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ronnie29's avatar
ronnie29
Member
10 years ago

Think I may be a little peed off.... 'cos I copied and pasted a response I made

I found a lump in my left breast in mid Feb 2015, ( this was three weeks after my sister had a double mastectomy) booked in for a mammogram and had that on March 11... results came in around the 22 that said in bold type... no evidence of breast cancer... I remember the relief I felt 'cos I was a little concerned and thought just a cyst, I'll get it checked next time I go to the doctor ... three weeks later (by accident) I felt a change in the lump and booked in to see my GP, she sent me first for an ultrasound, then a fine needle biopsy ... results were a non-invasive breast cancer... next to the surgeon and the many tests and an operation later the results came back an invasive, aggressive breast cancer, triple negative. It was then six months of chemo and a double mastectomy that I will be having next month.

Believe me, I was having meltdown after meltdown...how could I go from no evidence of breast cancer to a non-invasive breast cancer to an invasive, aggressive breast cancer all within eight weeks!!

Think I will ever encourage any woman to have a mammogram, not likely, I will be telling her to get the ultrasound.

How many woman are not breast cancer awareness savvy and believe the results of her mammogram???

How many times do we have to hear of the mammogram not picking up the cancer and the ultrasound does.

Do I sound peed off... damn right.

Ronnie.

- See more at: https://www.bcna.org.au/online-network/members/angiesg/blog/breast-screens-are-so-important#/comments

5 Replies

  • Athena15's avatar
    Athena15
    Member
    10 years ago

    I agree with your rational to go for the Ulatrsound. I had a mammogram June last year and was asked back  on recall for left breast mass, (6 week turn around by the time I got to the recall appt) Turned out to be fibroid. November this year found lump and decided not to go the mammogram only option so paid for private mammogram and  added ultrasound. Best thing I did , mammogram showed no irregular mass, too high in the breast, ultrasound and biopsy resulted in invasive ductal carcinoma. Within 2 weeks had tests and operation. Obviously we all are different but I will always now suggest both screening options.

     

  • kris49's avatar
    kris49
    Member
    10 years ago

    I too believed that having yearly mammogram would detect any problems not so this year I rang when not having received my call up letter after ringing to be told they were to change me to two yearly.  Four months later found lump n my right breast, have now undergone right mastectomy and half way through chemo no picnic but better than alternative .

     

    good luck wishing you all the best 

  • ronnie29's avatar
    ronnie29
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi Karen,

    I have certainly used my experience to spread awareness, especially with the females of my family, and plan to spread the awareness further afield when I get off this bumpy road that I find myself on.

    Even though I am still 'peed off' I feel there was a reason that two sisters can get breast cancer within a couple of months of each other, one with positive receptors, the other negative. My sister went the radiation road, I the chemo.

    We both feel the same way, to spread awareness. 

    I did have a genetic test done and that came back negative for the Braca genes.

    Our voices will be heard... we are both determined of that although my brain is still a little 'foggy' to even think of how at the moment :) 

    Cheers

    Ronnie.

  • Cook65's avatar
    Cook65
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi Ronnie,

    unfortunately medicine is not an exact science and mistakes are made. It is imperative that people take responsibility for their health and if they feel that something isn't right, to then persist with getting it checked.  I think also that with bc we are quite often told one thing and when our pathology comes through we are told something different. Prior to surgery I was told that I would only need radiotherapy only to find out I needed chemo and herceptin. On this forum a lot of the ladies have had that happen.  I've also met a number of young women who have ended up with stage 4 as they were told they were too young to get breast cancer. I'm sorry that this has happened to you and you have every right to be feeling peed off. Use your experience to encourage others to get checked and follow up if something isn't right. I wish you all the very best. Karen xox