I have just gone through a long breast cancer scare the last couple of months but I was extremely lucky in that the lumpectomy revealed my mass was not a cancer. However, I was terrified for more than three months and I am wondering if the fear was worth it and also if the radiation from mammograms is safe or is it another source of problems? I ask this because my suspicious mass was back against the breast wall so the radiologist had a very hard time finding the right area to target the wire for the excisional biopsy. In all, it took her over one hour and I had 12 mammogram pictures before she found the right spot for the wire.
I am just so upset because I feel if I didn't have the cancer this time, I sure will the next from all the radiation they are exposing me to. Is this unrealistic of me? I feel I try so hard to take care of myself but I end up with problems from the medical care part. I also have a huge, sore incision and scar which is a constant reminder of this miserable ordeal.
Do you ladies think it is best to continue with these mammograms? I just am so confused.
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Sue-61 Joined: May 2009 Posts: 378 |
Nov 2, 2009 04:49 pm
Sue-61 wrote:
I beleive there is very little radiation exposure from a mammo. Are you getting a digital one or the old fashioned pancake makers? I hated those ..........How about the doc doing an ultrasound? Sue-61
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leaf Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 6,303 |
Nov 2, 2009 05:45 pm, edited Nov 2, 2009 05:49 PM
by leaf
leaf wrote:
On one hand, they have found no safe exposure to radiation. That means they have not found a lower dose of radiation where there is no effects.
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baywatcher Joined: Nov 2008 Posts: 438 |
Nov 3, 2009 08:03 pm
baywatcher wrote:
I no longer have breasts but knowing what I know now and if I could do a redo, I would never do mammograms again as a routine procedure. If I found a lump, I wouldn't be stupid and I would have it checked. |
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sandyincali
Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 5 |
Feb 20, 2010 01:20 am sandyincalifornia wrote: Coffeelatte, YES, you do want more mammograms. My DCIS was discovered by mammogram, never felt a thing. I am going through alot of anxiety right now as I am scheduled for my 4th mam mo since my surgery 17 mos. ago. Talked to my oncologist about MRI vs Mammo, concerned about the radiation. She told me the radiation really is minimal and that MRI's often show things that are not cancer but the women end up going through subsequent biopsies because the films can't specify what is there. A whole lot of stress for nothing. So I say YES, keep those mammos coming. Hang in there, I know it's scary. It will always be. But like I have just discovered, there are alot of us to count on for support. |
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