HELP!! Sjogren's and Breast Cancer????

[ktfabian]

I just received a post card of sorts from the organization that did my mammogram last week.  Now, understand, that it's 5:35 pm when this note arrives, too late to get in touch with my GYN, so I have to sit on it all weekend.

Here's the message: There is a finding on your mammogram that requires further evaluation.  You physician will explain these findings and provide you with the necessary information.

They have several other options that can be checked:

1. No significant abnormalities demonstrated.
2. There is a finding in the_____breast(s).  A follow up mammographic exam has been recommended by the radiologist in ___ months.
3. Because of the breast density related to the dense breast tissue,we would recommend follow up.


My option is last.

I always figured that, with everything else I have going on in my life, surely, breast cancer wouldn't be a worry, but I still go for my annual exams where they check things over quite well, and I try to remember to do monthly breast exams.

Has anyone ever been told anything like this after their mammogram?  Did it turn out to be anything big?  I assume we have the same rate of breast cancer as a non-Sjs person, right?
Would receiving the rituxan infusions increase the chance of breast cancer?  I didn't read that in any of the things I read about it, but who knows these days with medicines.

If anyone knows anything about getting this type of message following a mammogram, please let me know.  I'm going to be going absolutely nuts til I can reach my doctor on Monday, almost 3 days from now.

Thanks, Tracy

[loisellenatkins]

you could ask to be parch to your doctors service and if he is on call you can raise your concerns and possibly get the first appointment on Monday.

[Pooh]

Tracy dear, please don't worry yourself sick over this.  I can tell you that I've been called back 3 times and they only problem was with the films.  They did them over, checked them out and I was free to leave. 

I know you will still worry, but do try not to go nuts!     If it were something really serious, you would have received a phone call, not a postcard.  Sometimes people are harsh, but I don't think in this situation they would be.  Please let us know what happened. 

Good Luck and please try to have a nice weekend.

Hugs and God Bless,
Pooh

[Scottietottie]

Hi Tracy

I haven't had this happen after a mammogram but I've had it happen after a smear test - twice. The waiting is the worst. I hope, like me, you find they are in error and everything is actually fine.

Take care - Scottie 

[Cheryl]

Tracy,
   There should be a Murphy's Law to cover health tests:   "Results of inconclusive tests will always arrive on Friday afternoon!"    I've had the same thing happen, and it can really mess up your weekend.   I don't know of any correlation of breast cancer to Sjogren's or Rituxan.  Listen to Scottie and Pooh and Lois.   I know you are concerned, but women have mammograms redone all the time just because an image isn't perfect.   More than likely, you are fine.   Try to stay busy (read a book, maybe) to get you through the weekend.   Hang in there!
Cheryl

[aprildawn]

It usually means they cannot see everything they need to.  They will probably schedule another mammogram and try to get a better picture.  I hope this helps but I know how you feel.  Try not to assume the worst, but that is easy for me to say.  good luck!   April

[irish]

Tracy, Been there, done that, two times. I just had the mammo this winter and I got a call that asked me to come in for an ultra sound of the breast the next day. I just didn't worry about it as I had it happen one other time. I have very dense breasts, plus I have one very lumpy and sore breast that I think has autoimmune swelling going on and has for years.

The ultra sound showed that it was a lymph node. I need to get back to my GP and have the exam again to see what he feels, etc. It is a worry but I have just quit worrying as I have had many, many mammo's since mid 60's as I had lumps back then. Once a lump is there it is a matter of having things ruled out.

If it is cancer all we can do is what the docs tell us. Worrying makes no difference at all. I sound sort of callus but I am not. I just worried so much when I was younger and now that I am older I could kick myself for all the lost sleep I caused myself. Let us know how it comes out. Irish

[Kathy1958]

Hi Tracy,
Please try not to worry to much.  I went through the same thing last year and it turned to be nothing.  I have large thick breasts and they did not get a good image the first go around so they redid the mamo and they did an ultrasound and all was ok.  Just try not to worry to much about it until you talk with your doctor and he tells you what to do ok.  I will have you in my prayers.

Hugs,
Kathy

[Katybarstool]

Hi Tracy

I just wondered if you take hrt, as this can make your brast tissue denser.

Hugs
Kathyx

[Magick]

I just received a post card of sorts from the organization that did my mammogram last week.  Now, understand, that it's 5:35 pm when this note arrives, too late to get in touch with my GYN, so I have to sit on it all weekend.

Here's the message: There is a finding on your mammogram that requires further evaluation.  You physician will explain these findings and provide you with the necessary information.

They have several other options that can be checked:

1. No significant abnormalities demonstrated.
2. There is a finding in the_____breast(s).  A follow up mammographic exam has been recommended by the radiologist in ___ months.
3. Because of the breast density related to the dense breast tissue,we would recommend follow up.


My option is last.

I always figured that, with everything else I have going on in my life, surely, breast cancer wouldn't be a worry, but I still go for my annual exams where they check things over quite well, and I try to remember to do monthly breast exams.

Has anyone ever been told anything like this after their mammogram?  Did it turn out to be anything big?  I assume we have the same rate of breast cancer as a non-Sjs person, right?
Would receiving the rituxan infusions increase the chance of breast cancer?  I didn't read that in any of the things I read about it, but who knows these days with medicines.

If anyone knows anything about getting this type of message following a mammogram, please let me know.  I'm going to be going absolutely nuts til I can reach my doctor on Monday, almost 3 days from now.

Thanks, Tracy

I had the same experience a month ago.  My job had a health day and provided  the opportunity for a mammogram and I took it .  I got a phone call where they told me that they saw masses and my primary care physician got a note that said that they had seen irregularities (but his note was clearer and said that they did not see cancer evidence).  They recommended that I do a sonogram.  The sonogram detected cycsts, which I am going to have tested.  A sample is taken and sent to a lab to make sure the fluid in the cyst does not contain cancer cells.  Tracy, I hope everything turns out okay -- the only thing I can think of is that if you got a post card, and not a phone call, I think the radiologist has not seen anything full blown.  But get checked - with the havoc Sjogren's plays with our bodies, it is better to check and be safe and preventive.  My mom and aunt had benign, little lumps of fat removed, and my understanding is that as our bodies age, cycsts do make an appearance.

Regards, and wishing you all the best,
Rosie

[eyeamdry]

Please try not to worry too much.  It's true that 80% of all breast lumps are NOT cancerous.  So, that's on your side.
Also if it IS something, they caught it early and that's the KEY to cancer survival.  Just keep us informed.  Do you have a good cancer center in your area.  If you need further tests/treatment try to get a breast specialist.  Lucy

[DonnaW321]

It's happened to me at least three times.

Basically, there's a part of you they didn't get a clear picture of so they take you back in and squish you some more and then take another picture of that area.

Everytime I've ever had a mammo where I thought  "geesh, that wasn't so bad after all and didn't hurt as much as the last one" I've gotten called back in for the same reason as you.

I had a mammo earlier this month, it hurt more than any I had ever had...but guess what? Didn't get called back in for more pictures!