Dr Sandy Minck has advocated for Dense Breast Tissue women to be ADVISED at BreastScreen Level ....
After my surgery & radiation, I requested BreastScreen to 're-examine' my previously 'clear' scans - in hindsight of knowing the result ... and it resulted with them almost gleefully telling me that it was NOT breast cancer!! WRONG! Since then, I've had SPIRITED discussions with them, with them still refusing to advise their clients of their INCREASED RISK of a delayed diagnosis and the possibility of a more advanced cancer found 'later'!
Last night, Channel 9 news and a GP Dr Sandy Minck who's had a mastectomy (and who's mother passed away with breast cancer) posted that they want patients to be ADVISED of their breast density when they have routine Breast Cancer Screening - as it is a very real indication of the serious nature that Dense Breast Tissue has, in NOT identifying Breast Cancer ..... as, if not picked up EARLY ENOUGH, the diagnosis can result in a more serious diagnosis later on ... as 'white on white' does NOT show on the screen as a cancer.
An interview with Sandy Minck on the ABC is here:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/health/2023-05-18/breast-density-cancer-screening-explainer/102338008
BreastScreen in WA and South Australia both advise their clients of their breast density at the time of screening - why not all the other states?
The FDA in the US has recently mandated that women be notified by mammogram providers if they have dense breasts, giving them the opportunity to arrange supplemental testing.
But BreastScreen Australia’s 2020 position statement does not recommend the routine recording of breast density or the provision of supplemental testing for women with dense breasts.
A podcast about breast density ....
https://shows.acast.com/63184d1dee39db00126ae2d3/episodes/breast-density
Professor Vivienne Milch, the government’s medical advisor on screening policy, and Professor Bruce Mann, a breast surgeon and researcher, are two of our guests today in the Tea Room (podcast above)
They also talk to two patients about their experiences with breast density and cancer, who find the lack of notification baffling – and a little bit 1950s.
Dr Sandy Minck, a GP by training and a breast cancer survivor, said she was “dumbfounded” by the BSA position statement.
“As a consumer I'm outraged. As a health professional, I'm dumbfounded. I just don't understand it.”
Professor Milch says the program will conduct an evidence review on supplemental screening for women with dense breasts some time this year, although there is no guarantee of a policy change.
“We're aware of the growing momentum of advocacy and of also some women's desire to know their breast density,” Professor Milch says, adding that different states have different policies.
“We may or may not have a policy change. But we'll be looking at the evidence.”
Professor Bruce Mann, who works with the Roadmap to Optimising Screening in Australia (ROSA) project, says there is enough evidence to justify a change to BSA’s screening regimen.
“As women and the community becomes more informed, there is a danger that what is offered by BreastScreen will be seen as insufficient,” he said, which will lead to women opting out of BreastScreen and going private.
“What we don't want in this country is a two-tiered system where those who know and can get the best, do, and everyone else gets what's offered to them. That's what we are working to avoid.
“Western Australia has been telling women about their breast density for some time, and then there are pilots in some services in [Queensland and South Australia].
IF IT IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR THEM, WHY NOT IN THE OTHER STATES AS WELL?
Comments
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I didn't know either, @Locksley ... and it is MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE BY OMISSION - that we are not advised of a potential health risk, when they CAN SEE IT, CLEAR AS DAY, on the screen in front of them - as they check it to make sure the pic is OK to go to the Radiologist for 'reading'!!!
It is NOT RIGHT - and they have NO RIGHT to withhold this vital information! grrrr0 -
Yet again, thank you, @arpie, for your research and advocacy. I recall that at a routine breast screen some years ago the comment was made that I had very dense breasts. I had no idea at the time that that had any significance. Yes, yes. Of course patients should be told, and made aware of the implications.1
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Totally agree, I have dense breast tissue and was not aware, I was informed at my mammograms and second ultrasound appointment after tumours had been detected and it was to late. I now live with metastatic breast cancer.... I had a mammogram 5 years earlier and was not informed of the density!! If I had and was advised to get ultrasounds and check regularly I may not be in this position. Should be mandated throughout the nation1
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@Fufan - I had a BC scare in my 20s - and was checked then, as I felt lumps. The specialist told me I had 'lumpy breasts' ... not sure if that is an euphemism for 'dense breasts' ..... so when my GP found my lump in Oct 2017, I wasn't overly anxious, as i expected it to be 'the same' as before ...... WRONG!
I absolutely agree, @Ktre - I hope you are going OK xx
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Clear mammogram and urged by my GP to have ultrasound due to dense breasts.. 5mm, lumpectomy, no nodes. I tell all my women friends…go get it. Very grateful I did.1
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You are very lucky that your GP advised you to have an US for your dense breast tissue - well done you xx
Everyone needs to keep spreading the word about dense breast tissue & the need for Ultrasounds as the BASIC diagnosis tool ... even an MRI too ..2 -
And keep advocating for women to be advised before 50 to get screened!!
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There are so many younger people being diagnosed you'd think that would be a given. The 'powers that be' make decisions re age but then it takes several committees and working groups to make any changes.
Guess we all have to put the word out in the meantime.2 -
When I saw oncologist the other day I told him I've been given an apt for 12 months review for only mammogram and not ultrasound. I asked for ultrasound referral. He said they no longer do routine ultrasounds as the mammograms are now done with contrast much more effective. I will ask my gp for ultrasound referral for next year for my own piece of mind.2
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Because of my rare cancer and uncertain history I was eligible for genetic testing. Fortunately my results were clear, but the professor recommended that my daughter have annual testing from age 40, both mammogram and ultrasound, and that this must be done privately.1
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I can understand that the US may need to be done privately - but why the Mammogram? Is she in a regional area where the Breastscreen bus doesn't go? I'd be looking into that one!!
If she is 40 and over - it is free with Breastscreen NSW. AND she doesn't need a referral for it - just the US.0 -
She is over 40, @arpie, and lives in Sydney, but I guess would have to argue to get the mammogram. And they won’t routinely do the ultrasound. So she should go private. We can afford it, but that’s not the point: it should be available on a needs basis to EVERYONE!1
