"Very dense" breast and no lumps visible

Msquared85

Hello everyone,

This is my first time here. I will give you a little bit of background. I'm 32 years old, and a mother of twins, I've had tons of health problems but I'm sure that's probably irrelevant. My mother had breast cancer seven years ago, my aunt and grandmother have also had breast cancer (though I know that's not 1st°). I had a lumpectomy in 2011. The results were not real conclusive. They ended up labeling it as a fibroadenoma, but they did say that it wasn't completely characteristic of a fibroadenoma, but it was the closest thing to it.

Well recently we found multiple lumps in both breasts. The lumps are hard and immobile, though I know it's not common for breast cancer to be in both breast, or for there to be multiple lumps. Because of my family history and my own history, my doctor sent me for a mammogram and an ultrasound. I knew nothing was going to show on the ultrasound, because the ultrasound tech kept feeling and it took forever to complete the ultrasound. I was indeed right, nothing was shown, yet the lumps are very easy to find with the hand. I guess I should mention, there are two in each breast, and they are both behind the nipples. So that was a bit irritating.

I was also sent for mammogram. I will mention that I have saline implants, so I had quite a few more images including spot compression. I received the results for that today, and they are as stated " The breast tissue is very dense. This limits the sensitivity of the mammogram. No suspicious masses, calcifications or areas of architectural distortion are seen". It also states "Bi-rads 0 incomplete; need additional imaging evaluations". So they are going to send me for more images.

I'm curious if anyone has experienced this? The lumps are as obvious as can be, yet they are not seen on the ultrasound (and obviously the mammogram because my breasts are too dense). Also, I have extremely dense breasts, not to mention that I have implants and a family history, but they are sending me for more images. Now I'm happy they are being thorough but won't they have the same problem with the next set of images?! I'm just curious how this plays out. Having lumps, but not being able to see the lumps, and my breast are not conducive for seeing anything anyways. Or do you think additional images means an MRI and not more X-rays? Sorry for the scattered thinking

Also, sidenote, does anyone know why it increases your risk of breast cancer (other than the fact that they can't see the cancer). With my family history, and now this, I'm going to be so paranoid in the future. I'm not too worried about now (multiple breasts and multiple lumps) but I am for the future.

Thanks so much-Mary

Moderators

Hi Mary, and welcome to Breastcancer.org! We're sorry you're here and worried, but glad you've found us!

Until you get responses from other Community members you may find some answers to your questions in the following conversation: Topic: Dense breast and increased cancer risk

Also, the article Having Dense Breasts from our main site includes great information on what means to have dense breasts and steps you can take.

Hope this helps!

The Mods

Msquared85

Thank you, I sure will:D