Mommotome

Yesterday, I had a routine procedure of mommotome biopsy. It was a day surgery under local anesthetic. Comparing to open surgery biopsy, it is much less invasive.

The comparative information

I started to lie face down on a special bed with an opening in the middle. A radiologist assisted my doctor to determine the exact location of micro-calcification. Then he used kind of probe to cut and collect the suspicious site tissues. The whole procedure was about a hour. A nurse put dressing on the wound with a wider bandage for support. I was prayerful and didn't feel much other than chicking noises of machine. Now and than, the radiologist asked me to hold breath and then let go. My doctor took two sites of micro-calcification in the end.

After that, I needed to take one more mammogram to make sure the area of concerns were removed. As I waited for mammogram, I met a friend who also just had her mommotome biopsy done on the same morning. We were so surprise to see each other on such location, yet, we were glad to keep each other company and to pray for each other.

She is older than me, she has been under regular mammogram for past six years, doctor found a little lump in her left breast has since changed in size. Therefore, a biopsy was required.

We all shared the same, all of sudden, there were so many women around ourselves have breast abnormality. Though no one would take chance, 80-90 percentage biopsy turn out to be benign.

I rested in day care bed for one hour before being discharged from hospital.

After all, it was not too bad procedure. but certainly not routine for me. I am grateful that the Lord has seen me through.

Biopsy

I am scheduled to go for an outpatient mammontom biopsy next week. For some detailed information please see http://www.medicinenet.com/breast_biopsy/page3.htm
"Stereotactic FNAB for Non-Palpable Growths: When a growth is too small or deep to palpate (feel), the doctor must locate it with a special imaging technique. First, the patient lies face down on a table with the breasts suspended through an opening. Next, mammograms of the suspicious breast site are taken from different angles to form a virtual three-dimensional (stereotactic) image that precisely pinpoints the location of the suspicious area. The computer then uses a motor to guide a small hollow needle to the site to remove the samples. The withdrawn samples are then analyzed for the presence of cancer."

It is to assess whether the microcacification showed on my recent and first mammogram are benign or malign. It is a routine procedure according to my doctor. But I do have God’s peace in heart.

My dearly hubby gives me his support, even my children pray for me. “I don’t know what ahead in tomorrow, but I know HE leads my hands”

Recently I came to know more about breast screening and breast cancer. Breast cancer is the number killer for the women in Singapore. One of my friends who is in her mid 30 was discovered of breast cancer and, thankfully, she has just completed chemo-treatment.

Mammogram is one of the most effective ways to detect early breast caner and the early detection is the key for surviving from this disease. Most commonly the mammogram is only recommend for women age 40 above, but I strongly encourage ladies who are in mid 30s to go for professional breast check once a year. I hope that government will consider to include mammogram into the standard health benefit for all women.

Following up

Today I went to see another breast specialist. He also suggested to have "mammontome" biopsy, which in his words a routine procedure. He thinks no matter what result will be, it certainly helps to be found out in very early stage. I pray the peace of God which passes all our understanding with me.

According to this doctor, 1 out of 8 women in the USA, 1 out of 12 and 1 out 20 in Singapore, found to have breast cancer. It is critical to detect cancer in early stage. Mammogram is the best way to detect the early cancer. In my case, it is the first time mammogram included in the routine heathy screening, thought the result shows some abnormality, it may be a blessing.

Ladies, if you are middle 30s, do make appointment with your doctor for a mammogram chect up.

Breast examination

I just had my first mammogram done for the first time during my recent health screening. The result shows that there are two clusters of microcalicification on the left breast. My GP sent me to see a breast specialist who straightway suggested to do an open surgical biopsy. I was not quite sure about such a drastic measure and decided to seek second opinion.

The second doctor I saw recommended Mammotome biopsy, which is less invisive. The recovery of course is faster too.

Please pray for God’s guidance and his all protection.