Callback on mammo - can an MRI miss something?

lovemyrescuedog77

Hello. I'm here with some questions! Trying to remain calm.

I have several factors that put me in a high-risk category for bc. My mom was diagnosed at 50 (caught it early and had lumpectomy/tamoxifen...is doing fine at 70). Her mom (maternal gma) was diagnosed at 47....had a mastectomy....then recurrence/stage IV in remaining breast....died at 60). I have the highest level of breast density. I did have BRCA test done at 36 (I'm 41).....and it was negative. I don't believe I was tested for BOTH BRCA 1 and 2 though....we are looking into this now.

I've been having annual mammo's since I was 37...and have had two annual MRI's starting at 39 (so every 6 months mammo/MRI). Just had my annual mammo....and they found a suspicious spot on the right side that was not there last year. I'm going back on Friday for a magnified mammo and ultrasound.

Of course I am worried. I'm worried that because my breast tissue is so dense, that something was missed all these years. But isn't MRI the BEST imaging available for breast cancer detection? Is it possible that my MRI 6 months ago missed something?

I'm hoping this is all nothing, but I am also very aware of my risks.....so I'm trying to prepare myself for anything.

MelissaDallas

My understanding is that, on average, MRIs have a less than 5% false negative rate. They have a much higher false POSITIVE rate.

Moderators

Dear lovemyrescuedog77,

Welcome to the BCO community. We know that you will find support and helpful information here from our members. We are glad that you reached out. Here is a link to a topic on Breast MRI explained. It might also be helpful in addition to he responses from our members.Keep us posted on what you learn.

The Mods

Yogatyme

I would agree w Melissa. My breast cancer was picked up on MRI and never did show up on mammogram....even a week before surgery. That said, it sounds like this was likely not there 6 mo ago.... which is promising if true. Hang in there.

djmammo

lovemyrescuedog77

If MRI is going to miss a cancer, it would be one that was only a few millimeters in diameter, mixed in with areas of enhancing glandular tissue.

Just for the sake of argument if it is a cancer, and it was only a few millimeters 6 months ago, it's not a real threat yet.

They will do the extra views and an ultrasound. If they don't see anything to biopsy, they will repeat the MRI and biopsy it that way.

lovemyrescuedog77

Thanks for the comments everyone. It was a long week waiting but I had a diagnostic mammo this morning that revealed overlapping breast tissue and nothing more. So I am good to go for another year (MRI in 6 months). I really appreciate your feedback!!