Digital Mammogram & MRI

Gorilla12

Hi Everyone,

I am 3yrs out this last July '05, 1.5cm, triple negative no node involvement. I did dose dense AC and 33 rads. I just recently had my yearly visit with my radiation oncologist and she suggested digital mammography and and MRI in both breasts since I am cystic and have dense breasts. I am not due for my next mammogram until March 2009. The last mammogram I had in April promopted 2 biopsies in the "good" breast that were benign. I'm not sure I want to set myself up for more biopsies this coming March 2009 by adding the MRI. I know the digital mammography is very good for us dense breast girls and I get my results right away. I know my radiation oncologist is just looking out for my well being. However, my regular oncologist would be okay with just the digital mammogram. Anyway not sure what to do in March - I don't want to go through any more biopsies - they suck. Thanks for letting me vent.

By the way don't think I am not grateful to have passed the 3-year mark - I AM! My daughter just started her first year of college (I miss her) and my son is a freshman in high school. I am 44 years old, work in marketing (love my job) and have been married to a sweet man for 26 years - I know I am blessed.

God bless all of us.

Gorilla12 

StefS

I'd say it's up to you. As you stated, the MRI ups the likelihood of having a biopsy. I also have dense breasts and have only had digital mammos lately. But I know some docs really recommend MRI's.

t9jorda

Hi... there, well.... I am doing MRI, Digital and ultrasound yearly... as I am also 3-ve, with dense girls, 44 years old, dx May 2006 stage 2a... Each scan tells a different story and it's only when the 3 scans are pieced together do you have a complete picture.  This is my insurance that if breast cancer returns I can perhaps catch it at a manageable stage... what else can we do.... all it takes for you is to talk to one women like us who didn't do this, and now regrets it because she is now stage 4... well... you know in a heart beat that you can easily put up with annual checks that are fearful, and tests that are uncomfortable... I my friend want to LIVE and will do anything and everything to stay 5 feet above ground.

 

You take good care of yourself... very good care of yourself, as your family needs you, and loves you.  You can easily handle one more test... and be blessed that you are given this opportunity to have it... we are the lucky ones who have access to an MRI and can afford it...   treat it as the best life insurance you have ever purchased.

 

Life is good

 

KPolasek

Gorilla,

I have to agree ... do the tests ... I would rather know for sure than have them "think" that a mass is not cancer.  I am dealing with this right now.  I have a mass (ultrasound, mammo and will have MRI shortly) ....

Blessings,

K

jdash

from my own personal experience i say do the tests   i had very dense breasts and had had bc stage 1  12 yrs ago  i had recvd reg mammos and sonos and every yr they would see something small and biopsy, all was fine  until 2 1/2 yrs ago had my mammo and sono and my mammo did not detect my over 5 cm tumor in my breast   i only wish i had been taking MRI annually or digital mammos which now they recommend for everyone with dense breasts    trust me  - the inconvenience of having to have biopsys and find out you are fine is worth it

xoxox

julia