06/13/2025
Recently my gynecologist referred me to a genetic counselor to assess my lifetime cancer risk based on my family history. Turns out, itās pretty high. Thankfully, my genetic testing came back negative, but despite that, I was told I needed to start getting annual breast MRIs and at 40, add in annual mammograms. Little did I know that my breast MRI would turn into a month-long saga of doctor appointments and anxiety. I knew that breast MRIs were very sensitive and therefore produce false positives, but I didnāt know that having small breasts (which I do!) could complicate matters.
I went into my MRI feeling empowered ā I was taking my health into my hands. When I got back my MRI results that indicated that I would need a follow-up mammogram/ultrasound + biopsy and if nothing showed up, Iād have to go back for an MRI-guided biopsy, I still remained relatively calm. I knew it was likely nothing. But then, when the radiologist called me to tell me that my mammogram and ultrasound showed nothing BUT that based on the MRI reading, I wouldnāt be a viable candidate for a biopsy, I lost it. She said that because of the location of the mass and the fact that my breast tissue was small, the MRI-guided biopsy simply wasnāt possible and recommended I wait six months to repeat the MRI and see if it changed. I wasnāt waiting.
(see comments for the rest!)
