Breast Density
Hi all Am confirmed for the workshop on Breast Density here in Adelaide next Thursday 23 August. I am prepared to put any questions the blog has on this issue and report back on the responses....
Forum Discussion
I'm also perplexed as to why this would be an issue which is why I haven't responded to you @Romla - I'm not sure if I understand the scope of the workshop as what I'm reading seems bizarre.
Anyway, my thoughts are:
I had dense breasts but was never told this was an issue when I had a diagnostic mammogram in my 30s (the cancer diagnosed in my 50s was in a similar if not, the same place as the cyst diagnosed back then). My genetic oncologist has said that, although I do not test positive for any of the known BC genes, she is confident there is a familial genetic link due to family history. I have 2 teenage daughters and it has been recommended that they start screening at 30. Chances are that they will also have dense breasts. How can it possibly be okay to allow a woman to be screened and not tell her that her negative result is just a maybe? It can take a lot of courage to go for screening for many women; even more so when they have a family history. I believe it is unethical and immoral, and I believe should be illegal, to allow that woman to think that she is clear when it is far from certain due to it being difficult to determine. The other problem of course, is that we all lead busy lives and many women leave their own health last so it is quite likely they may not go in for their mammograms as regularly as everyone would wish. This means that any cancer has more time to grow if it was not picked up due to density, and if she is not aware that could be a issue.
As you say, it is about giving women information about their own bodies. I'm losing my words here and can't think of the term I'm looking for but it's along the lines of "a failure to provide reasonable and accurate medical information/service".
I wish I was able to go to it with you @romla but at this stage, radiation is smack bang in the middle.
Anyway, my thoughts are:
I had dense breasts but was never told this was an issue when I had a diagnostic mammogram in my 30s (the cancer diagnosed in my 50s was in a similar if not, the same place as the cyst diagnosed back then). My genetic oncologist has said that, although I do not test positive for any of the known BC genes, she is confident there is a familial genetic link due to family history. I have 2 teenage daughters and it has been recommended that they start screening at 30. Chances are that they will also have dense breasts. How can it possibly be okay to allow a woman to be screened and not tell her that her negative result is just a maybe? It can take a lot of courage to go for screening for many women; even more so when they have a family history. I believe it is unethical and immoral, and I believe should be illegal, to allow that woman to think that she is clear when it is far from certain due to it being difficult to determine. The other problem of course, is that we all lead busy lives and many women leave their own health last so it is quite likely they may not go in for their mammograms as regularly as everyone would wish. This means that any cancer has more time to grow if it was not picked up due to density, and if she is not aware that could be a issue.
As you say, it is about giving women information about their own bodies. I'm losing my words here and can't think of the term I'm looking for but it's along the lines of "a failure to provide reasonable and accurate medical information/service".
I wish I was able to go to it with you @romla but at this stage, radiation is smack bang in the middle.