Breast Cancer/abnormal mammo

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Expert: - 10/28/2007


Question
I am 36 years old, no history of breast cancer in my family. My OBGYN suggested I get my first mammo. She advises it for women between ages of 35-40. My first ammo came back abnormal due to my breasts being very dense. In my 2nd mammo they saw an "are of questioned pole spiculation" On spot compression it "was not particularly alarming but  they are sending me to get an ultrasound so that they can get more info. The said there is "no definite evidence of malignancy, however there are questionable  focal abnormalities" that ultrasound should investigate. What is low pole spiculation and focal abnormalities?I am freaking out.

Answer
These are just technical terms that MAY indicate - but not necessarily so - an increased malignancy risk and therefore warrant more examinations. DEMAND that your dr. also sends you for breast MRI scans since your breasts are dense and therefore not ideal for mammography alone! DEMAND also that these things seen are checked by needle biopsies! If these things are all done and show nothing dangerous you can feel pretty safe for the time being - but they show nothing - or almost so - with regards to the future. So this has to be repeated regularly even if nothing is found!

Breast Cancer

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Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D.

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I`m a doctor of medicine and a specialist in radiation therapy and medical oncology. I have long experience in diagnostics and treatment of breast tumours.

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I'm a Doctor of Medicine and specialist in Medical Oncology and Radiation Therapy educated & trained in Sweden. Now retired. Background in Radiation Therapy, Medical Oncology, Radiation Protection, Nuclear Medicine, Diagnostic Radiology, Gynecological Oncology, Clinical Pathology, Clinical Cytology,Hematology and Internal Medicine. M.D. from the faculty of medicine, Royal Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. Have also been an exchange student at the Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem Israel. Former medical consultant, Swedish National Board of Radiation Protection. Former Police Surgeon and Medical Examiner, Stockholm Police Department. Former Chief Medical Officer, The Royal Guards, The Royal Horse Guards and the Royal Household Brigade, Royal Swedish Army Medical Corps.You can also reach me on: http://www.lifestylerescue.com/expert/health-fitness-advice/dr-claes-gustaf/128 I have no restrictions on the number of questions there.

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I'm a medical doctor and specialist in medical oncology and radiation therapy.

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