stereotactic breast biopsy

The U.S. Institute of Medicine found that only about 60 percent of the women old enough to need regular mammograms get them.

Stereotactic breast biopsy takes calcifications and breast breast tissue to be studied under a microscope. This procedure uses x-rays to find the tissue to be removed. It may prevent the need for an open (surgical) biopsy.

The breast is pressed between two flat plates and a low-dose x-ray is taken. The x-ray helps find the exact tissue to be sampled. A needle is then guided to the biopsy area and removes several tiny samples of breast tissue. After the needle is removed, a small bandage is placed on the skin.

For my biopsy, they actually gave up because my calcifications would move everytime they tried to grab 'em. They would target the area and then not get what they were going after. They did get tissue and will see what the pathogist reports but I'll likely have to have a surgical biopsy. I may hear something from Dr. Placentra, my regular Doc, by Friday.

Wake Forest University Baptist is almost two hours one way, I've been down there 3 times now since Dec 2nd and sounds like I'll have to go back again.

COMPLAINT - They did inject some numbing stuff but it wasn't nearly enough, and I had to keep hollering for more. Why didn't they hit me up big time and then go at it? They couldn't get what they were going after and kept jabbing and jabbing, which I didn't want to interupt them but dang, knock out the feeling in that breast first! They were working high, near the armpit so maybe that had something to do with it. That jabbinging went on for over an hour. The doctor told me that this biopsy was very unusual (I'm thinking, of course, I'd be in the unusual category).

My outlook has been very good until enduring all that discomfort and it sounded like it was a waste of time. Unlike the photo above, they had me facing the wall, I could hear voices but could not see anything. They were very polite but they were frustrated too. I think two Drs, a resident, and radiologist assistant were in the room.

I'm feeling fine now at home but just a long day. Mike drove me down today, we stopped at a cafeteria near the hospital and got home at 7:00PM.

2008 sure has been a medical adventure for me, my ins company wishes I'd fall off a cliff.

I was recalled

The reason I am giving this info about myself is to encourage blogging gals to get annual mammograms. Odd's are, I don't even have cancer, but if I do, it will be in the early stages so I'll get the biopsy next Tuesday and go from there. I am 52yrs old, and cancer has murdered several precious family members of mine, so cancer is the enemy, I want you and I to always be prepared to beat it down. [That is not my breast above, mine is not that perky unfortunately]

Tues Dec 2, 2008 - I had a regular mammogram screen.

Thurs Dec 11, 2008 - I had a magnified mammogram.

Magnification views (enlarged mammograms of a particular part of the breast) are sometimes recommended to get a better picture of the quantity, shape, closeness, and arrangement of microcalcifications. If magnification views reveal additional smaller microcalcifications clustered with those visible on the regular mammogram, the likelihood of cancer increases. When suspicious microcalcifications appear on a mammogram, but no lump is felt, a needle localization biopsy is recommended, so that breast tissue can be removed and examined under a microscope by a pathologist.

Tues Dec 16, 2008 - Biopsy scheduled.

http://www1.wfubmc.edu/cancer/breastcare/

Annual Mammogram Screening

I drove down to Winston-Salem today, 1 1/2hrs away, and got my annual mammogram. Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center (WFUBMC), the Breast Care Center is part of the Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Our local hospital offers mammogram screening but WFUBMC is such a top-notch facilty that it was suggested to me that I go there and have I been going for years. I make a day of it, get the mammogram, treat my self to lunch, and do a little shopping (not much shopping available in Boone).

"Women age 40 and older should have a screening mammogram every year and should continue to do so for as long as they are in good health."

I have a couple of girlfriends that would not get mammograms due to exposing themselves to radiation but my doctor certainly encourages me to get them, plus breast cancer runs in my family on both sides.