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Breast Abnormalities and Other Symptoms
General questions about breast health and possible symptoms.
12,362 Ask a Question

AskedPublicly Submitted Question
2/16/2011I'm 33, had my first mammo/sono about a year ago. Mammo only showed dense breasts, but sono showed dilated retroareolar ducts, greater left than right as well as enlarged auxiliary lymph node 2.5cm. The radiologist recomended MR evaluation and consult w/breast surgeon. Breast surgeon did a punch biopsy for flakiness on left nipple. Results were benign. She said she didn't want to touch the auxiliary lymph node and didn't feel MRI was necessary. I am scheduled to have yearly mammo/sono again next week. Recently, I've had sharp twinges of pain in left breast and under left armpit. The lymph node is easily palpable. Also, if I try to sleep on my belly, my left breast feel funny, kind of like if I turned over onto my belly while I was breastfeeding. My question is should I be more insistent on having the breast MRI? Family history is my dad's 2 sisters and my dad's niece. Ages were 39, 40 and 70. My aunt died shortly after 2nd recurrence over 20 years. Thank you for your time.
RepliedJHU's Breast Center Reply
2/16/2011important that it be digital mammography and not (the old) analog film mammograms done. Am assuming that there was some abnormality that resulted in your getting mammogram at age 33. Even with a family history women don't start mammography at this age. Would be quite useful to visit with a genetics counselor and get a real evaluation of the degree of risk you have.ideally, one of the women who has had breast cancer already diagnosed and is living would get genetically tested. that can provide you a wealth of information regarding how to manage and monitor your own breast health.

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