Breast screens are so important

That is a bit scarey really isn't it how these things don't pick up the tumours. So glad though that they were eventually discovered. I don't know the answer to your question though about other options, sorry. x

Is there differ t types of ultrasounds you can get? I get regular mammograms and ultrasounds...but even they don't pick everything up due to dense breast tissue. My last years picked up an irregular lump...long story short...ended up with mastectomy which found 3 cancers. The one picked up on mammogram & ultrasounds was 6mm. One more was picked up on MRI (can't remember which one). The other two lumps were 12mm and 5mm. 

So I'm even wondering for future screening whether ultrasound is even enough. Someone mentioned 3D ultrasound but I don't know if that's something different. Are there other options for dense breast tissue?

Hi Angie,

Im so glad for you that they did catch it early. You still have some treatment to go, however it all sounds positive.

Keep checking in with us all during your treatment. They're a great bunch here, who can give you support and advice along the way. 

Wishing you a safe and happy festive period with your family and friends.

Sending you a big cuddle, Trace ????????

Hi

I was diagnosed in May with Stage 3 Grade 3 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma and was told at the time of diagnosis that when they looked at the mammogram from last year it was there then but the Drs just decided it was breast density. The only reason they had a second look this time was because I had enlarged lymph nodes as well - that is because the cancer was in 4 of those as well.  I have lost a lot of faith in Mammograms now and would only recommend an ultrasound to someone with a concern. 

Rene, I want to give you cuddles too...

I'd be interested to know just how many mammograms have not picked up the cancers and just how many GP's and Surgeons skimp through the reports and only give you half a story.  Seems like a common thing !!

Ronnie

Oh Debra, that was quick and so much to take in, in such a short time.  I just want to give you a cuddle, as I can't, I'm sending you a big one.

Good luck today and if you need a place to scream, this is it.

Thinking of you.

Ronnie.

My mastectomy is booked in for Jan 13...

I am so sorry that you have had to join us Angie.

My story is similar to Ronnie's.  I found a lump next to my nipple in February 2014 and my GP sent me for ultrasound.  Ultrasound showed two lumps and the report stated 'benign cyst'.  I asked the GP if I could have it checked again in a couple months and he said if it would give me peace of mind then yes.  So I went again in 6 months.  Second ultrasound check up still indicated benign cyst, GP even called it a "beautiful round cycst and said cancer doesn't look that pretty and round" but what my GP failed to tell me was the report recommended I could either come back in 6 mths again or have an FNA (I didn't know what FNA meant at the time) If I had known FNA was fine needle aspiration and I knew the radiologyst had suggested it, I would have opted for that instead of just coming back again in 6 mths but wasn't given the opion.  GP just skimped through report saying "still pretty much the same beautiful round lump, we can follow up in 6 months again " (NO MENTION OF THE FNA I COULD HAVE).  So again I waited 6 months and January 2015 (12 months after I initially found a lump in my breast) when I went for my ultrasound all hell broke loose as my 'benign cysts' of the past 12 months had doubled in size and was so completely irregular and different looking that they immediately asked for FNA.  FNA next day, and was told the following day that I had 3 malignant tumours (invasive ductal carcinoma). Was sent for a mammogram and low and behold, Mammogram didn't show the tumours clear enough because of my dense breast tissue.  My surgeon said "Good thing you did ultrasound, because that showed your tumours better and we would not have seen it on mammogram"!

Had a mastectomy and 2 nodes involved so had a auxilliary lymph clearance one week later.  I am upset that campaigns and advertisements prompt us to screen ourselves and always go on about early detection, but how much earlier should i have found it?  I found it 12 months earlier when it was small and had not spread anywhere yet but they still let me fall through the cracks!

I will forever wonder if my cysts were really just benign and turned into cancer those last couple of months?  or does the fact that I have now tested positive for the BRCA2 gene mutation means I had cancer from the get go? 

Anyway, I am a strong advocate now for ultrasounds!  If anyone suspect they have a lump or irregularity, ask your GP for an ultrasound! and read the report yourself, don't just trust the GP to skimp through a report.

I hope your treatment goes well.  My heart goes out to you

hugs

Rene

Hi Ronnie, I felt a lump went to my doctor on Friday he organised ultrasound for Monday, had FNA on Wednesday two 6mm lesions, called back to my doctor Friday he booked me to see a surgeon that afternoon. Surgeon sent me for mammograms, ultrasound and they picked up the 4cm tumor the other ultrasound didn't, had core biopsies both breasts. Got to the surgeon 6.30 pm told me double mastectomy. Had it on Wednesday last week. I'm devastated all this happened so quickly.  Going back to my surgeon today for results and plan..so so scared how did you go with yours. 

Debra

I am the one who's sorry for ranting, think I realised when I was writing that, that I was holding some anger in.

Cheers

Ronnie

I'm sorry if my post upset you Ronnie

i would have not known any better myself, if it was not for my GP who felt that a combined approach was best, hence we did not use BreastScreen at all but did the mammo/ultrasound via a private radiology clinic

definetly a message we should convey to others too

best of luck with your upcoming treatment