Ethical and Legal Considerations in Breast Density Workshop South Australia 23 August 2018

When  I found a lump in 2016 at age 39 I had a mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy. That lump turned out to be a fibroadenoma. The report noted that my breasts are dense, but I was not informed that meant breast cancer would be more difficult to defect and was left feeling relieved that I did not have cancer and possibly a bit complacent about it.

When I found another lump in June this year, I was diagnosed with a 24mm triple positive IDC after another mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy.  I was told I probably already had it in 2016 but that it likely wasn’t identified because of how dense my breasts are. My breast specialist told me this time that the mammogram and to some extent the ultrasound were not very useful for me and she referred me for an MRI which showed the tumour clearly.

I have found it a bit difficult to deal with the fact that it was not identified in 2016 and was left to grow for 2 more years.

I hope other women with dense breasts are given better information in future. I am very lucky I found this lump when I did. While it was agressive and fast growing it had not spread to my lymph nodes.

I try not to focus too much on the delay that I experienced in being diagnosed and instead on the fact that I found it when I did and got it checked out straight away. 

Following my diagnosis, my older sister went and had a mammogram, ultrasound and MRI. She had a very good experience was informed that her breasts are also very dense and a mammogram was next to useless for her. Thankfully, she does not have cancer and is now aware that mammograms alone are not likely to be useful for her in future and so will ensure she has additional screening.