Birads 5 with calcification
I’ve been hesitant to post because I didn’t want reality to set it but here I am. I’m a 33 year mother of 3, youngest is 6. Just like most of the ppl in the group, It all started with me noticing a lump. I took action almost immediately. I made an appointment to see my primary doctor which took me 2 weeks to get in. I cried and cried and cried some more the whole 2 weeks. I literally feel into a depression. Thought I would have a stroke. I began to have fatigue, upper back pain, constant burping, and a change in my bowl moment. Finally, my appointment comes. She did a breast exam and said she was sure it was fibrocystic breast. Told me I had nothing to worry about, ordered a mammogram and ultrasound for 2 weeks later (more waiting). I got my imaging done and my dr called me the same day and delivered the bad news. Mammogram results are Birads 5 and calcification. Given my age, family history, and what she felt during the exam, even she had to admit it was shocker. Now i have to go through all the biopsy and more test. I have so much fear that my cancer is in an advanced stage because of the fatigue, back pain, burping, and constipation. It’s hard to distinguish if these symptoms are associated with the cancer or the anxiety. None of it started until I found the lump and began to become hysterical. Another thing that makes me fear it’s an advanced stage is due to the fact that I had a breast reduction 12 years ago. My ducts are cut so there is no leakage. Because to my reduction, nothing about my breast are normal leading me to worry if I could’ve missed the signs for years.
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Hi @lisat8228, I'm sorry that you are dealing with the stress of waiting for a biopsy and then the results. There is no way of knowing what you are dealing with so everyone imagines the worst. Even if a diagnosis is missed it doesn't mean the cancer will be at an advanced stage. Mine was missed for at least two and a half years (determined when past imaging was reviewed) and I was diagnosed at stage 2, still early stage. It's very hard to wait, especially when you have young children. Hopefully you'll get good news after the biopsy. All the best.
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Hi @lisat8228, and welcome to Breastcancer.org. We're so sorry for the worries that bring you here, but we're glad you've found us and decided to post. You can already see that we're all here for you and while it's hard to not worry, try to remain positive until you have more information.
Do you know when you'll be having your biopsy so that we can support you and send good thoughts?
Also here's some information on calcifications and BI-RADs.
No matter the result, we're here for you! Please keep us posted.
—The Mods
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Hello Lisa, we are all on this pathway together, and we're here to support each other. My cancer had originally been missed also, and here I am 12 years later.
Please know that calcifications could possibly be benign or early Stage 0 (Zero). Frankly most calcifications are benign and not associated with breast cancer, although certain patterns may indicate a risk for breast cancer, requiring further evaluation.... which is what you are undergoing. You've done nothing wrong, my dear.
Have you been given a date for further imaging or a biopsy?
Fatigue, back pain, burping and constipation could reasonably be caused by any one of various conditions. Please go easy on yourself until your medical team has had the opportunity to complete your workup.
On your past breast reduction surgery, please read details below.
BREAST CANCER AFTER REDUCTION MAMMOPLASTY: A POPULATION-BASED ANALYSIS OF INCIDENCE, TREATMENT AND SCREENING PATTERNS
2023
"Conclusions: Despite an increased frequency of breast cancer SCREENING, the incidence of BREAST CANCER IS LOWER AFTER REDUCTION MAMMOPLASTY compared with women who did not undergo breast reduction."
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10513359/"The idea behind breast reductions reducing breast cancer risk is two-fold...
• Less breast tissue means there’s less tissue that could become cancerous.
• Less dense tissue means screening tools like ultrasounds and mammograms will be more effective so you can detect any cancerous lesions in the early stages."Best Wishes to you and please let us know how you're doing.
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Thank you all so much for the empathy. It’s so warm and welcoming here. Since my original post, I’ve had two more doctor’s appointments. I followed up with my primary care physician, who reviewed the mammogram and ultrasound results with me. There are two masses in my left breast, one measuring 3.5 cm in the upper outer quadrant, and another 2.5 cm located behind the nipple. The larger mass has active blood flow, which makes it their primary concern.
My doctor referred me to a breast surgeon, whom I saw yesterday. He performed a physical breast exam and told me a biopsy was necessary. He mentioned that, while the mammogram and ultrasound look suspicious, there’s still a chance the masses could be benign. But at this point, I don’t want any more false hope.
It’s been over a month since I discovered the lump. I took action immediately, yet everything has been moving painfully slow. The surgeon initially wanted me to wait another two weeks for a biopsy but I refused! This waiting game is pure torture. I’ve been overwhelmed with anxiety, and during that appointment, my blood pressure was 174/120.
I’ve tried to be patient, but I feel like the seriousness of my situation is being dismissed because of my age. If I hear “you’re young” one more time, I might break down. I’ve already come to terms with the possibility that this could be cancer. I’ve known deep down from the beginning. Even when my doctor thought it was just fibrocystic breast changes, I didn’t feel right. It’s one of those moments where you just know.
My main concern now is starting treatment before anything spreads, if it hasn’t already. Two days ago, I started experiencing pain near my collarbone. There are pea size lumps there as well, which could indicate the cancer has reached nearby lymph nodes. Thankfully, after pushing hard and advocating for myself, they moved my biopsy up to this Friday.
It shouldn’t be this difficult to get care.
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Hi @lisat8228, I'm glad you have a biopsy scheduled this week. While it helps doctors decide if further steps are necessary imaging can't diagnose what an irregular mass is.
There is an awful lot of waiting involved since breast cancer does not grow that quickly. It is recommended that you have surgery within 90 days of diagnosis by biopsy. Most people get appointments sooner but studies have shown that amount of waiting causes no harm. I had to wait 8 weeks for surgery while I finished antibiotic treatment by pic line for an infected jawbone. You also have to make decisions about what kind of surgery/reconstruction you want and meet with other doctors. Everyone just wants to get the cancer out yesterday but you have a long life after surgery and you need time to weigh the options which will affect you in the future. It is good to advocate for yourself but sometimes the wait for better treatment is really worth it.
I don't blame you for being sick of everybody commenting on your age. I had the opposite problem of being asked why I was still working when most people my age were retired. During scheduling I had to remind some employees that if they accommodate the work schedule of a middle aged person it was age discrimination not to do the same for an older person with a job. People are probably trying to be sympathetic since it is tougher to be going through this with young children. You might be able to come up with some kind of catchy reply like "Cancer doesn't care."
Feel free to vent because we have all been through this process which seems to take forever. When you have a diagnosis and a follow up plan things actually seem more doable. There still is the chance that the mass is benign but if not you'll get information and support here. Let us know how it turns out.
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Hello again and congratulations on advocating for yourself. Yes, agreed that waiting for the unknown is difficult Maggie already gave you more superb advice above, but I wanted to pop in to also say I'll be thinking of you on Friday. Best wishes for a successful procedure with some quick biopsy results to follow your way. We appreciate your staying in touch because we care.
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@lisat8228 Your situation sounds a lot like mine (I was 41 at the time), which can be scary because I was diagnosed at stage 4. But, that was back in 2016 and I’m still doing well, so there’s that. When will you get the biopsy results?
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@illimae I had my biopsy yesterday. The doctor said it will take about a week to get the results. For me, it all started with just a lump—no discharge, no inverted nipple, no dimpling—nothing else. And then, within a week, I began to notice additional symptoms.
I’m terrified. None of this feels fair. Mentally, I know I’m not in a good place right now. The stress is overwhelming—my blood pressure proves it. I want so badly to believe that some of these new symptoms could be from the stress alone. The back pain and burping is gone. I’m not really fatigued anymore either. Just depressed and doped up on anxiety meds during the day and sleeping pills at night just to sleep.
Before all of this, I was happy, healthy, active, and full of energy. But since finding the lump, it feels like everything’s gone downhill. I cry all the time. I don’t want to do anything but lie in bed and grieve.
Did you sense yours was already stage 4 before being diagnosed? Did you have any secondary symptoms? And how did you cope once you knew for sure?
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@lisat8228 Yes, it was definitely stage 4 before I even suspected anything. I felt a lump on a Saturday (absolutely no signs, just out of nowhere), saw my doc and had a mammo and ultrasound that week, with a biopsy the following Tuesday. I lived in Houston, so I went to MD Anderson, where the did a CT and bone scan and found a spot on my hip bone, it was biopsied and positive for breast cancer, so that was that. About 20% are HER2+, more common in younger patients and the HER2 is known for fast growth and likely why finding a lump seems so sudden.
I absolutely lost my shit with that diagnosis, as if I only had a few months to live but after starting chemo, the lump was nearly gone in weeks. I still felt normal physically, so I realized that I could live with it, which I have for about 9 years so far.
We found a few spots in my brain 8 years ago and I’ve had brain surgery and several radiation treatments but those have all been manageable too. I did “medically retire” from my job, since my future was unknown and chemo brain cause some memory and concentration issues but I live a pretty normal life, just a bit slower due to my current chemo side effects.
It’s incredibly unfair but the bright side for me has been retiring young and now living in a cabin on a mountain top where everyday is the weekend. I don’t have kids but I do have a lot of sympathy for my husband, our family faces the fear, loss, anger too but can do nothing to fix it. It’s the worst right now but once you have a plan and see good results, it can become something you just live with.0 -
Thank you so much for getting back to me. I really admire your strength. Honestly, I think facing all of this would be so much easier if my kids weren’t in the picture. My youngest is only six, and she’s incredibly sensitive. She doesn’t know what’s going on, of course, but every so often she’ll ask me to promise I’ll never leave her. It breaks my heart to think that she could lose her mom at such a young age. Children need their mothers more than anything. no one will ever love them the way I do.
If this turns out to be stage 4, I’ll carry a lot of guilt for not catching it sooner. I don’t know if I have the strength to face years of uncertainty and fear, constantly wondering how much time I have left. Everyone around me believes I’m the strong one, but the truth is, I’m really struggling right now.
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Stage 4 is still the less likely scenario, try to remember that when you mind gets flooded with the “what if’s”. Also, I agree that it’s easier (for me, at least) without kids, those additional worries are A LOT but hopefully, if cancer is confirmed, it is lower stage and you can do the treatment and join the many that go on to recover and live a changed but full life. If not, I’m here and we are here. BCO has a great community, we are many and we have more good days than bad. Also, please don’t let yourself feel fault or guilt. Cancer sometimes just happens, cells go bad and your body fails you, it is sneaky and you can’t prevent what you don’t know.
Sending my best good vibes to you for the best possible results.0 -
Hang in there. I had a similar lump almost 5 years ago that was rated Birads 5. The bad news just kept coming for me (8 positive lymph nodes, Stage 3 Cancer!!), but (knock on wood), here I am almost 5 years later, living life to its fullest. Went to see the NP at my Oncologist's office last week and she looked at my chart and said "Wow, you really have gone through some extensive treatments!".. LOL
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@scaredme Thank you so much for giving me a sense of hope. Right now, I’m just praying that it’s somewhere between stages 1 and 3. I honestly don’t know how I’d handle a stage 4 diagnosis. I’ve been experiencing so many different symptoms, and it’s hard not to fear the worst. It feels like every other day brings something new that sends me into a full-blown panic. Lately, I’ve had leg cramps that started with my period, and I can’t help but worry about the possibility of bone metastases. I’m really hoping for answers soon (and good ones) before the stress completely overwhelms me.
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I totally get it. Statistically, less than 5% of all cases of breast cancer are stage 4 de novo, so the numbers are on your side. That said, I remember praying through that first whole body scan that they wouldn't find anything (and I am not a religious person).
Hopefully you get some answers soon. Unfortunately, the diagnosis/treatment plan can be slow to unfold. When I went in for my initial visit, I thought I'd just have a lumpectomy and radiation, but ended up going back for a bilateral mastectomy with a full axial dissection, 8 sessions of chemo and 25 sessions of radiation.. It was a wild ride but as I said, here I still am, so I'm glad that I threw everything I could at it. There's such peace in that.
Stay strong. My fingers are crossed that your biopsy comes back clean.. One of us deserves a break :)
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Just checking back in with an update. I went ahead and opened my biopsy report before talking to my doctor (probably too soon), but I needed to know. It confirms grade 2, ER-positive, PR-negative invasive ductal carcinoma. The HER2 status is still pending. The report also mentions skeletal muscle invasion, which sadly aligns with what I was already feeling. That the lump is deep and feels like it’s attached to my chest wall. Not sure if this would automatically put me at stage 4.
This whole experience feels like a nightmare that just won’t end and somehow, it keeps getting worse. I have a terrible feeling that the worst is still ahead. So far, every instinct I’ve had has been right. I can’t shake the thought that it’s already spread elsewhere. I’ve been having off-and-on back pain that feels like it's coming straight from my spine. My breathing feels off—like the air is thick—and I’ve had constant thigh pain and leg cramps for over a week.
It’s hard to understand how something that seemed to appear overnight could be this advanced. And if it’s been there longer than I realized… how could I have missed it? How could I have let it get this far? It’s such a heavy, bitter pill to swallow. No matter what I do, I don’t think I’ll ever fully be at peace with this. My mind keeps going to my babies. Why me?
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@lisat8228 Ive been checking for your update and while it sucks, you do have some answers and that’s better than not knowing.
I hope you don’t mind me making a few points but I just feel like it needs to be said. First, I don’t know if the chest wall is considered stage 4 but a CT body and or bone scan will provide the info. It’s best not to go there, mentally, if you can help it. Second, since your lump appeared so suddenly, I suspect it will be HER2+. But, these days and being ER/PR-, this is actually a good thing. Anti HER2 treatments have changed the cancer game and many more are currently in trials. Finally, you didn’t “let it get this far”, it can happen without symptoms. It’s bullshit and unfair. Be shocked, sad, angry but not guilty. Please know that I don’t mean to sound like I know it all, I don’t but what your going through is just nearly identical to my diagnosis, your post takes me right back and I feel it so hard. No words make any of this better but I’m thinking of you and your family. Things are going get hard but you can get through it.
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@illimae I truly appreciate your responses. I was looking forward to hearing from you just as much as you were anticipating my update. It’s such a relief to connect with someone who not only shares a similar diagnosis but also understands exactly how this feel and has come out on the other side. You've beaten the odds, and that gives me so much hope.
If I had to sum up everything I’ve been feeling in one word, it would be “helpless.” That’s how I’ve felt. But hearing from you is helping shift that. I already feel a little better, not nearly as emotional as I was just a few weeks ago.
I’m expecting another call from my breast surgeon this week. He’s setting up my oncologist referral & ordering a breast MRI and additional imaging to check my lymph nodes. From what I understand, the MRI will show how far the tumor has spread into the muscle, and depending on those results, he says I may need to begin treatment before moving forward with surgery. I probably should’ve asked more questions, but honestly, everything was such a blur. I think I was still in shock.
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If it is HER2+, the usual protocol is an anti HER2 targeted therapy of Herceptin and Perjeta with a chemo or possibly Enhertu, which is a combo. It’s a really interesting drug, I’ve been on it for 3 years so far. After that is surgery, assuming it hasn’t spread or only minimally (oligometastic) and finally breast radiation. The entire process is about 9 months. I worked at the time but found it fairly easy to fit into my schedule and the doctors and nurses were all pretty cool about working around my obligations, they understand people have bills to pay and kids to care for. I’m glad you feel a bit better. I doom googled too much after my biopsy but speculation was not my friend. Now, I recommend a favorite treat and something that makes you laugh.
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@illimae Thank you so much for taking the time to share all of this. You don’t understand how much this means. it really helps to hear from someone who’s been through it. Your explanation makes everything a lot clearer, and I appreciate your honesty and encouragement. I’ll definitely try to stay away from the doom googling and take your advice about treats and laughter to heart
Actually, I’m already one step ahead on the treat front. I just got back from Crumbl Cookie 🍪😄 So I’m off to a good start!😊
I’ll keep my post updated as things unfold. Wishing you continued strength and good health on your journey. Thanks again 💛
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I am so sorry that this news was released to your portal right before the holiday weekend. From what I know, involvement of the chest wall is Stage 3.
As far as treatment for PR+/ER+ and stage 3, I was given surgery first, but this will depend on your HER2 status. I also suspect that if they has known that I was stage 3 from the onset, they would have done chemo first. The chemo combination I has was AC/T.. It was aggressive, but those anti-nausea drugs work really well and I was able to keep working during the treatment. Your chemo combination will also depend on what they find in your lymph nodes if they decide to do surgery first.
I found everything to be easier once a plan was in place. The point that you are at right now is definitely the hardest. Hugs to you.
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Good Morning, you've been provided some excellent experienced guidance above. I cannot top that, but I will add that by taking baby steps, you can and will move forward, even though it's a steep learning curve. A very insightful and intelligent young woman with perseverance can do this.
Grade-2 tumors are more favorable than Grade-3. I recall reading during the pandemic where BC abutting the pectoralis muscles with confirmed surgical pathology chest wall invasion had been mainly high Grade-3 in one study.
The tumor's possible extension into the pectoralis major /minor muscles without involving underlying chest wall area usually does not change staging. Please be aware that involvement of pectoralis muscles alone is not considered chest wall invasion in staging. The chest wall also includes the sternum, ribs and intercostal muscles. American Joint Committee on Cancer stated chest wall invasion is stage IIIB, regardless of tumor size. Staging can get complicated, so time will tell. That's my understanding.
Your upcoming MRI will assess posterior enhancement & extension. Surgical management will want to obtain clear histologic margins for you.. Hugs 💜 best wishes as you move forward.
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Words often fall short when trying to express the depth of gratitude I feel, but I want you all to know just how much your presence, wisdom, and support have meant to me on this journey.
Your guidance has been more than just helpful advice. I’ve learned more from this group than I have on google. lol! You've not only shared your knowledge but also your hearts, and that has made all the difference.
When I got my biopsy results, my mom and I agreed not to share the news that the cancer was confirmed until we had all the information and a treatment plan in place. But I told her, “I have to give my girls in the group an update.” Honestly, I almost posted in here before I even called her, lol!
With that said, thank you! from the bottom of my heart. for standing beside me. For reminding me of my strength when I needed it most, and for showing me what true compassion looks like through your words. Whether you realize it or not, you guys are helping light the way through one of the toughest chapters of my life.
I have one other question…. This fatigue! Yall please tell me it will get better with treatment. I can’t seem to shake it. Or if you have any advice on how I can get some energy, I’m open to hear it.0 -
I remember having a lot of fatigue during the beginning before treatment started. I remember putting my head down and crying to my breast surgeon that I was so exhausted! The emotional side of the diagnosis is so draining. I was used to walking 3 miles a day, going to the gym 3x a week and doing yoga.
Try to get in some physical activity. You might have to push yourself. I was told by my breast surgeon that I would start to feel better once I had a plan in place. It was hard to understand what she meant but it was accurate!
The steroids given during chemo gave me a boost of energy. I continued to exercise and move during treatment and it helped so much.
I think it’s normal to have fatigue right now. Don’t be hard on yourself. Allow yourself the time to process the things happening to you. Then try to get up and start exercising. Best wishes moving forward 💕0 -
I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis. The treatments for cancer also cause fatigue. My cancer center offered free acupuncture to those in active treatment to help with the side effects of chemo and radiation. It was so helpful that I paid for it myself when I was no longer eligible for the complementary program.
Also, anemia is often caused by cancer and its treatments so having a CBC done would be a good idea. Iron supplements/infusions can help. When you are undergoing treatment your MO will be monitoring your bloodwork and doing what is possible to relieve your side effects.
Making changes in your life is usually necessary to live with the fatigue. I used family leave/half sick days to cut down on my work hours and extend the amount of sick leave I had. Focusing on what is really important (your children and your treatment) and getting help for the rest (cooking, cleaning, shopping, carpool) will help you get through this. It's hard to ask but if you make a specific request most people are glad to help.
I hope further testing keeps your diagnosis where it is and all goes as well as possible for you.
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@lisat8228 Happy to be one of your girls!
As for fatigue, I’m sure you are physically and emotionally exhausted but you will find a way to take it all in with wearing yourself down. Everyone who’s been here knows that there will be likely be more fatigue from chemo but steroids are your friend. I did my 1st 5k on chemo thank to steroids.
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Thank you again for your thoughtful advice. I do have the desire to do things, but I just can’t seem to find the energy to actually get up and go. Most of my time is spent inside, and when I do manage to step out, it doesn’t last long before I want to retreat back home.
Lately, I’ve been questioning whether it’s normal to feel like I just want to give up and die already. Mentally, I’ve started to accept the thought that cancer might actually take me out before the end of the year. I can feel myself declining physically, nothing seems to be working the way it should. I’m having leg cramps (although they’ve improved slightly), muscle pain around the tumor, and trouble breathing. The dark circles under my eyes aren’t listed as a breast cancer symptom, so I’m assuming they’re from stress. Every other day it’s something new.
I’ve even thought about going to the ER and asking to be admitted, because I feel that awful. What’s hard is that none of this started until I found the lump last month, so my family thinks it’s all in my head. But now I’m wondering could the signs have been there before and I just didn’t notice?
There’s a quote I once heard from a wise woman: “The mind plays a crucial role in the healing of the body. They must work in harmony. If one truly believes they are healed; walks, talks, and carries themselves as if they are, then the body will follow.” If that’s true, I’m afraid I’m not off to the best start.
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The fatigue creeps up gradually so you don’t really acknowledge it until it is severe. It has happened to me three times in the past four years. You think I would recognize it by now but it’s only after the root cause is found and treated that I notice how much better I feel and how badly fatigue was affecting my life. Sometimes doctors look for “the usual suspects,” anemia in my case, and don’t investigate further. Since last August my PCP and MO have been trying to do something about my fatigue with no success (more iron, more gabapentin, steroid injections in my joints.) In Feb sky high liver enzymes showed up on a routine CMP ordered by my endo. It turns out I have drug induced liver injury from a med I have been taking for several years. It was stopped and the enzyme levels are slowly coming down. The same thing happened when I was eventually diagnosed with radiation induced pulmonary fibrosis and with my initial diagnosis (an oral surgeon found my bc.) When they went back to check the tumor should have been caught on a mammogram callback two and a half years earlier. There were two bad reads on subsequent mammograms and my PCP at the time told me the unusual area of my breast was nothing since I had just had a clear mammogram the previous week.
Don’t blame yourself for not recognizing the problem; it’s easy to attribute fatigue to lack of sleep and being busy with your life. I didn’t question the medical professionals and like most people bc wasn’t on my radar since no relatives had it. Once you get a more definitive diagnosis after the MRI and there is a treatment plan in place things get better. It’s not easy but is doable. Illimae is likely making a good prediction that you are HER+. Even though that cancer grows quickly it is extremely treatable. You will most likely be around for a good while.
It’s tough to get the diagnosis on a holiday weekend. Things should start moving forward soon. Hang in there. Hugs for you.
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@lisat8228 I think the most likely cause for you generally non-cancery symptoms is stress, exhaustion and the idea that anything “off” is cancer related. I once told my oncologist that I was concerned about a sore thumb. I was politely told that thumb cancer isn’t really a thing. Turns out it was due to a grove in the steering wheel of a new car I’d just bought, lol, those things might happen early on, it’s normal.
Also normal is thinking death is right around the corner. I received the official stage 4 diagnosis about 6 weeks before my wedding anniversary and I insisted that my husband give me my present immediately because I really thought I might be dead by then. I get a good laugh at that all these years later but it seemed totally reasonable at the time.
What’s “all in your head” is legit worry but you’ll have to balance that with the very low probability of the worst case scenario. It takes time and you can expect your mind to be a bit of a mess until treatment is underway and you start seeing results.0 -
@illimae Thank you so much for this. I really needed to hear it. Everything you said: the overanalyzing every little symptom, the panic spirals, the feeling like death is just around the corner… it all resonates so much right now. It's oddly comforting to know that what feels like chaos in my head is actually a really common and normal reaction.
Your story about the thumb made me smile. it’s such a perfect example of how our minds go into overdrive when everything feels uncertain. And I really appreciate your honesty about those early days and how intense they were for you. Knowing that you’re years past that stage and able to laugh about some of it gives me a little thread of hope to hold onto. I’ll be so glad when I’m over the hardest part…
Sadly, I know I won’t be the last person to hear the words “you have cancer.” But I hold onto the hope that 15 or more years from now, I might be a source of comfort to a newly diagnosed, frightened mother. And maybe (just maybe) by then, there’ll be a cure. Wishful thinking, I know.
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