Dr Sandy Minck has advocated for Dense Breast Tissue women to be ADVISED at BreastScreen Level ....
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@Fufan BreastScreen NSW can't refuse anyone over 40 and no need for a referral, but radiology places, who would do the US at the same time would charge - so would make more sense to get them both done together .. and may need a referral from her GP xx.
Ultrasounds should be standard procedure for those with dense breast tissue, particularly those using the BreastScreen buses, as they still only use 2D technology - and will still miss many tumours in those with dense breast tissue.
Maybe the newer 3D/Tomosynthesis used in major centres IS 'better than ever' ... but I am not sure I'd only go with that - I'd still ask for the US, even if I had to pay, I reckon!!
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@arpie the daughter has had hassles with Breastscreen. I think the issue may have been that she wanted the screen ANNUALLY. Just easier to do both tests privately. Pity not everyone has the luxury of affording that! And Breastscreen, of course, will not do our post-cancer checks, so there’s more expense.1
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@Fufan due to family history, she should be able to have annual screening mammograms at Breastscreen. My sister did after my diagnosis, until her own diagnosis five years later but I don't think she received annual reminders.
However, sometimes, as @arpie said, the convenience of having it all done at one place, on the same day, wins hands down0 -
I agree, it’s extremely important.I’m early in my journey, but thankfully my GP didn’t dismiss my vague symptoms & my surgeon was thorough & because I had dense breasts ( young breast tissue is how he worded it, I’m 55) sent me for an MRI after my initial investigations. I had never felt a lump- I’d had altered sensation to a small area on my right breast. Initially I had a mammogram & ultrasound . A small lump was found on u/s & biopsied it was IDC in my right breast. The MRI showed another lump & larger areas of DCIS in both breasts. So instead of just a lumpectomy & radiotherapy as initially thought, I’m now awaiting an appointment with a team in the city for a double mastectomy.I believe it’s vital that appropriate imaging is done.2
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This is from an overseas medical report, following a mammogram, where the patient showed dense breast tissue!
This is ALL that BreastScreen Australia has to include ON THEIR REPORT if the MG shows dense breast tissue .... yet they still refuse to advise women of their increased BC risk, due to having dense breast tissue! Only BreastScreen WA and South Australia advise women of their breast density.
IT SHOULD BE ALL STATES!
It really IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH, when something as simple as this, could be included on every woman's report, who is at added risk of finding a later stage BC!
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Totally agree @arpie. I was never advised I had dense breast tissue and what that actually meant in terms of increased risk. Nor was I advised how to reduce that risk. Bit annoyed at that really. It's our bodies and we should be told these things and what we can do about it to help ourselves.1
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Make sure you jump onto here & do the Survey!!
Make your views known about Dense Breast Tissue and inadequate advice to those that have it re increased risk of finding a more advanced cancer (even Stage 4 straight up) as the tumours CANNOT be seen on Mammograms. Ultrasound or MRI is needed to identify tumours in Dense breast tissue BE TOLD!! ... Specially for Invasive Lobular, too, which is even MORE difficult to see, even without dense breast tissue!
Public Consultation - BreastScreen Australia Review - Australian Government Department of Health - Citizen Space
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