Anyone have something show up on MRI that mammo missed?

Yes, I had dense breast tissue. My tumor was not detected by Mammography or Ultrasound. Thank goodness my BS ordered an MRI. Given your family history and your personal history, I would want MRI baseline at the minimum.

Yup, my mammo had picked up two areas of calcifications that turned out to be DCIS and a microinvasion of IDC. After my surgical biopsy, which removed both those areas (but with involved margins), I had an MRI. The MRI showed a lot more high grade DCIS.

When you say you are considering doing nothing but surveillance, does that mean passing on rads and, if hormone positive, endocrine therapy? That may not be unreasonable with a small non-high grade DCIS with clear margins, but I would advise that you have an MRI before you make that decision. Also consider that if you are hormone positive, endocrine therapy will not only reduce your risk of recurrence, but will reduce your risk to develop a new primary breast cancer in either breast. Talk to your oncologist about this risk. With your mother having been diagnosed so young and now with your own diagnosis, your risk to develop a new primary will be significantly higher than the risk of the average woman.

And did you have full panel genetic testing or just BRCA?

Yes, MRI picked up a ILC tumor that the mammo and ultrasound missed. Its the best screening tool for dense breasts. I would definitely ask for a MRI. Especially since you are young and because of your moms history. Good luck and keep us posted.

I had a fibroadenoma in one breast and small tumor in the other and neither showed up on mammogram (even a week before breast surgery) but both showed up on my first MRI. I am BRCA1+ so was doing close monitoring of breast health. I agree with those who have encouraged you to get an MRI given your moms hx.

Actually Khakitag - you didn't mention an ultrasound. Those are usually done after the mammo & often pick up things the mammo doesn't see. But yes - you should definitely request an MRI, even if you have an ULS that doesn't show problems.

Good plan. Hope your insurance agrees. Let us know.

yes

first off..i had palpable mass that mammography missed for three years. Sonogram saw it but it was misidentified as a cyst. Finally, astute radiologist said, “That sucker on sonogram looks like cancer, let’s biopsy it.” And...the rest is history. Sent for baseline MRI and a “drop” of DCIS was found. So yes, MRI picks up more things especially if you have dense breasts.

uterine polyps? I had a gazillion of them. Lost track of the number of D&Cs that I had. Used to joke that I got more D&Cs for uterine polyps than teeth cleanings...was tearing my hair out! Was contemplating a hysterectomy which thankfully the doctors talked me out of. Did 3 years of Tamoxifen and ovarian suppression. Still got the polyps after I started doing an AI. Finally, polyps quieted down. The one thing that my gyno was concerned about was uterine thickening and an ablation fixed that problem. I would strongly recommend a baseline trans vaginal ultrasound and then discuss ovarian suppression and an AI based on the SOFT and TEXT trials...that said, as long as your team has a uterus surveillance protocal, Tamoxifen is also doable.

Any doubts, have your case presented to a tumor board and let them advise you. The fact your mom had a stage iv breast cancer diagnosis at a young age requires that no stone go unturned. Genetic testing, imaging, and opinions from many specialists is key to your future care.

good luck

I had DCIS stage 0 grade 3. left breast. Had surgery in January with lumpectomy followed by radiation and now on tamoxifen. I was told if they had not done a 3D mammogram they would not have detected it. There was no mass with monthly checks nor my yearly Dr. appointment. Many insurance companies will not pay for 3D which is crazy. I have told all my friends to pay the extra money to have the 3D if insurance refuses to cover.

I had a double mastectomy and reconstruction on June 8, 2020. A small spot showed up on the left side on a mammogram and ultrasound. An MRI showed the spot to actually be 5 times larger than the previous tests and it also showed 5 spots on the right side that did not appear on anything earlier!! Thank goodness for that MRI. 6 biopsies later they determined that I had all kinds of abnormal cells in both breasts so I opted for the mastectomies. The pathology report after surgery showed that I actually had malignant cells on both sides already. I am 100% cured. HAVE THE MRI!