Connecting moms in Polk County, Fla.
Breast Biopsy
I went for my yearly mammogram and had a bad feeling. They always find something they need to "look closer at". I was once told I had very dense breast tissue, and I heard that can make mammograms hard to read. Sometimes with the new "digital" mammograms they see a lot more that they couldn't see before, so they did a more focused mammo, and still saw stuff. Next step was an MRI and I was told that even if they didn't find anything, they still wanted me to do a biopsy because of what they saw on the mammos. They saw stuff on the MRI too.
A year and a half ago I had my first biopsies. This time it's the other breast and they are calling it a "calcification" which can sometimes be cancerous. Last time, (after the results of the biopsy came back) they called it something else. I "googled" it at the time, and found that people who get those types of cysts are at a slightly higher risk for breast cancer. Growing up on Long Island, I knew I was at higher risk already. When I was little they used to say that it was one in three woman on LI gets it. I would guess that stat has gone up some due to advances in detection, etc. Also, my mom had cancer, and she started out with a lot of biopsies like me. She was older (past 60) when she got it, so the risk factor isn't as high as it could be. My sister is older than me (48) and has had at least one biopsy, and is cancer free so far.
So, they are recommending a biopsy again, but they want me to go to a breast surgeon, instead of having it done right in the office like last time. They said I can go to Dr. Dupont at Watson or Dr. Pendas Lakeland Regional Cancer Center. Anyone have experience with either one? I am leaning toward Watson, since most of my docs are Watson (except I am currently a Lakeland OBGYN patient).
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Maryann Dodd on -
I am a patient at Lakeland Regional Cancer Center and I am familiar with Dr. Pendas...not my doc...I had ovarian cancer but...I can tell you...THIS IS THE PLACE YOU WANT TO BE. Nothing against Watson...but I doctored at both places and my GYN from Watson, who started my surgery, had the oncologist from LRCC come in and finish my hysterectomy because of the cancer found during the surgery...so...I, personally, would opt for the Cancer Center...they do research there, they do accept all kinds of insurance...and they are certainly experts. They are kind, the atmosphere is very relaxing, which is helpful in these situations. JMO, but this is where I want to be. I just finished my five-years there and now have graduated to once a year checkups. I LOVE them all there.
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Permalink Reply by Shawn Spivey on -
Jmarr,
Lucky me I can't offer you any personal experience but I've heard rave and wonderful things about the Cancer Center Maryann mentioned.
Please know you have my thoughts and heaps of wishes of great news coming your way. :)
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Permalink Reply by Penny Jones on
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I am new to this site. I have 6 wonderful children. Five still live at home. I just recently had to go through a breast biopsy. They called it a double biopsy because they took two different types of samples from the same area of the breast was a 2.5 hour procedure. I used Dr. Pendes, She was very sweet and explained to me everything that was going to be taken place. My procedure was performed at the women's imaging center there on Lakeland Hills. They saw the same calcifications I had back in 2008, but this time they had increased in number and size so they wanted to check them out further.
I have a higher cancer risk also because we carry a cancer gene and my maternal aunt passed away from breast cancer at an early age. I turned very bruised and actually got an infection in that breast and on some antibiotics.
I pray that everything will turn out well with you! I get my results next week so keep your fingers crossed all turns out well. I am a little nervous.
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Permalink Reply by Jmarr on
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Penny, I had two different biopsies last time also, but it didn't take as long (one was needle aspiration, don't remember what the other one was). I was also quite bruised but healed up with no infection and a small scar.
Thanks for the responses so far. I will have you in my thoughts Penny!
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Permalink Reply by DS on
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I HIGHLY recommend Dr. Pendas. She did my breast needle biopsy about 2 years ago. She is absolutely wonderful. Her credentials are one thing to speak about (she's a smart cookie with a lot of experience/advanced training), but her bedside manner is incredibly comforting. I was so nervous about the whole procedure (this was a first for me) and she is just so down to earth. She helped me to stay at complete ease the entire time and explained everything she was doing. She talks to you like you're a HUMAN and not just a number. That meant a lot to me.
Wishing the best for you, no matter which doctor you decide on. (BTW, Dr. Pendas came highly recommended to me by Dr. Puretz at Lakeland OB GYN. I have always trusted his word and he was right on again in this case.) God Bless.
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Permalink Reply by 1 tired mommy on
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Jmarr,
I m so sorry you are having to go thru this, the un-answered questions are the worst, I did have a cancer scare not too long ago and thank goodness the biopsy came back ok. I just lost a friend to breast cancer and it was a very long and hard experience. Although Watson Clinic does get so much attention in this town, I wouldn't take my dog there, but the Cancer Center that Maryann is talking about is wonderful, everyone that I have talked to and from personal experience (cervical not breast) they were great! I felt like hearded cattle at the Watson Clinic office and they were not as personable,with something like cancer there are certain ways you should handle a patient, rather than matter a facting everything, which is what Watson Clinic did, and it made me feel lost. I hope everything works out for the best. praying for some good test results!
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