Alternating MRI and mammogram

alicki

Hello, 

My breast surgeon suggested alternating MRI and mammogram every other year. Anyone have any experience with this sort of surveillance? I have ductal hyperplasia but not atypical which is why he doesn't want to do it every six months.

Cheers,

Alicki

blondie0236

Yes, it's been recommended I alternate every 6 months between a mammogram and MRI and I'm only considered high risk due to my family history and I have no other problems except a couple of breast cysts.  The alternating every 6 months I could not afford due to having a $5000 ded on my health insurance so I've just been doing the annual mammogram and MRI.  This way my insurance covers the mammogram and the MRI is covered by Right Action for Women via the Patient Services Inc because of my income level. 

Caedwyn

I just got a recommendation today for alternating MRI and mammogram every six months in the future. I have flat epithelial atypia, which apparently puts me at a 23.2% lifetime risk. But, without any atypia I'm not sure why you're being put on high-risk surveillance. Are there other factors (family history?) that put you at high risk? Or maybe you have very dense breasts, which make mammograms less accurate?

MelissaDallas

I agree with Caedwyn. Most of the folks I've seen here who had usual (not atypical) hyperplasia have not been treated as high risk as far as I remember. 

alicki

Hello, 

It's not only the hyperplasia, it's now also the fat necrosis in each breast and enlarged fatty lymph nodes. And here MRIs are easy to get and paid for  by the insurance (private) without asking for it. 

I have no faith in mammograms, (last one Birad me , the only upside is that they can see califications. So, I do all three (MRI, ultrasound and MRI) once a year.

And still thinking about mascetomy.

Alicki

Beesie

Wow, WeaverDream, you mean you actually believe all that crap that you've read???

MelissaDallas

WeaverDreams, that is only your second post, and the first one wasn't very helpful either. 

Are you here for a specific breast problem, or just to spread ignorant, sensationalist bad advice?

Cowgirl13

Beesie and Melissa....you rock!