Can radiologists tell from a scan if it is breast cancer?

When I first found my lump, my GP sent me for "mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy if indicated". The moment the radiologist came into the room and said he needed to do a biopsy I just knew it was cancer. I could have been wrong of course, but I think I knew the moment I found the lump anyway. That was ok though as it meant it didn't come as a shock when my GP rang me to tell me the bad news so I was already on the front foot with questions.

I think that a good, experienced radiologist can pretty much tell what's going on from the look of the mass but even the best can't confirm one way or the other without a tissue biopsy.

Of course a less competent radiologist is less likely to get it right. I've had that too. I was very ill in hospital during chemo and had several different scans during that time. The radiologists at the hospital (or one at least) was convinced I had mets in my spine and sent my poor husband (who was stressed enough at that time) into a frenzy. Neither he nor my treating doctors knew that I'd had a bone scan as part of my initial diagnosis and the spinal thing was just calcification. (Well he knew I'd had a scan but only that it was all clear - didn't put 2 and 2 together.) This was because I'd had that scan privately and only my surgeon and GP had the results. Sadly, everyone thought I was too ill to be bothered with the supposed bad news so no one mentioned it to me! I could have set them straight. In the end, I had to have an MRI, which of course showed it was harmless calcification. 

So the bottom line really is - you'll worry until you get the results. That's completely natural and normal. But do try to occupy your mind with other things as much as you can in that time. Shopping therapy is very helpful. And don't spend too much time with Dr Google as that will terrify you. If you must start researching, stick with the reliable sites like Macmillan and Cancer research UK. www.Breastcancer.org (USA) is also good and if you want to access research papers, the starting point is the National Institutes of Health in the US. www.nih.gov

Wishing you all the best. 

Lynn xx

I really do appreciate all your replies telling me your own experiences.it is an extremily personal and heartbreaking stories so Thankyou for sharing with me.feel as though my life is on pause.5 more sleeps and I will know (although as you have all said I think I know anyway).i am in the last year of my degree,have a wonderful 8 years old,amazing partner and family so plenty to keep me going.i am very lucky.thankyou xx

I found lump myself had strong suspicion from beginning despite people saying probably nothing when I had ultra sound she said there was a problem dr came and said he would take biopsy he said it was very likely cancer I had two lumps I went in to see another dr breast nurse was there and a date for mastectomy discussed just needed to go back to find out grade and type it was grade 3 tnbc it was a shock to be told same day this was 2years ago now so all treatment over just had chemo sentinel node was neg . Best wishes hope news isn't as bad as you think the waiting is the pits 

Hi Maxberg

Waiting for results does put your life on hold as does a diagnosis. But it's temporary. We just aren't good at putting our lives on hold.

A radiographer will know what an 'abnormal' scan looks like but from that alone they can't make a diagnosis. That's why the MDT (multi discipline team) will meet and discuss all your results together.

Going in for results isn't uncommon. It doesn't mean it's a cancer diagnosis but whatever it is they like to explain one to one not on the telephone what's going on.

There are many reasons why the lump is there, BC being one of them.

Having had that diagnosis I know how earth shattering it is.

I wish you all the best for the results. Keep us updated on the results.

Love and best wishes

Julia x

Hi I was a recall mammogram - didn't feel unwell but had mentioned I had discomfort in my breast. From repeat mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy to op was just a month. I had no lump to feel but the tumour was removed and I tested positive for 1 node positive. The waiting for the results is the worse but you get through it and I'm such a stress head anyway. Just waiting for my rads to begin and a week into taking these nice tablets for the next 10 years. Remember we women (and men) are strong and we don't have to go through on our own. People here will always listen x

Love and light x

What a wonderful group.thankyou for all of your kind words.i will keep you updated xx

Hi. I was a recall. No palpable lump. At Ultrasound the Radiographer  said 'it's definitely cancer' just like that. 'Oh' I replied.  'are you sure?'. '100%'. So in some cases, they know  by sight. She was correct.  In a way I was relieved as I knew the worst before the 2 week meeting g with Consultant. It was only a small 10mm lump but she could tell by shape.  

Ah I see...I kind of thought the radiographer knew and they told me the scans was of concern.the wait is indeed terrible.i wonder if they will call if it is a negative result?very difficult trying to write an assignment and concentrate on this at the same time hahaha.i would like to be put out of my misery either way!!!xx

Sending lots of love and positive energy ❤️

Hi  

So although you will get your results sometime this week, you don't have a date / time for your results meeting  as yet ?

They will probably want to see you in person either way as they rarely tell you any results over the phone even if clear.

So is this the scary 'dissertation' year ?  Whatever degree you are going for, good luck - a 1st would be nice  :)

Fingers still tightly crossed, G n' J