Lumpectomy for DCIS but surgeon declined my MRI request

I too have extremely dense breasts. I had a mammogram in Feb that was completely clear, then found a lump myself in May. My surgeon said that it is not uncommon for dense breasts to hide tumors or for tumors to appear normal in dense breasts. I had a diagnostic mammogram (uses smaller plates), then an ultra sound, and finally a breast MRI, and then the core needle biopsy with an IDC dx. Each test can show different things. And then it wasn't until my lumpectomy pathology that they found additional DCIS grade 3 in the tissue. I've found that you really must be your own medical advocate and it's worth the fight to get the tests/treatment needed. Sometimes doctors are hesitant to order tests because of insurance expenses, but we're talking about our lives. Insist upon the tests. My surgeon told me post surgery that I'd have a mammogram in 6 mo. and when I questioned the validity given my meat in Feb., she agreed and said she could order an ultrasound of MRI instead. Good luck. Dara