Mammogram recall following dent in breast

[gr1981]

Hi all,

Wondering about others who may have had a similar experience...

I'm 42, and recently discovered a dent in the lower outer part of my left breast. No idea how long it's been there, I regularly check by feeling but this was a chance spot on day after the shower. It's not puckered or dimpled, just a dent in the skin. It is obvious with my arms by my side but when I stretch my arms up it seems to flatten out almost entirely. I have sporadic low level aching breast pain on that side, as well as axillary breast tissue in the underarm area which I've had since I was a teenager. Ive always assumed the discomfort stems from that and hormonal changes through the month. I saw GP a consultant a couple of years ago who was unconcerned -they did a breast exam and was satisfied it was nothing with no further tests needed.

Skip to now, I've seen two consultants about the dent (crossover of private and NHS) both of whom did a thorough examination and were fully comfortable there was nothing palpable at all, and both were very clear that they were not concerned. Both recommended mammo to be sure, as you would expect. Mammo done, my first, now have recall for tomosynthesis (which I'm informed is a 3d mammo, rather than 2d, which gives more detailed imaging). The letter says "mammo was generally normal but with asymmetric density on the left with central shadow, this could be normal breast tissue"... Etc. no identification of lump or mass noted, just density.... Of course, I'm worried but also conscious of the fact that recalls are common, breast density in women under 50 is common and that a cancer diagnosis at my age is very much uncommon. Clearly however, given I'm writing this post, im obviously still worried!!! Any stories similar out there??!! TIA!!

Anyone?!

Hi
I was a bit older than you when I first found a dent in my breast. I was 53 and still having regular periods. I only noticed it one morning when I sat up in bed slightly ( sleeping naked ) and saw my breast which (flopped to one side ) and with a massive dent just next to the nipple, the inner part sort of cleavage area. If my breast was a whole flattened orange it Sort of looked like a segment / quadrant been removed from it.

Off I pop to the GP who says “hmmm let’s put you on the 2 week pathway, if you don’t hear anything in 2 weeks let me know”

4 weeks pass without an appointment and I’m too relaxed to do anything cos I’m that type of person and then I get an appointment. I do regularly check my breasts in the mirror and shower but the fact that this had come up literally overnight made me less worried.

long story short, the consultants were all doom and gloom at the breast clinic, the nurses were all giving me sympathetic looks, the mammogram was inconclusive but the ultrasound confirmed it was a large cyst which was drained and hasn’t come back since. The hollow is still there, the fatty mammary tissue hasn’t redistributed itself around the hole the cyst left behind, but with smallish breasts it’s not noticeable. I don’t care anyway !

I’ve since gone through the menopause 2 years later, had a further regular routine mammogram and I think it was just hormonal.

hope this gives you some security in the fact our bodies do some wierd shit sometimes and that most of the time it’s ok.

Do you have private healthcare? If so, I would insist on an MRI rather than a mammogram to ensure nothing dodgy is going on. I had breast cancer when I was 30. Younger breasts are denser and my tumour didn't show up on a mammogram, only on MRI. Hopefully it's nothing bad, but you are obviously worried and doing the right thing. X

Thanks Tailfeather - I do have private but having looked into the tomosynthesis this type of mammogram is very new and sees through dense patches better than standard mammo. I did look into whether it sees lobular cancers too which it's much better at picking up... Will see how it goes and will ask the question when I'm there on weds. X

Goherdy thanks for sharing your story - this has definitely helped ease my mind!!! X

In case anyone finds this thread, I had the tomosynthesis mammogram today and they can't tell me anything right away. Images sent off, report drafted etc etc. informed that "it will potentially be another 2-3 weeks for results and next steps or possibly sooner". So I'm still none the wiser yet! Anyone had similar?! Would I have been sent for ultrasound and biopsy right away if it looked particularly concerning?!

Hi - I don't know the answer to your question about the process, but just wanted to say I had a similar debt and it turned out to be fine. It's good that you are having it thoroughly checked out.

Thanks for info - the worst bit is always not knowing isn't it?! I had a lump checked out in my in my late 20's but got all of the results far more quickly than this time... I was seen for ultrasound and biopsy within 10 days of seeing the GP, and had the biopsy results phoned through 5 days later confirming it was a fibroadenoma and nothing to worry about. There was no question at the time as to whether it needed a biopsy though, I guess as it was a clear lump, whereas this has given no cause for concern on consultant examination...I'm assuming (hoping?!) it could just be where I've put on a lot of weight recently and have cellulite looking patches on my already big boobs!!

By way of an update....this continues! The result of the tomosynthesis was reported as normal, I got a letter confirming this, but also that the multi disciplinary team met and I have been recommended for ultrasound too. I double checked with the consultant secretary who confirmed this was due to the fact I went in with a symptom (dent) and the ultrasound was not coded as urgent, but is being undertaken to leave no stone unturned. I have the appointment tomorrow morning and hope I can be told the outcome on the spot rather than having to wait any longer. It's actually been over 3 months from when I saw the GP to get to this point so I'm hoping that nothing has been glaringly worrying along the way!

Hi, @gr1981
I hope all goes well with your ultrasound, but I would be surprised if you got the results on the day, unless a consultant is free at the time to give them to you.
It's good that they're being thorough, but the constant waiting for various results is incredibly stressful.
Tomosynthesis is a very accurate diagnostic tool, please try not to worry too much.
(I'm 5 years clear now from an aggressive breast cancer that was picked up, with no symptoms, on my very first mammogram)

Thanks so much for your reply - and so glad to hear you're 5 years clear!!!
I'm certainly feeling lucky that this process is thorough...I guess I'm hoping there's just a "nothing to see here" kind of situation tomorrow, particularly as there hasn't been a distinct lump or area of concern visualised at any point yet.....I'll be sure to update after the appointment tomorrow ...I have found the threads with full outcomes added to be incredibly useful!

Final update - the ultrasound today showed that the density was normal breast tissue, nothing of concern and that the dent was just a random dent, not caused by anything specific. I'm now discharged and can put it all behind me.

Thanks for adding the updates. It is helpful :)

Hope its useful for you :)

I was actually also called back for a follow up consultant appointment 6 months later (in April this year) for a final and thorough physical breast examination, at which point the consultant was happy they couldn't feel any anomalies and they then discharged me. She said that the fact there was nothing to feel after the 6 month period was the final bit of the assessment she wanted to review, to be absolutely certain nothing had been missed.