would a 3D Mammogram have caught this? And is it caused by HRT?

Hi NEF. I can tell you're in shock. I'm so sorry. It is just horrific news to hear. So glad you found us. One of the first things I wish someone had told me about are anti-anxiety med. They were made for times like these. They'll allow you to at least take a breath. Second we all have a suitcase full of woulda, shoulda, couldas. Cancer is a sneaky disease, ILC is even sneakier. You cannot blame yourself for anything. It is ok to grieve, cry, lose it now. Soon you'll get more information and you be moving forward with your treatment plan. It is going to be really scary for a while. We'll do our best to support you however we can. Hang in there.

It was found in the preventive mx, but I have since learned that it was probably seen on MRI and either passed or missed in a subsequent excisional biopsy. It was another case of extremely dense breasts. I've heard it is like finding a certain piece of tapioca in a bowl of tapioca pudding. See there is no guarantee 3D would have caught yours. Mammos just don't do well with extremely dense breasts. I understand about wanting them gone too. Good luck with your surgeon search. Mine was great and he took the time to answer any questions I had.

The important thing is that you're getting treatment for your cancer NOW. I never had HRT, have always been really healthy, and have no family history of breast cancer -- yet, I was diagnosed. Never look back, I say. What's done can't be undone.

Don't spend too much time with Dr. Google, and if you do, go to respectable websites. It sounds like you're going to be a strong advocate for yourself. Get as many opinions as you want! Best wishes.

Hi, NEF. I'm newly-diagnosed as well and I was on HRT for 9 years because I had my hyster/oopher at age 37. It is my understanding that HRT does not cause breast cancer but if your breast cancer is estrogen receptive the hormones feed it. Also ILC is very sneaky and doesn't always show up. It's not your fault that you got cancer.

Sorry you have found yourself here NEF. I had ILC too. Mine was multifocal. Was never sore/painful, no breast or nipple changes, no palpable lump. No clue. Even once the specialists knew it was there they were still not able to feel it. Lobular cancers often turn out to be much larger than they appear on imaging. This was true in my case. As StaceySue said previously, ILC is a very sneaky cancer. You will find the information, support and caring on these boards invaluable. Hugs Donna.

warriorwannabe, I'm sorry you're going through this. My short answer, who knows. My 3D Mammo did not detect my small (0.9 cm) ILC. Answer to second question: I was premenopausal at diagnosis (but perhaps 2 or so years away from natural menopause), so no HRT, but did take oral contraceptives (estrogen-progesterone) for approximately 7 years. Here's my background. Hope the facts and details help.

I was diagnosed with stage 1 ILC this year after I had a prophylactic mastectomy of my right breast. At the same time, I had a mastectomy to remove what they thought was a 3 cm lesion in my left beast (nipple to chest wall). Images of the left (us, 3D Mammo and MRI were showing a large invasive cancer but 2 biopsies showed high grade DCIS and LCIS, hyperplasia, sclerosis, you name it). So they didn't know what we were dealing with. Final answer would have to come after surgery.

I had had extremely dense breasts with stable calcifications (BiRad 4). The 3D Mammo showed nothing on the right side, but the MRI showed a lesion which the BS was not worried about at all--a fibroadenoma, they said. Because my Mom passed away from recurring, two primary metastatic breast cancers, I opted for prophylactic on the right.

Post surgery, the findings on the left were 6 cm of grade 3 DCIS, LCIS and cancerization of the lobules, embedded in a large sclerotic (benign) lesion, less than 1 mm margin in at least 2 spots, suspicion of micro invasion, isolated tumor cells in 1 of 3 nodes (highly ER positive; PR 10%; HER 2 -ve).

What's more relevant to your question, on the right side they discovered a 0.9 mm Grade 2 ILC, highly ER and PR +ve, HER2 negative. Followed up with axillary dissection on right side: 0/14 nodes. Yay! I was smart (in decision) AND incredibly lucky. I've seen way too many stories of stage 3 and stage 4 ILCs at original diagnosis. Oh I had also had a PET-CT scan no contrast, and there was mild uptake in left side but not on right ILC side.

Because Oncotype scores were in the low spectrum on both sides, no radiation or chemo were recommended (1 RO, 4 MO opinions). BRCA -ve

Warm thoughts. My 6 weeks of diagnosis pre surgery and then the post surgery treatment decisions phase were very very stressful. After that I obsessed about recurrence and possibly being under treated. Now I channel the energy into nutrition, exercise, anti stress, and connections. Super lucky we have a huge cancer support center here (mostly; all kinds of modalities). Having this support has helped to heal. I hope you will eventually find a modicum of peace. Hugs.