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Concerned Pre-cancerous calcifications found in mum's breast

worriedson7
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Hi All,

My mother was diagnosed with pre-cancerous calcifications in her breast for which ishe had a lumpectomy, upon results she was that told more were found around the initial site/area so she was sent for a mri scan which found more in her lypth nodes under her arm, they took a biopsy and are now sending her for a bone & CT scan.

I am no expert but would her consultant be going to these lenghs if they still thought they were pre-cancerous and not cancerous?

My concern is that I have tried speaking to my mother but she is being very vauge as we believe she doesnt want to worry us.

Any knowledge on this matter would be helpful?

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    Hi there

    sorry to hear about your mum. I was diagnosed with pre-cancer cells (DCIS) last year, like your mum, post op pathology showed invasive cancer amoung the DCIS. I also had to have a MRI just to make sure  the invasive cancer hadn’t spread outside the breasts. As a mum myself I think it’s up to your mum what she wants to tell you, I did not tell my son about the invasive cancer as I don’t want to worry him. Your mum is trying to protect you and deal with it in her own way, I think you should respect that choice and let her tell you what she wants you to know in her own time. In the meantime, offer as much support as you can, she’ll be worried so anything you can do to take her mind off things while she waits for tests/results would be very helpful. You could also mention this forum and encourage her to join. All us breast ladies would be more than happy to offer support/advice. x

  • Offline

    Hey [@worriedson7]‍ 

    I know it won't help much but I'm sorry you and yours are going through so much right now. 

    My own experience is finding a lump in one of the boys down there so your mileage may vary. When I reported to my Doctor, he couldn't find anything but still referred me for an Ultrasound just to be extra sure it's not something he missed. In the end, it really was a benign growth that required 0 action. My GP essentially took my work for an issue that he couldn't find and referred me for additional testing.

    So it might be the Medical Professionals are wanting to compile a Case (I call it case because that's what my company in me workplace calls long-standing or sensitive issues in regards to bugs or glitches in software) to figure out what's going on. 

    Ultimately I think the best thing you can do is just be there for her. Personally I'm a man wracked with Anxiety at the best of times and it's nice to be able to chat with someone who you care about just for no reason at all. It helps keep the mind off of things.

    I hope it goes well for your Mum and hope you guys here good news soon!

    Cheers

    Umali

  • Offline in reply to Magpiemaggie

    Thank you for replying,

    Of course I completely understand and support my mothers reasons for not wanting to unduly worry us. however I have so many questions but I don’t want to ask her, hence why I’m here.

    From your opinion/experience based on the fact that she is having these additional post op tests how likely is it that they have found some sort of cancer?

  • Offline in reply to worriedson7

    I’m not going to guess if your mum has/had invasive cancer it’s not something I would do.

    When they talk about pre cancer it is usually contained with the ducts or lobes,  the abnormal cells are contained and do not spread. However, if in the tissue then I guess, in theory, could spread to lymph nodes. Once it has spread outside the breast it is standard practice to look to see if there is any anywhere else in the body, hence the scans. This allows the doctors to not only stage it but know what treatment is required.  Although I went from stage 0 precancerous to stage 1 invasive cancer, my treatment plan did not change and my prognosis went from 100% down to 98% survival - breast cancer, although scary, is treatable with good results.

  • Offline in reply to Magpiemaggie

    Thank you, I really appreciate your explanation. I wish all the best with your treatment 

  • Offline in reply to worriedson7

    Thank you and fingers crossed that your mum gets a good outcome

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