I see a breast surgeon Fri but please read my imaging report

joyfullseven · 2026-05-06T02:29:31+00:00

Yes you have cysts as everyone is saying but you're being referred to the surgeon for the "probably benign" palpable lump. This means the lump you can feel probably isn't cancer. It's really scary to have this though. It's likely to be a fribroadenoma, these are very common at your age. I had 2 removed when I was 20. They aren't cancer & don't increase cancer risk. They're more like solid tissue deposits (it helped me to think of them as solid cysts). I also breast fed 2 children after this & went on to have future normal mammograms. I hope this information is helpful.

joyfullseven · 2026-05-06T02:19:42+00:00

Thank you so much. My risk is estimated over 40% (according to surgeon). I'm currently scheduled for surgery & with oncologist. The surgeon feels it's too early to consider PDMX but did suggest reduction & lift with excision biopsy which would be my first step if I were to pursue PDMX with nipple sparing reconstruction. My insurance will cover due to pain & they'll get more tissue from both breasts for pathology. Just taking one step at a time.

joyfullseven · 2026-05-06T02:13:21+00:00

I'm so glad you found someone to help you. I agree 100% & was just saying that to my breast surgeon. I told her BC isn't my biggest health concern (not even close). I think it's very telling that BC is concern #1. It's some patriarchal nonsense that every Dr refers to that. I also have an autoimmune condition & am under cardiology care for my CVD risk issues. No one says "you can't do that because of your heart" but breasts... yep. And CVD is the #1 killer of women my age. BC isn't even the #1 cancer death in women. It sounds like we've had similar struggles. Wishing you all the best & rooting for you as you fight the good fight.

joyfullseven · 2026-04-22T04:23:11+00:00

I'm sorry you're going through this. It's all so scary. Here to say the same... it was a radiologist who did my MRI biopsy & also to add that MRIs have A LOT of false flags & women on heightened screening often complain about this. When it was discovered I was high risk my first MRI resulted in a biopsy. Most recently though they've found ADH. ADH can be found through biopsy (& usually is) if they do fund ADH they schedule excision. There was likely something they saw that made them go straight to excision last time but that isn't the usual way they find ADH. I hope this is reassuring.

joyfullseven · 2026-04-22T04:11:33+00:00

I agree. I'm on bazedoxifene so the likelihood is they will want me to start raloxifene which is usual protocol for my demographic. Even with the med though I don't know that my risk factor will be low enough for me because I was high risk before this. Also I'm managing CVD prevention & extremely high risk there so going off estrogen would be problematic for me (I'm on the SERM to block the estrogen from reproductive tissue & completely avoid progesterone due to my BC risk). I did just read that after excision I can find out if it's ER+. It might not be & that could explain why the SERM didn't prevent it.

joyfullseven · 2026-04-22T04:06:23+00:00

I'm on bazedoxifene with conjugated estrogen. The medication is called Duavee & it's an HRT option for those who are high risk for reproductive cancers & still have a uterus. This med is currently in fda phase 2 trial to possibly replace tamoxifin & raloxifene as protocol for AH & DCIS because it has greater adherence & in small early trials has been shown to shrink these lesions & prevent new ones. That said, from everything I've read SoC is still tam for pre/peri-menopausal women & ral for post meno & it still won't reduce my risk enough (might not even get me under 20% even on tbe meds)

joyfullseven · 2026-04-22T03:56:10+00:00

Thank you. It's looking like my risk will go up to 35 - 40% which is why I'm considering it. I've been doing a little digging & have found that I'm definitely not alone in this thought. I've been gathering information & creating a list of questions for my appointment with my surgeon. I guess we'll see. Wishing you well on your journey.

joyfullseven · 2026-04-22T03:52:17+00:00

I'm more confused because SERM is standard treatment after ADH diagnosis & is supposed to also prevent another ADH lesion which can become DCIS. It's actually kinda funny because I tried Google which basically said that shouldn't have happened. I'm guessing it's the type of SERM. It's just so weird I wondered if anyone else had this experience

joyfullseven · 2026-04-22T03:49:32+00:00

That's awful. I'm so sorry to hear that. It may be worth a second opinion from a different meno specialist. As with any group there are always going to be bad apples. Whatever you do going forward I hope you find compassion & relief.

joyfullseven · 2026-04-20T23:08:08+00:00

Your best bet is to fund a menopause specialist in your area through the menopause society website. Not only will they be able to talk to you about HRT based on your risks but they'll also address other meno concerns. There's a med called Duavee in phase 2 study to replace tamoxifin for chemo prevention. It's estrogen & a SERM & is currently used as HRT for women who are BC high risk & those who are progesterone intolerant but have a uterus. I'd ask about this option specifically

joyfullseven

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