MRI screening results.
Hello. New To the group here. I do have a healthy dose of health anxiety and my recent breast MRI results are not helping. I am a 41-year-old female with very depressed tissue and my mother had breast cancer at age 62. It was recommended due to my dense breast tissue to have the MRI. I had it done yesterday. With contrast, I was scared to death of the contrast, but made it through. They called me this morning with results, letting me know they found an area of enhancement in my left breast. I do have further testing scheduled, including a diagnostic, ultrasound and mammogram. I am scared to death and looking to possibly talk to others that have shared the same experience. I do not have the results in front of me as they are not available in my patient portal yet however, the nursing staff called me with the results this morning. She just indicated an area of enhancement. does this always mean malignancy from what I have done and read I feel like there’s a high chance that an area of enhancement, even though mine was labeled as small has a high chance of malignancy. If anyone is willing to share their thoughts on this, it would be appreciated. Thank you
Comments
-
Hi @letsgostate21, I'm sorry that you have to deal with the worry of a breast imaging callback. While imaging is good at finding breast abnormalities many of these are benign. MRIs are often used for those with dense breast tissue but because of their super sensitivity more than half of enhanced areas turn out to be nonmalignant (cyst, altered blood flow area, fibroadenoma.) A diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound are more reliable imaging indicators of a suspicious spot. Even then, many of these areas turn out to be something other than cancer after a biopsy which is the only way of knowing for sure.
The wait for the additional testing and results is difficult. Try to keep busy to keep your mind from dwelling on the worst possible outcome. Let us know how it goes. All the best.
1 -
thank you for the kind words. Yes. This was my first breast MRI. I had myself so worked up before hand and then go get the call the next day with the concern about this enhanced area was enough to throw my anxiety to a whole new level.
I get why the next step is the diagnostic US / Mamo but I feel like they are just going to have to biopsy it anyways. I am scared of the repeat contrast with the MRI as my chest and neck turned very red with it the first time.
I am doing a lot of praying, positive self talk and trying to keep busy but this is very tough. I know it is not just tough on me but tough on anyone is this position.1 -
Welcome, @letsgostate21, we're so sorry you find yourself here! We know this is a stressful and worrying experience. As maggie15 said, it's helpful to try and stay busy and to keep your mind occupied, and to not jump to worst case scenario (difficult, we know!). Please do keep us posted on what you learn following the additional testing, we're here for you and thinking of you!
The Mods
1 -
Does anyone have any Suggestions for ways to keep the spiral from going off the charts while waiting for further test testing? I know there is no for sure way to make this happen, I’m trying to stay busy however, my mind just snaps back to “you potentially have cancer” and of course other worst case scenario thoughts
i am so scared. :(
0 -
Hi again @letsgostate21,
We're just checking back in with you - have you gotten your further testing and have you gotten any answers? Please let us know — We're thinking of you!
— The Mods
0
