, it might be a way they are using to verify what they are seeing is benign. |
|
Question: #1568
04/13/2003
|
|
Q: |
After a recent breast reduction DCIS was found in one breast and atypical hyperplasia in the other breast. Was not yet visible on mammogram. No margins are available. What imaging techniques and/or biopsy options are useful in determining extent of the disease in other parts of the breast? |
| |
A: |
yikes. margins not known, eh?? and mammogram doesn't show anything? MRI might be considered prehaps but it too may not be helpful at this moment since you just had surgery. Your situation is complex enough that you may want to consider seeing a surgical oncologist who specializes in breast cancer to see his/her recommendations as to how to proceed. Additional factors that would be considered in recommending a game plan for you will be whether you have a family history of breast cancer or not. |
|
Question: #1569
04/13/2003
|
|
Q: |
I am 44 years old and just recently had a full body CT scan (by choice). The finding was a 17mm left outer breast nodule and they suggested a diagnostic mammogram. All of my mammograms have been normal. One thing I have always noticed is the pain I have always had in my left breast, especially after the mammogram. Are breast cancer lumps normally painful, or is it more likely fibroadenoma, or fibrosistic breast? I am also reading for fibrocystic breast you are better off not wearing a bra to decrease the chance of developing lumps. I am waiting for my results of the mammogram. They did take more views after seeing cysts in the right breast that the CT scan did not show. I do not have any history of breast cancer in my family, but my mother does have fibrocystic breast. |
| |
A: |
cysts commonly cause pain and sometimes fibroadenomas. cancer causes pain about 105 of the time in the breast. Not wearing a bra won't effect fibrocystic disease and actually will increase breast pain because there isn't anything support the breast tissue and ligaments ( not to mention not supporting coopers ligaments which without support will cause coopers droop!). A diagnostic mammogram will include mammogram and spot films in the area in question and possibly an ultrasound. |
|
Question: #1570
04/13/2003
|
|
Q: |
I recently had a mammogram, then a call back for a digital mammogram to look at an area of calcification. After the second mammogram the radiologist has recommended stereotactic biopsy. My husband suggested an independent MRI, and since the radiologist's office thought the additional info would be helpful, I got the MRI. The clinician reading the MRI result said the MRI of course could not pick up calcifications, but that the MRI results looked very clean and that the biopsy may not be necessary. I would rather be safe than sorry and plan to proceed with the biopsy. Does that sound wise? Should I get a second opinion? |
| |
A: |
Microcalcifications usually warrant biopsy when seen clustered together or having an irregular edging and they may go unnoticed on an MRI. It's good to know that the MRI was negative in that it implies no gross evidence of tumor, but biopsying makes sense. |
|
Question: #1571
04/13/2003
|
|
Q: |
Hi: I am a 49 year old that was found to have malignant lymph nodes most likely source a left breast occult primary adenocarcinoma. No tumors ever showed up on MRI, PET, US or mammogram. My radiologist did some special breast MRIS with dye and found "After administration of ghandolinium,immediate, 5 min and 15 minute delayed images. On immediate images, a rounded area of enhancement probably in left lower quadrant. This does not appear to wash out and persists for 5 minutes. Fairly well defined borders, perhaps one border with poor defination, but no spiculated borders. Due to lack of washout, this finding is probably benign as malignancies are usually hyperdynamic and wash out quickly". The radiologist, the surgeon and the oncologist do not seemed concerned about this, but it is scary to me! I am supposed to have another MRI after chemo is done. This area on the MRI does not show up on ay other tests. What do you think of this? Thank you. |
| |
A: |
this is a situation that sometimes taking your films to be read by another radiologist who also specializes in breast imaging may be helpful in rendering another set of expert eyes to review it and see if they agree or disagree. it is understandable to be concerned and you should make that concern known to your health care team. |
|
Question: #1572
04/09/2003
|
|
Q: |
Does liposuction breast reduction surgery (as distinguished from traditional breast reduction surgery) increase the difficulty of detecting cancer via mammography (for example, because the breast is "denser" or because the scarring may mimic or hide tumors)? Thank you. |
| |
A: |
sometimes there is still scarring of the breast with liposuction. Everyone's tissue heals differently. following the procedure you would be getting a mammogram at some point which would become your new baseline mammogram for doing future comparisons, factoring in any changes that resulted from the surgery. |
|
Question: #1573
04/07/2003
|
|
Q: |
Hi: I am 49 years old and have had mammograms for the past 10 years, all normal. They are STILL normal even though I have now been diagnosed with a breast cancer that has spread to my lymph nodes and no sign of the primary tumor under any imaging,including MRI and PET. My surgeon says perhaps the tumor was located in the tail of the breast and went straight to the lymph nodes, and the surgery may have gotten it out, but there is no way to tell this from the pathology. My question is, what sort of imaging should I have in the future when I am done with treatment since mammograms never showed anything? Thank you |
| |
A: |
This can happen-- the primary tumor remains a mystery as to where it is... sometimes doctors elect to do MRI of the breast going forward... sometimes also ultrasound. I suspect a mammogram will still be part of the battery of routine tests that are recommended for you anyway though. |
|
Question: #1574
04/02/2003
|
|
Q: |
I had yearly mamagram. I had to go back to have a second one done only on the left breast-a magnification. The result show calcification cluster; now schedule for a biopsy 4/7/03. Is this the beginning of breast cancer? Mother just died last June from breast cancer. Please help me understand this cluster calcification on the breast. Thank you |
| |
A: |
you will find a lot of questions in this section of our website on this issue. Clusters of micrcocalcifications can be an early stage breast cancer, or just calcium deposits. thus the purpose of the biopsy. If they are cancer it has probably be caught quite early and your outcome will be different than your mom's... So be optimistic. The appearance of the microcalcs under magnification help them to futher determine how suspicious they look. so ask the radiologist to be upfront with you and tell you what he/she thinks the odds are... if you do end up diagnosed, you will be an example of the value of mammography in catching the disease long before it becomes a palpable lump. |
|
Question: #1575
04/02/2003
|
|
Q: |
I just turned 70 yrs. old Dec.'02. My yearly Mammograms have been fine until my last one 11/5/02. The report states: Spot compression views. The current examination is compared to previous imaging dated 10/30/02 and 9/14/01. The numbers of films obtained to complete this Left unilateral mammogram was three, including two MLO spot views and a true lateral medial view. There are scattered fibroglandular densities that could obscure a lesion on mammography. FINDINGS: Slight area of asymmetric density is noted in the upper portion of the left breast. It does not appear to have the form of a discrete mass. This is not well seen in the CC view. Dystrophic calcifications are noted. IMPRESSION: Slight area of asymmetry in upper portion of the left breast not seen on the CC view. I would recommend a six month follow up examination Category 3-Probably benign. |
| |
A: |
hhmm. you didn't state a question in your information so i'm going to assume you are asking if this is a worrisome finding? The report is pretty clear in stating that they suspect all is well and to be safe return in 6 months for a follow up to confirm this rather than wait 12 months. sounds reasonable. if you feel worried, you can always get your films re-reviewed at another facility by another radiologist to confirm these findings. that may give you peace of mind over the next few months too. |
|
Question: #1576
03/13/2003
|
|
Q: |
I AM 40 YEARS OLD AND HAD MY FIRST MAMMOGRAM 2 WEEKS AGO. I WAS NOTIFIED BY MY DOCTOR THAT SOMETHING SHOWED UP.HE BELIEVED IT TO BE FATTY TISSUE BUT ORDERED A DIAGNOSTIC MAMMOGRAM. THE RADIOLOGIST CAME IN TO QUESTION ME ABOUT ANT PAIN IN MY LEFT BREAST. I TOLD HIM THAT I DID HAVE OCCASIONAL PAIN BUT NOTHING OVERWHELMING, HE TOLD ME TO WAIT 6 MONTHS AND COME BACK FOR ANOTHER MAMMOGRAM TO SE IF THE MASS HAS GROWN IN SIZE AND THAT WE WOULD GO FROM THERE, MY DOCTOR AGREED WITH THE RADIOLOGIST. WHEN I ASKED MY DOCTOR ABOUT A BIOPSY TO EASE MY MIND HE SAID THAT THERE WASN'T ENOUGH EVIDENCE FOR A BIOPSY. SHOULD I SEEK A 2ND OPINION? |
| |
A: |
When a woman has a lump or other symptom of the breast that is worrisome it needs to be investigated and answers received so that she knows exactly what it is. Seek another opinion for peace of mind and hopefully a definitive answer. |
|
Question: #1577
03/13/2003
|
|
Q: |
i am 41 years old and had my routine mammo and ultrasound, my mom and 2 aunts had breast cancer...i have had several needle aspirations, all negative results, but this time i had so many cysts, they stopped counting....what caused fybrocystic breasts and is there a cure or help to make them more comfortable...they always ache and i rarely remove my bra due to the pain, especially before my period.. |
| |
A: |
Fibrocystic disease is not a precursor to breast cancer. Family history is though and yours is significant with 3 family relatives , one being a first degree relative. The cause if fibrocystic disease is unknown. some women have taken vitamin E to help relieve breast pain. A large number of women have fiborcystic disease- many doctors will say that it was misnamed as being a disease and should be referred to as a disorder. |
|
Question: #1578
03/11/2003
|
|
Q: |
How accurate is an ultrasound in determining whether a lump in the breast is liquid (a cyst) or mass/fibre ? |
| |
A: |
pretty accurate because the fluid can be visualized in ultrasound when it is a cyst. there can be some circumstances though that it is hard to tell or a solid mass may be behind a cyst.these are unusual though. |
|
Question: #1579
03/11/2003
|
|
Q: |
I have a 4 cm lump in my breast, and because I am breast-feeding my 4 month baby, my breast surgeon has recommended an MRI. He is not confortable with any form of biopsy ( even fine needle) because of the risk of milk fistula. I have 2 questions: 1) how long after the MRI should I abstain from breasfeeding my infant - I'd like a very conservative estimate to avoid even small/trace amounts of the MRI enhancer to pass through breast milk. 2) What enhancer ( Gadolinium, Magn____, etc.) enables the best disgnostic on a breast MRI? |
| |
A: |
The radiologist performing the MRI needs to tell you this because it is based on the type of tracer used and the amount. |
|
Question: #1580
03/10/2003
|
|
Q: |
WHEN A MAMOGRAM HAS BEEN PERFORMED AND THEN THE RADIOLOGIST SUGGESTS AN ULTRASOUND WHAT IS THE PROTOCOL FOR SCANNING THE BREAST. dOES THE TECHNICIAN SCAN THE WHOLE BREAST OR JUST THE AREA OF CONCERN? iS THIS THE SAME PROTOCOL EVERYWHERE. wHY DO RADIOLOGIST HAVE THE TECHNICIAN SCAN THE WHOLE BREAST IF THE MAMMOGRAM ONLY SHOWN A CERTAIN AREA OF QUESTIO.? |
| |
A: |
usually the area that was found to be questionable is the part that is ultrasounded. This is pretty standard. there are special circumstances where there are multiple abnormalities and the doctor will decide to scan the whole breast but this is rare. |
|
Question: #1581
03/04/2003
|
|
Q: |
My mother has a lump in her breast the size of a silver dollar. She had a mammogram six months ago and it was clear. They did another mammogram yesterday and its shows a large white spot. They also did a needle biopsy using an ultrsound yesterday but said it would take a week to get the results back. Does a spot that shows up white usually mean cancer? The doctor said if it was cancer its better to be new (less than six months) and large than if it were small and been there a long time. Would you agree with this it looks very large and scary to me.
|
| |
A: |
most abnormalities on a mammogram show up as something white. the structure and appearance of the white area tells us more about what it might be. it is usually a good sign if it didn't appear on previous xrays before that were taken rather recently. the smaller a cancer is the better usually but not always. |
|
Question: #1582
03/03/2003
|
|
Q: |
I am 54 years old. I had my first routine mammogram a year and a half ago and was called in for a follow-up mammogram. The results came back normal. This year, I had a mammogram and had to go back again for follow-up. My doctor called and told me there was a suspicious area the size of a gum ball and wanted me to have a sonogram. The results of the sonogram were negative. They couldn't find anything at all. What now? |
| |
A: |
What this suspicious thing is still needs to be definitively determined. usually additional magnifications by mammography are done and in some cases even an MRI to determine what it is--- and if still felt to be suspicious, then biopsy. |
|
Question: #1583
02/28/2003
|
|
Q: |
I have an 8mm solid enhancing nodule in the left breast as seen with an mri with contrast. Remove? watch? thanks. it was not seen on mamo. Was found when looking at lymph nodes in axillary region. |
| |
A: |
it depends on the shape, and other factors. have a radiologist who specializes in breast imaging look at it closely for advice. |
|
Question: #1584
02/28/2003
|
|
Q: |
Last Thursday 2/20 I had a screening mammogram (since turning 40) and was called the next morning to come in for additional pictures. I also had a mammogram 8 years ago for a clogged milk duct, and the radiologist had my former films for comparison). I went yesterday for these additional pictures, and after the first pictures were taken, the tech came back to take them again because the radiologist wanted them 'darker'. After a few more minutes the tech came back and said they saw calcification. She basically said there were three types (the white specs, the 'grayish area' and the malignant type) and said I shouldn't worry - if the radiologist was at all concerned, he would have been coming in to see me (my studies were done at a breast center of a large hospital). They told me to come back in 6 months for another mammogram. Now my questions - what causes calcification, and can further calcification be prevented on my part? Can I do anything to get rid of the calcification I have? Should I insist on further studies and/or biopsies? Thank you for this site - it is invaluable! |
| |
A: |
calcifications fall into 2 categories-- benign calcium and precancer. They enlarge the films to see if their structure, size and pattern of formation look suspicious. if they do then they biopsy. if they don't then they wait 6 months to take more pictures and see if there is change or not. you are always welcome to have your films reviewed by another radiologist elsewhere who specailizes in breast imaging to help you feel more at ease. there is nothing you are doing or not doing to cause calcs to form. |
|
Question: #1585
02/28/2003
|
|
Q: |
I just had a mammogram done and doctor said my breast is very dense in fybrocystic cysts and that they need removed. If not removed what are the possible affects. What does large dose of removal consists of? |
| |
A: |
hhmm. cysts are usually aspirated in breast imaging as the means of making them go away. not surgery. ask your doctor more questions as there seems to be something lost in the translation. cysts left alone don't usually do harm. they can cause local breast pain but don't turn into cancer if that is the question. |
|
Question: #1586
02/28/2003
|
|
Q: |
I am 35 and still nursing my 13 month old an average 3times per day. My husband and I would like to try for another child as soon as possible because of my age. I am ovulating despite the fact I am still nursing. I would like to nurse for a few more months if possible. I was told to get a screening mamogram at 35. What kind of a risk am I taking if I don't get it until after baby #2 and nursing baby# 2? Is there something I can do in addition to self exams that can reduce my risk? Or should we bite the bullet and hold off trying to get pregnant until after I have stoped nursing, and had a mamogram. Obviously my chances of being able to conceive will be decreasing. I have on aunt who was diagnosed with breast cancer. No sisters (I don't have one) and no cousins (I have lots) have been diagnosed. Thanks. |
| |
A: |
your breast cancer risk isn't very worrisome. talk with your gyn about it but probably he will be comfortable with you waiting for mammograms to start later. most women begin at age 40. if your mother and aunt both had breast cancer in their 30s or 40s then there would be more reason for concern. of course some irony here is that breast feeding helps t reduce your risk anyway. |
|
Question: #1587
02/28/2003
|
|
Q: |
Hello....I went for my yearly mammogram last week and the technician needed to do one veiw over again. Before I got dressed to leave the radiologist came to talk to me and said that he saw a 'dark area' on the edge, possibly dense tissue or maybe even a shadow from the inner part of the breast bone. He wants me to come back in six months for another mammo. Well......I am petrified.....so scared and preoccupied I don't think I can wait six months to go back. He said if you can't wait 6 months, then come back in 4!!! (Not much help) I am 41 and always had routine checkups. My biggest fear in life was always petrified to die and leave my two little boys motherless. The worrying is going to cause more problems than the mammo! (My mom died when I was 4, from something else, and I always feared having my sons live that kind of life like I did.) Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you... |
| |
A: |
fear of the unknown can truly paralyze us... no doubt about it. Your anxiety is clearly to high to wait. consider having your films re-read elsewhere by a radiologist who specializes in breast imaging. this individual can give you an opinion about how worrisome this abnormality is and might even recommend pursuiing investigating it now to put your mind at ease... |
|
Question: #1588
02/20/2003
|
|
Q: |
I,too, have been misled that only 20% of clustered calcifications are malignant. Now reading your site I realize that was talking about all findings. I am having a Mammotome next week and would like to know the answer to this question before Tuesday, the 25th. The only information from the special views mammogram that I can give you is clustered calcifications, not seen on last year's mammogram, Suspicious(4), biopsy recommended. When I asked the surgeon if the clusters were irregular in shape, she acted like I shouldn't buy trouble, that most of these are benign. When I persisted, it seems there was not a detailed radiological report in the file she had. Do you have a simple answer on percentages of clustered calcs that are malignant? Thanks. |
| |
A: |
if they categorized it as a "4" they are betting that it IS cancer--- and if it is probably very very early stage-- DCIS hopefully-- noninvasive breast cancer. so based on its appearance they are hedging their bets that it probably is. don't panic though... this is the value of mammography-- finding early stage cancer before we can even feel it on clinical breast exam. you have been smart to go annually for your mammograms. |
|
Question: #1589
02/19/2003
|
|
Q: |
I am sorry to keep bugging you I meant to ask this in my first question but I also wanted to know - I had a partial removal of my thyroid with a tumor that was benign when I was 12 years old. I had Hyperthyroidism I never took any type of medication and I have it checked yearly by my GP. I noticed that several studies though have been linked Thyroid Disease with Breast Cancer do you know of any sites I could go to, to read further on this? Thanks again you have helped me more than you know!
|
| |
A: |
I don't know of any sites that describe this link. some doctors have reported a link because of women having mantle radiation as a child for cancer that also zapped their breasts and thyroid which has resulted in 28% of them developing breast cancer (and/or thyroid cancer) as adult women. Both breast and thyroid are controlled by endocrine functioning. Thyroid seems to be increasingly common among women today too... some things remain a mystery. |
|
Question: #1590
02/19/2003
|
|
Q: |
Is there an advantage to going to the same physician for a mammogram as last year? What if nothing was found? I live in Vermont and want to stop seeing physicians allied to Fletcher Allen Health Care Hospital, because so many of their doctors and administrators have been found guilty of fraud? Dartmouth-Hitchcock has a hospital in a town only 40 miles away - they don't have the problems our local hospital has. |
| |
A: |
you need to feel confident in the health care providers taking care of you. It is okay to switch and pick up with a new doctor as long as that doctor has access to your old mammograms and any other breast imaging (ultrasound or MRI) that you may have done in the past. |
|