question about MRI

This is such an important topic.  When my tumor was first dx'd it was through ultrasound and biopsy, after I had found a large mass.   My faithful annual mammos for over 20 years always came back "normal" even though this 3.5 centimeter tumor was growing.  I quickly had it removed with a lumpectomy and was happy to have clear margins.

Here's the kicker.  While we were doing genetic tests, scans, oncodx, etc. to establish my treatment, I asked for an MRI.  I just wanted to make  sure nothing was lurking in the other breast even though I had those wonderful "clear" mammos.  Guess what????????????  The other breast had some atypical hyplasia, BUT the dx'd breast had another tumor in a separate quandrant.  I now had that lump removed with clean margins.  Now what to do.

We had already discussed 35 sessions of rads but were on the fence about chemo.  Well now we definitely were adding chemo and the rad onc said not to worry  the radiation would have gotten the smaller tumor even if I hadn't had the MRI and we were not aware it was there.  He said he was very comfortable sticking to our original plan and I agreed.

Fast forward to one year out and my med onc suggests I do a PBM, just because I am high risk.  I get second opinions at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa and decide not to go forward with that at this time, and maybe never.

But here is what I do know, if I had the MRI as part of my early dx testing and knew before my first surgery that there were two separate cancers I would have had a BMX, no question.  We must stand firm that all info is gathered before we are asked to make decisions about treatment.  I would have still done chemo,not sure about rads.  But here I am still thinking about the decision almost two years later, and wondering if that double mastectomy is in my future.  If I had all info, that surgery would now be in my past.

MAMMOS ARE NOT ENOUGH  for those of us with dense breasts..............even the digitized.  We have the technology,let's use it.

Since you have so many questions, why don't you seek a second opinion with a surgical oncologist that has a special interest in the breast.  It is important to have trust in your doctors and the decisions they are recommending.