dense breast tissue and TN

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Towny
Towny Member Posts: 111
edited June 2014 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

I was dx with triple neg Oct 2009. June 2009 my mammo was clear. I have read a million stories about how everyone found their TNBC!! Most of us found the huge growing tumors our selves. I was wondering how many of the TNBC had dense breasts and never knew it. The mammogram would of never found it because of the breast tissue not the what kind of cancer we have.  That would be a good study... breast density and TNBC!!! I would like to know how many of you have or had dense breasts.

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  • paintedlady
    paintedlady Member Posts: 252
    edited February 2011

    Hi Towny

    I found a lump: It was accompnied by pain, redness and I had a fever.  An ultrasound and mammogram were then done. According to the Radiologist's report, the mammgram was normal. The ultrasound showed a suspicious lump. I must add here that when the BS looked at the same mammogram, he did see the tumors and pointed the tumors out to me despite my "dense breasts".

    In my opinion, sometimes, it is the skill of the medical professional analyzing the mammogram.

    The tumor was 2.3 cm and I could even see it on the mammogram

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  • Titan
    Titan Member Posts: 2,956
    edited February 2011

    I was told that I had dense breasts very early on.   My mammogram in 8/08 was "clean"..found the lump myself in 1-09.  It was 1.8 cm.  I could see it..it was that close to the skin. I think that tn tumors grow so fast...I haven't seen my film from 8/08..maybe it was missed..maybe not...

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  • Luah
    Luah Member Posts: 1,541
    edited February 2011

    My annual mammos always marked my breasts as not-dense. Clean mammo in Oct 08. After I found the lump (2.5 cm) in August 09, the diagnostic mammo showed only an area of density, with architecture not suggestive of BC, significance unknown. US showed the tumour (and a second one). I have seen my mammo films from 07 and 08, and while I'm not a radiologist, I don't think anything was missed on the later one, they looked the same. 

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  • Suze35
    Suze35 Member Posts: 1,045
    edited February 2011

    My baseline mammo in April 2010 was clean and indicated extremely dense breasts. I found a lump myself in September, almost 5 months to the day. The doctor who performed my biopsy said several times that he looked at the mammo himself and it was clear, he couldn't believe it. I had two 4+ cm lumps and 4 lymph nodes.



    I'm in the camp for getting an MRI when breast tissue is over a certain density. It probably would have made a big difference in my situation.

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  • Titan
    Titan Member Posts: 2,956
    edited February 2011

    Ok..question..do we request a mri now?   Should I insist my daughter has one instead of a mammo....?   You know..after all we have been through..sometimes..I just want to just move on..and  maybe not be so vigilant...I know I should be...but I just don't want to freak out every day...about every pain or headache..or what the dr's AREN'T doing...

    Sorry..I'm kinda ranting here...but even though it has been almost 2 years I just can't see myself going through all this crap again..I'm just not ready..it is still so new! 

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  • Babs37
    Babs37 Member Posts: 455
    edited February 2011

    When I went for my mammo last week, the radiologist told me that they have to do both (mammo and mri) because they can't see calcifications on mri but they can see it with a mammo. She told me that since I have breast cancer, my sisters, who are 39 and 41 should have mammo- ultrasound and mri done.

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  • Luah
    Luah Member Posts: 1,541
    edited February 2011

    Titan:  Generally mammos are not optimal for women under age for 40 because of dense breast tissue. This is why mammo screening programs start at older ages.  I can't recall, were you BRCA +? Perhaps it's worth a chat with your docs about whether U/S or MRI is advisable for your daughter. Self and clinical exams are also important.

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  • joannnc
    joannnc Member Posts: 119
    edited February 2011

    I had a clear mammo in 9/2002 and in 3/2003 I had a 3.5 centimeter tumor that I discovered myself. 

    I have VERY DENSE BREAST TISSUE.  

    I am now being followed up with a yearly digital mammogram and a yearly MRI.  

    I would suggest that for everyone; however, my insurance is not too keen on paying for the MRI.  

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