My Breast Cancer "Scare"

[Caption: Artwork belongs to the BC Screening Mammography Program]

I wanted to share some good news. I went through a breast biopsy Thursday morning and the doctor thinks what they found is a water cyst, not cancer. She was a bit perplexed because the cysts are/were hard to find on the ultrasound and said something had shown up on the mammogram that needed an investigation. She did indeed locate the cyst on the ultrasound and took a couple of tissue samples. She said the results were disappointingly poor in terms of the amount of tissue extracted. When she tried to take more samples, the cyst disappeared & could no longer be found on the ultrasound. This biopsy was done on one small cyst. After the biopsy procedure the doctor requested another mammogram to see if the cyst was detectable and it was not. Thank God for this good news!

Now they also said there are two other areas that show some kind of mass. One is deep inside my left breast and they could not do a core biopsy on that area as the needle is not long enough for that. The other area is the lymph node in the left armpit. My sister died of non-Hodgkins lymphoma and when I expressed concern the doctor said it was unlikely that a familial history of lymphoma was cause for concern. She said the small cyst which she biopsied is (was) of greater concern (no longer of concern post-biopsy). I have to go for follow up mammogram and ultrasound in January, 2009.

I had no real discomfort at all through the biopsy process and I praise God for that. I am especially grateful for having all this observation and evaluation concluded in the space of less than 2 weeks. Originally, I was not scheduled for mammogram until July 31st. Instead, the Lord moved everything at lightening speed to conclude the evaluation well before July 31st. God is good. And, I am His grateful, Joyful Servant.

Much love xoxox

Please, if you are a woman between the ages of 40-79, do not forget to get your breast mammography. Early detection of breast cancer gives the best chance of survival.

Advantage of Regular Screening Mammograms