3D mammogram Anyone?

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Rshep9101
Rshep9101 Member Posts: 69
edited June 2014 in High Risk for Breast Cancer


Hello to everyone...


I haven't been on the boards in a while. I was diagnosed with ALH at the age of 30 (three years ago) and also have some fibroadenomas. Since then I have had alternating diagnostic mammograms +ultrasounds and physical exams every 6 months. Last spring my surgeon suggested an MRI with contrast. It was my first MRI and I was very nervous but felt much better when it came back clear. I should mention that I have dense breast tissue. Now, my surgeon wants to do 3D mammogram. I have my appt. in the morning. What I want to know is has anyone been upgraded from ALH to LCIS after receiving clear MRI results? For those who have had the 3D, what is your impression of its benefits? They are pretty careful with me because my sister is BRCA+, but with every new test I get nervous that it will find something new.


Rebekah

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  • dmarie71
    dmarie71 Member Posts: 81
    edited October 2013


    I was diagnosed with ALH/LCIS 2 years ago. I have been doing 6 month alternating MRIs and mammograms. I read about 3D mammograms and decided to schedule my mammogram last week at a 3D mammogram center. I have incredibly dense breasts so I thought this would put my mind at ease (a bit more anyway). My surgeon told me my results were fine...nothing new...yay! She also told me that 3D mammograms do present a bit more radiation and that it really is not necessary for me to have one if I'm getting MRIs. ???? Honestly, I felt a bit better because I've read so much about 3D mammograms being much better for identifying issues in dense breasts. I am considering starting tamoxifen.


    Dawn

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  • Fiaranch1
    Fiaranch1 Member Posts: 328
    edited October 2013


    DMarie71,


    20 years ago I had a lumpectomy , I had my first 3D mammogram at a new breast center on September 11th this year and it saved my life . I too had very dense breasts. On September 16th I was advised I had invasive ductal carcinoma, and that there were several calcifications on both breasts that had not been previously reported. I always had annual mammograms and ultrasounds given my history and my family history.


    This Tuesday I had a BMX. I decided against any reconstruction as a personal choice . I am now telling every woman I can to get a 3D mammogram, just my opinion but I am grateful this option finally came to Denver or I feel I would never have been properly diagnosed !!!

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  • Dbay
    Dbay Member Posts: 11
    edited November 2013


    I think 3D mammograms are good, but they too can miss things, especially in dense breast tissue. I had a


    3D mammo in Oct. and it DID NOT show my 5.4 cm mass, it only showed on ultrasound. I have never had an MRI

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  • sabihah
    sabihah Member Posts: 65
    edited November 2013


    Here are a couple of opposing view points on this:


    Generally in favor of 3D mammography: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/detection/mammograms


    Generally opposed to it:http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/08/27/3d-mammogram-risks.aspx


    If you have dense breasts, like I do, even the 3D mammogram will be difficult to read. However, it should be somewhat easier to read than a 2D mammogram. I had a 3D screening mammogram and still had to come back in for an additional diagnostic mammogram, then an ultrasound. And they still want me back in 6 months because a couple of areas looked suspicious, but not worrisome enough to biopsy.


    MRIs are better at detecting cancer and other abnormalities if you have dense breast tissue, but they also have a high rate of "false positives", meaning that you will have to go in for a second-look ultrasound and possibly even a biopsy for something that may not even be cancer. I'm dealing with that now; I have to have yet another ultrasound because of my suspicious MRI results. Fun fun.


    If I had a BRCA mutation (which I have a 50% chance of now), I would want MRIs and ultrasounds every year. I would be worried about the extra radiation from frequent mammograms (every 6 months). I would have a serious conversation with a breast cancer specialist about getting more extensive mammograms, or on the other hand, fewer mammograms, than the general public.


    My radiology center is touting 3D ultrasound now. You may want to look into it. My insurance won't cover that, so I haven't really looked into it yet.

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