Campaign free MRIs for dense breasts
I think it is about time we campaigned for MRIs to be standard for women with dense breasts and for women newly diagnosed with breast cancer. Who out there knows if they have dense breasts? Don't c...
Forum Discussion
Hi Lisa
Well done! Elsewhere in the world women are told if they have dense breasts on their first mammogram and MRs are standard.
For those of us at risk MRIs will detect tumors while still in the duct. Resulting in massive savings on the health system.
About 10 years ago I had a lumpectomy on the other breast. It was benign. What my breast surgeon should have told me was: "you have dense breasts and you need regular mammograms and breast scans or MRI. Breast cancer is harder to detect in dense breasts and you have greater chance of developing breast cancer. Also, having had a lumpectomy - risk is higher". Instead he said to me: "you are fine - nothing wrong with you - you just have lumpy breasts - goodbye!" So, I never bothered with mammograms after that and when I discovered the new lump I didnt worry. I only had it checked when it started to itch and of course it was breast cancer.
I now research everything! Women need access to as much information as they can get their hands on and it should be readily available in Australia. Most of my information comes from major websites in America or England. Australian women deserve to be fully informed and they deserve worlds best practice - not third world care! MRIs are a necessity not an extravagance!
Well done to BCNA. Given current policital climate response may be in the negative but we need to keep fighting for this - it will save many lives. If the Govt put their thinking caps on they will see the cost benefit of MRIs.
Thanks Sue