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Original poster

How soon can you get breast cancer after a clear scan?

27 replies

Moonberri · 22/08/2023 11:34

I had breast cancer a few years ago. Non-invasive but high grade DCIS which was successfully treated by a single mastectomy.

I have yearly mammograms and MRIs and had my most recent one 2 months ago. Last month I started to get really bad breast pain and a swollen area. This is the main symptom I had when I had BC the first time. I went to the breast clinic and had an ultrasound. They couldn't see anything, it all looked fine. They said it would be very unlikely to have developed anything in the 2 months since my last tests.

But I'm still worried about it as the symptoms are the same as last time. Surely its not possible to develop BC so quickly after these recent tests? I can't tell if I'm just being overly anxious due to the trauma of what happened before or if I'm right to be concerned. I can't get it out of my mind and I'm getting really stressed about it.

OP posts:
Original poster
Moonberri · 22/08/2023 13:48

Anyone?

OP posts:
Acornsoup · 22/08/2023 13:54

Didn't want to read and run. I have no idea OP. Someone who knows will be along soon. Here for a hand hold Flowers

MintJulia · 22/08/2023 13:55

I don't know. There are different forms of BC and I know at least one is difficult to spot on a mammogram but clearer on an MRI. Also density of breast tissue makes it harder to spot - which generally affects younger women.

Fibrocystic breast disease has the symptoms you describe but isn't cancer.

There are lots of possibilities.

If you are genuinely worried I'd go back, tell them and push hard for a further check.

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WorriedMillie · 22/08/2023 14:00

I found a breast lump recently, which seemed to appear from nowhere, within weeks

Both my GP and the consultant at the clinic said that (with the exception of inflammatory breast cancer), “cancers don’t grow that quickly”

I also had pain and a lump and was found to have cysts

It’s great you have been checked out and I’m sure that your recent tests would have flagged anything, but please do go back for reassurance, as it’s horrible to live with the anxiety and uncertainty

jannier · 22/08/2023 14:16

I would push for more tests and also consider breast lymphoedema if you've had your lymph nodes removed. I had all nodes removed and get lymphoedema

My cancer was T neg which is fast growing and aggressive I was clear in February and had a lump in April so it's not impossible but as they have examined you it's unlikely.

RosemaryDill · 22/08/2023 14:20

My first symptom of breast cancer was pain. I had a mamogram about 10 months before, then found a lump. A very very tiny lump but it was found to be high grade and very aggressive.
They went back over my previous mammogram and could find noting so it seems it did grow quickly.
Trouble is since having a lumpectomy that breast hurts permanently. Could it be scar tissue like mine is?
All I can say is I wonder why they did US and not mammogram?

lljkk · 22/08/2023 14:36

It's virtually impossible that you were clear 2 months ago & now have a cancer so progressed that you are having major symptoms. Cancers don't progress like that in adults.

Have you looked at all the other reasons for getting sore boobs, and can you confidently rule them all out?

ByTheSea · 22/08/2023 15:25

lljkk · 22/08/2023 14:36

It's virtually impossible that you were clear 2 months ago & now have a cancer so progressed that you are having major symptoms. Cancers don't progress like that in adults.

Have you looked at all the other reasons for getting sore boobs, and can you confidently rule them all out?

I’m sorry but this is absolute nonsense!

OP, sincerely hope you don't have my experience of this. It can move very fast. I never had primary breast cancer. I had a clean mammo in December 2021. In February 2022, I started experiencing awful lower back and hip pain. After 7-8 weeks of strong painkillers from GP and religious doing of the prescribed physio exercises didn't relieve the pain, I started getting numbness when I urinated, and in late April 2022 my GP sent me to to A&E where after consultation with the spinal team I was admitted for an MRI. A subsequent CT scan showed a small lump deep in medicine my right breast (I had no breast symptoms) spread to one lymph node and widespread metastases in my spine and pelvis. The breast tissue was biopsied and it was breast cancer, already well progressed. The December mammogram has been reviewed and looked at by lots of experts and that lump was not there in December. It was very aggressive, grade 3, HER2+, but thanks to chemo, radiotherapy, and continuing targeted treatment I am stable and doing well, hoping I can deal with this as just another chronic illness.

lljkk · 22/08/2023 21:02

Ah well, let's all hope I've called it right for OP.

TwigTheWonderKid · 22/08/2023 21:09

I'd ask for an MRI, @Moonberri for reassurance, if nothing else.

Original poster
Moonberri · 22/08/2023 21:58

Thanks everyone. Seems like it might be worth repeating the MRI. They only did ultrasound last week because I had MRI and mammogram so recently.

But would it be crazy to have a repeat MRI only 3 months later and after a clear ultrasound? I can't tell if it's just my anxiety. The breast clinic seemed reassured enough.

OP posts:
Original poster
Moonberri · 22/08/2023 22:01

By the way I'm not worried about there being a lump as there definitely isn't one. I'm worried about it being DCIS as it is often only diagnosable by MRI. But I can't see that it could have developed from nothing in just 3 months. I'm not worried about a fast growing tumour as there is no lump or tumour.

OP posts:
Neverseenbefore · 22/08/2023 22:03

I had extensive invasive breast cancer - many tumours of many centimetres each - after a clear mammogram five months earlier. Mine was a recurrence of the breast cancer I’d had only the previous year.

Neverseenbefore · 22/08/2023 22:04

Meant to say, I had no lump/s.

RiverDulas · 22/08/2023 22:04

Hoping everything is okay.

Neverseenbefore · 22/08/2023 22:07

Scans can be very, very inaccurate. The chance of a mammogram seeing some types of cancer in dense breasts, even if there are large tumours, can be as low as about 10%.

Original poster
Moonberri · 22/08/2023 22:08

Thanks. There are definitely no tumours though. The ultrasound was completely clear last week. As was the mammogram and MRI 3 months ago.

OP posts:
CrazyArmadilloLady · 22/08/2023 22:08

Push for re-testing OP - I can’t believe anyone would come on a thread like this and dissuade you.

What’s the worst that could happen from re-testing and it being nothing?

And then - what’s the worst that could happen from not re-testing and it being something?

As an aside, I went to a breast surgeon about breast pain (strong family history).

He laughed at me, and basically mocked me for not knowing that breast cancer is never painful, and how could I not even know my own breasts? It was one of the most humiliating experiences of my life.

I came back all clear from scans, but I know multiple people whose first indication of breast cancer was pain, so to this day, I don’t know what he was talking about.

Neverseenbefore · 22/08/2023 22:13

Yes, pain was my only symptom of cancer. I’m absolutely sick of hearing that “pain isn’t a symptom of breast cancer” from doctors, consultants and others.

saveforthat · 22/08/2023 22:15

RosemaryDill · 22/08/2023 14:20

My first symptom of breast cancer was pain. I had a mamogram about 10 months before, then found a lump. A very very tiny lump but it was found to be high grade and very aggressive.
They went back over my previous mammogram and could find noting so it seems it did grow quickly.
Trouble is since having a lumpectomy that breast hurts permanently. Could it be scar tissue like mine is?
All I can say is I wonder why they did US and not mammogram?

My breast hurts permanently after a lumpectomy and I get bad cramp if I reach down (to tie shoe laces etc). Can I ask how you are sure that it's scar tissue?

jannier · 22/08/2023 22:47

Moonberri · 22/08/2023 22:01

By the way I'm not worried about there being a lump as there definitely isn't one. I'm worried about it being DCIS as it is often only diagnosable by MRI. But I can't see that it could have developed from nothing in just 3 months. I'm not worried about a fast growing tumour as there is no lump or tumour.

I think post treatment there is loads of anxiety and we go through a good few years of it have you been able to attend any courses like the hope courses they do help you deal with anxiety if you had an MRI so recently it really is very unlikely but go back and talk to someone who can help explain the risks to you.

jannier · 22/08/2023 22:50

saveforthat · 22/08/2023 22:15

My breast hurts permanently after a lumpectomy and I get bad cramp if I reach down (to tie shoe laces etc). Can I ask how you are sure that it's scar tissue?

Show quote history

My scar tissue hurt for at least 5 years now it's horrible to feel but I know it hasn't changed.....massage does help break scars down softening it, all you can do is get to know how your breast feels once you've had a mammogram or any check and look for differences.

jannier · 22/08/2023 22:50

Neverseenbefore · 22/08/2023 22:13

Yes, pain was my only symptom of cancer. I’m absolutely sick of hearing that “pain isn’t a symptom of breast cancer” from doctors, consultants and others.

Mine itched that's not a symptom either

RosemaryDill · 22/08/2023 22:56

@ByTheSea that's awful. I hope you are doing ok. Mine was also grade 3 HER2+ but I was very lucky according to the oncologist.
@saveforthat You can never be sure. I was diagnosed in 2019. Went back in 2021 about the pain and was checked and reassured. Mammograms have been clear. I do know a lot of women who had BC as I joined a local group and some of us became friends. Every single one says they have pain where they had surgery.

Original poster
Moonberri · 23/08/2023 08:22

I have emailed the breast clinic to see if they think a repeat MRI is appropriate.

At least if it is DCIS it is a slow growing cancer.

Just struggling not to feel overwhelmed with anxiety. I'm spending the day with my DC today and want to be able to enjoy it.

OP posts: