Understanding Excisional Biopsies: A Guide for Breast Health

Question
Hello.  I am 36 years old.  My maternal Aunt and fraternal grandmother have both had breast cancer.  Two years back I found a thick, hardened area in my left breast.  I went to my doctor and he ordered a mammogram, it came up normal.  We followed up with a breast MRI and it showed no suspicious mass but benign appearing lymph nodes with fatty hila in the left and right axilia (from report).   I had another mammogram a year later done with ultrasound the following year and came up normal (as extremely dense hetergoenous fibroglandular tissue bilaterally and no distortion).  Followed up with ultrasound that showed diffuse dense fibrous tissue and no discrete mass- benign findings.   I recently moved and had to find new practitioner and had a referral to a general surgeon since they don't do mammo's in house.  When I went to the general surgeon to get a routine mammogram she looked at my old reports, performed an exam and told me she wants a diagnostic mammogram/ultrasound and a excisional biopsy.  She said it should have been taken out a long time ago, she said it can hide masses underneath.  She said she does not think it is cancer, but wants to get the biopsy to confirm.  I went two years everyone saying it is nothing and it is fine and all of a sudden someone wants it removed.  Do you think I should get a second opinion?  I'm very concerned regardless.  What do you think?  Thank you.

Answer
Honestly with that family history and with these dense breasts of yours where anything can hide I'm surprised that that had not already been done even though I may have accepted just needle biopsies together with new MRI scans. So I at least have no objections! I fully agree with your doctor! Good luck!






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