Aged 51, early menopause at 44, on HRT past 4 years (mirena coil, estrogel, recently androfeme). Just been recalled after first mammogram and had further tests yesterday - detailed mammogram, ultrasound and core needle biopsies in left breast. No lumps found on ultrasound, one cyst, I’ve had no symptoms, but a collection of microcalcifications was found in left breast only, over quite a large area - I don’t know how large the area is but the microcalcifications are small Luke grains of salt, starting from near the nipple to the back of the breast. Classified as “indeterminate” at this point - they can’t say whether benign or malignant until results of biopsy come back. No family history of breast cancer or any cancer. No risk factors - boring complete teetotaller since age 19, never smoked, not overweight, active lifestyle. Besides myself with worry - what are the chances it’s benign?
Dreading the prospect of no HRT as I couldn’t cope with the severe symptoms I had without HRT - severe hot flushes followed by cold shivers relentlessly day and night, never slept more than an hour, palpitation severe, resting heart rate at heart attack levels. Brain fog, depression, I had all the symptoms, nearly had a nervous breakdown. HRT resolved the worst symptoms immediately, but recent months - pre mammogram - were all changing doses to prepare for testosterone, then rationed everything due to shortages, then back to full doses, so breasts felt the effects but settled, just before mammogram. High estrogen levels however caused some pain in my left breast that I kept “mashing” for a week or so, then I reduced estrogen and it settled straight away, but I had the mammogram just at that time. Is there any chance I don’t have cancer?
