Mammogram/breast health question

[Nathaniel Firethorn]

Hi, all,

Situation: An otherwise healthy American Caucasian woman in her late forties gets a mammogram, and is called back for a second one. What is the probability that there's Something Unpleasant happening?

I've gotten some numbers from googling, but nothing that answers exactly this question.

How could I find out?  Are there any forums where I could go?


Thanks,
- NF

[Derby FALs]

http://www.breastcancer.org/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php

More:

http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/

[The Rabbi]

The probablility is low.
I wonder why they didnt tell you what the issue was.  It could be almost anything from cysts to calcifications to breast cancer.  Cysts are fairly easy to take care of: they do a fine needle aspiration and that is usually the end of it.
Are there are other factors?  Is the woman overweight?  DOes she smoke?  Does she have a family history of breast cancer?  One can get cancer even without all these things of course but you are asking about likelihood.
But let's say the worst is the case and there is cancer there.  If it is localized then it is fairly easily treated with surgery and some chemotherapy.  If it has spread then there is still good treatment for it and breast cancer has had remarkable improvement in survivability over the last 20 years.
Overall I would be cautious but optimistic.

[Nathaniel Firethorn]

AFAICT, the only risk factors she has are that she's a bit overweight and never had kids. (Full list of risk factors here.)

I'm registered on the breastcancer.org board.

Thanks,
- NF.

[TarpleyG]

My stepmom (mom for all practical purposes--just not blood) was just diagnosed with very early stage breast cancer.  They are operating today and I'll probably get a call after lunch that everything is okay.  She starts radiation therapy in a couple of weeks too.  She was about to skip her exam and wait until next year.  Good thing she thought otherwise.  Not sure all this helps you or not, just passing it along.

Greg

[Nathaniel Firethorn]

Greg, thanks. I'll send a word up to the Big Guy about your stepmom.

- NF

[The Rabbi]

The mammogram will give the definitive or near definitive answer.  When is that scheduled for?
In the meantime no sense making yourself crazy over it.  There isnt anything you can do until then anyway.  I realize that isnt much comfort as I went through the same thing here.  But it is the best advice available.

[Nathaniel Firethorn]

Friday. Mebbe sooner if she can.

Thanks for the sage and thymely advice, Rabbi.

- NF

[The Rabbi]

What is your wife's first name(s) and her mother's first name(s) and I will say a chapter of Psalms for her.

[Nathaniel Firethorn]

Sent via PM. But it's Greg's stepmom who's in trouble, not Mrs. Firethorn's mom (who has been in the hands of the Lord for decades.)  But sent her mom's name as well by a second PM, in case it's needed.

Thanks, Rabbi!

- NF

[TarpleyG]

Thanks guys.  No call from my Dad yesterday so I guess all went well.  I'll place a call later this morning.

Greg

[Nathaniel Firethorn]

Rabbi, thanks for the psalm. It worked great. Got a call just now from Mrs. Firethorn. Just a couple whitish spots on the mammogram, nothing to worry about.

And thank you, Big Guy.

- NF

[The Rabbi]

Firethorn, there is no greater feeling than getting a negative result on a medical test.  Been there.  Done that.  Glad I could help.
Tell her to lose some weight, cut down on saturated fats, and increase fiber in her diet.  These will all help reduce chances for cancer.