Mammogram Alternatives?

Poppy_Spruce

Mammogram Alternatives?

Poppy_Spruce

Hey Girls!

I was wondering if anyone had some insight on this whole mammogram thing. I know that they are important - I get that. But, like many of you here, I am under 40, and when we knew I had cancer, it was not detectable on the mammogram. It was the ultrasound that confirmed a solid mass that led to the biopsy and diagnosis.

My surgeon seems pretty committed to the mammogram thing, but since my breasts are dense (like all women in their 30's) I don't see how it will be useful. I would much rather go for the ultrasound and know that I am really okay versus getting false assurance from a mammogram that can't see through my dense breast tissue. What are other people using in their yearly check-ups?

nash

I'm getting annual breast MRIs and annual mammos (will be going for digital mammo for the first time this summer). The imaging is spaced six months apart, so I'm getting something twice a year.

If your onc doesn't want to do MRI's, at least see if you can get digital mammo, which is supposed to be better for looking at dense breasts.

Poppy_Spruce

Thanks, Nash - I go for my herceptin treatment today and plan to talk to him about it!

BethNY

I would push for a mammo combined with a Ultra sound every 6 months, or a bilateral MRI once a year-- the MRI will probably be harder to get, and they yield a lot of false positives.

My breast surgeon has a U/S machine right in the office- and uses it often-- I would absolutely ask for an ultra sound- even if only to give you peace of mind.