Dense Breasts Hike Risk of Aggressive Cancer

I had dense breasts. A mammogram and ultrasound DID NOT detect a lump. My hand detected it, thank God the surgeon removed it. A biopsy showed atypical lobular hyperplasia and I had a prophylactic mastectomy. I had an uncle, sister and two aunts die of BC so that's why I had my breasts removed, so my family history and self breast check helped me decide on a mastectomy, because one choice I had was more frequent mammograms but mammograms were not reliable at all because of dense breasts so really there was no choice except to remove my breasts. Breasts are a real mofo!

I recently had a negative mammo & us for a small lump I found. Was referred by my ob/gyn after she felt it as well. I felt blown off by the Radiologist who felt the "knot" as he called it. Since it didn't shown on either dx screen, he acted like it doesn't exist. Unless it grows or otherwise seems different "see you in a year." Had he told me it was normal tissue or otherwise offered any explanation for a palpable lump, I would have returned in a yr. I was not worried until after my appt despite the good news. I am 40. I took the advise here, and scheduled a consult with a bs (appt not until Oct). I finally decided to pick up my mammo & us reports. Us said "palpable ridge presents as entirely normal tissue." Mammo report specifically states may be reduced sensitivity due to density. It says "extremely dense breasts greater than 75% bilateral." Even though I felt blown off after being told there was nothing to discuss about my screens, I was going to cancel my appt with the bs. BI-RADS 2 so I'm overreacting; however, the more I read about breast density, the more annoyed I am with the Radiologist! I read one report (from a breast cancer symposium) that said breast density is more of a risk factor (2-3x more) than family hx! Wow! The Radiologist also said my implants were intact. If they can tell that with mammo & us, why are women told to get the more expensive MRI to evaluate implant integrity? Anyway, I'm realizing in a few short weeks how important breast density is despite my radiologist finding not worthy of mention!! God bless the women & info on this forum!

Hi all

just been reading your posts and found them really interesting. I was diagnosed with Basal Triple Negative breast cancer in Sep 2009. I had chemo before removing the tumour and treatment was withdrawn after MRI's showed that the tumour was not responding. I had the tumour removed on 4th Jan 2010 so I am approaching my 2nd anniversary. I have dense breast tissue too - and I am told I am at high risk of recurence (type of tumour, strong faimily history and BRCA 1 of 'unknown significance').

I have had pain in my other breast since about April this year. Bone scan fine. Then I dicovered a raised area / lump emerging from the painful area in my breast. Mammo and ultrasound did not detect anything BUT breast surgeon could feel something - like a 'ridge'. So she did a fine needle biopsy. I had extremely bad interal bleeding as a result - also the lab returned the sample as inconclusive (it was mostly blood!). So I am now awaiting a surgical biopsy which cannot be done until the bruising has subsided. My fine needle biopsy was at the end of August and my surgical biopsy had to be delayed until 30th Sep. My point is that I have a STRONG history here and have have dense breast tissue. But the medical profession still defer to the scans - and neg mammo and ultrasound must mean that the lump is 'normal' breast tissue. The breast surgeon tried to convince me that the lump must have been there all the time and I didn't notice it. A comment which annoyed me since, to be honest, I know my breast better than they do!! Following a diagnosis of BC I check my breasts on a regular basis - I notice even small changes. My surgical biopsy is being performed because I made clear the fact that this lump is new. But I am a vocal, forthright person I guess. 

By that way, I went to my local doctor 7 months before I was diagnosed with BC. I felt a 'thickening' of breast tissue. NOT a lump. My doctor told me not to worry and didn't refer me. Guess what? Seven months later a fast growing aggressive tumour emerged from that same area. Would it have shown up on ultrasound / mammo then - especially since I have dense breast tissue? I will never know. The fact is, I knew something was wrong. I knew something was different and I was sent away. That could have cost me my life. So, ladies - if you feel any changes, get it checked out. You are your own best advocate.

I was just checking this thread and low and behold I got a suprising phone call.  Months ago I had contact one of my state reps office that were trying to pass a bill here in Texas that they have to notify you of your dense breast tissue.  That part passed here in Texas but the second part of the bill was an insurance part that basically would require the insurance companies to count follow up MRI's as they do mammo's.  Such as my mammo's and us are cover 100% but MRI's I have to met my deductible and then 20% out of pocket which ends up being about 2K.  For my follow up that will be yearly. ouch.  So because of politics that got pulled out so they could pass the rest of it.  Well a reporter from Washington DC who has won all kinds of awards has picked up on it and they want to interview me for their article.  Wow I hope I can do some justice for all of us here.

Count me in on the dense breasts and worthlessness of mammograms for us.  I had my first mammogram last September.  They wanted to recheck the left side b/c of an area of density.  That mammogram came back negative too.  Then, found a lump on the right side 4 weeks later.  Had another mammogram - still negative.  Had an ultrasound - oh look at that - a lump!  Then, MRI - oh hello tumor!  ERG!  Now I'm due to have my post chemo/radiation mammogram in November (why bother, but whatever) and my doc put in for a new baseline MRI.  Wonder if my insurance company will fight us on this ...

Ok so for 2yrs now I have known I have dense breast tissue (started mammos at 29 for palapable lump and now am 32) but until last month I did not know how dense..Mammo report states heterogeneously dense both breasts..Ok fine but now that I have been reading up on this I'm a little worried as I have always been told that my lump (which has now turned to multiple palapable areas on left breast) was a fibroadenoma not to worry and was sent on my way. My question is that with this density are the radiologists able to tell that it is really just that a fibroadenoma and nothing more??I have had a bio on my right breast 2 wks ago after a mammo came back abnormal for the 3rd time and that turned out B9 sclerosing adenosis..But I see where the radiologist wanted an ultrasound on left but BS says its not necessary..Needless to say I'm very confused and sorry if I don't make sense..

Guess I'm needing some guidance as my family says not to worry as there is no history and I"m to young (between them and the doctors with there your to young)..GRRR its my breast and I'm worried.

Mandy- Ultra sound.  Even if you have to pay for it, get an ultrasound.  It gives different info then a mammo but it is much more efficient when tissue is dense.

good luck 

Ok, so I know I should go for that ultrasound..But I asked the BS again and she stated no I'm pretty sure by feel that it is fibrous tissue..Ok maybe but like I said in the above post I have heterogenously dense breast according to my mammo report and I have my films at home and yes my left breast is quite more dense than my right..And now I am having a sticky discharge from my left nipple (new in the entire 2yrs I've been dealing with this) Along with another lump and a quite prominent line of tissue running into my armpit area..How in the world can they tell anything. As a woman do we have the right to request the ultrasound?

Another issue I am having is my insurance, they did not pay for my digital mammo and when I called about ultrasound they said that would not be covered either..I'm not understanding as to why since they did pay their 80% for the stereotactic biopsy on my right breast so why will they not cover an ultrasound on left? Is anyone having this problem? Is it because of my age 32yrs..

Sorry I just needed to vent..I am just having one of those weeks!!!

Mandy

Mandy I would def seek out another BS.  I was 34 when I had my first lumpectomy for ADH and did not have any problems with my insurance at all.  BS even gave me the choice to watch it every three months with diagnostic testing or surgery and I chose the surgery.

Appeal it with your insurance company.  They're notorious for denying things and then coming through if you appeal it.  It's awful that we have to fight insurance companies too.  Keep fighting!

Hi ladies, I had very dense breasts and mammogram missed a tumor for 10 years, they estimate. 10+ years of faithful mammograms saw *nothing*!! Even a diagnostic mammogram - nothing. Even ultrasound in my case only saw a murky "line".  It was very deep inside and finally, it was large enough to be felt at 6.7 CM - this is how it was discovered. I too have bene following the Density movement.

I don't know if this has already been shared here (I didn't read all) so forgive me if you have already seen this. But this is so important and a chance to make a difference. Here goes:

For those of you here have dense breast tissue that caused mammogram to miss your tumor, there is an opportunity to share your "story" to impact change. On Nov. 4th, the Mammography Advisory Committee (governed by the FDA) is meeting to discuss the Mammography Quality Standards Act. If you are a woman with dense breast tissue and received a late stage diagnosis of breast cancer, please send an email to the two listed below to urge them to include breast density information on the patient's report.

FDA rep: Shanika.Craig@fda.hhs.gov
JoAnn Pushkin (Density advocate): dense-ny@optonline.net
JoAnn is attending the hearing and bringing copies of all the letters

I have sent an email, as have others, and I do hope there is a storm of emails! If you feel so led, please consider sending your "story". I will insert an example below.

Thanks. Springtime. 

So after my yearly physical with my NEW PCP I am going for that ultrasound! She fought with the insurance company she told them it was necessary..Apparently even thought the BS said it felt like fibrous tissue the PCP said it was just way to different from the right breast for her to be comfortable with..So Thursday is the day!!! She also said after she gets the results if necessary a 2nd opinion will be another option..

It is very upsetting to say the least..I have heterogenously dense breast tissue (which from my mammo films my left breast is way worse than my right)..So honestly even a diagnostic mammo isn't the best for me..Lets see how it goes when I ask for the bio to prove to me that all is ok I'm tired of the wait and see game!

You think an insurance company would be wanting to cover anything that could possibly mean early detection and lessen the costs down the road..One day maybe they will get it..

wow, I'm sorry to hear that..if you have dense breasts your are high risk! and you would think the IDC would put you in the category as well..why do they not get it?!?!

I don't have ins. so i paid cash to get a mammo and us.  Because i'm self pay i paid only 179.00 for both tests.  That doesn't include the radiology fee but they said they would match the sixty percent discount i receicved for the tests.  It should be less than a hundred after the discount.  A pretty good deal i think.