Dense breasts/mastectomy/ongoing survei
Hi all. Since diagnosis in December of invasive ductal carcinoma Her2 positive and estrogen and progesterone positive. Found only in right breast. i was told chemo lumpectomy. Now all of a sudden surg...
Forum Discussion
TBH, I don't believe breasts become less dense as we age ... or that they become more dense because of having children - as I didn't have any .....
I was told I had 'lumpy' breasts in my 20s ('lumpy' being a pseudonym for dense breasts) and have never had children or been pregnant, so there have been no hormonal changes to my breasts. I am now in my late 60s and do not anticipate my breasts becoming less dense as I age - altho they mention that breasts become less dense after menopause. Well that was over 20 years ago for me - I started menopause in my early 40s.
Technically the Onc saying dense breasts doesn't cause cancer would be correct - but having dense breasts are responsible for the BC being more advanced when identified, in some cases even Stage 4 at first diagnosis.
So it stands to reason that those with dense breast tissue SHOULD have more advanced detection methods earlier, including at the very least, Ultrasound & MRI etc.
I've had mammograms ever since hitting 50 (yes, I also didn't know they were available from 40!) and my tumours were detected by my GP just 3-4 months after my 'clear' mammogram. I had Invasive Lobular Cancer (which is more difficult to detect again!) and had a lumpectomy with 'immediate recon', followed by radiation & now on tablets. If my GP hadn't found the tumours 2 years ago - they would have most likely been missed again by the mammogram reminder I had last Oct!
The FDA in the USA have proposed that women with dense breast tissue be advised of the fact & have US and/or MRI as additional screening aids. When this comes in - I can only hope that all breast screening in Australian states follow suit. So far, only WA advises their women of their breast density.
https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/dealing-with-high-density-breasts
But we still need stay 'in tune' with our body changes re aches & pains, as @primek says - having mastectomies doesn't reduce the chances of mets - so, stay vigilant!
I was told I had 'lumpy' breasts in my 20s ('lumpy' being a pseudonym for dense breasts) and have never had children or been pregnant, so there have been no hormonal changes to my breasts. I am now in my late 60s and do not anticipate my breasts becoming less dense as I age - altho they mention that breasts become less dense after menopause. Well that was over 20 years ago for me - I started menopause in my early 40s.
Technically the Onc saying dense breasts doesn't cause cancer would be correct - but having dense breasts are responsible for the BC being more advanced when identified, in some cases even Stage 4 at first diagnosis.
So it stands to reason that those with dense breast tissue SHOULD have more advanced detection methods earlier, including at the very least, Ultrasound & MRI etc.
I've had mammograms ever since hitting 50 (yes, I also didn't know they were available from 40!) and my tumours were detected by my GP just 3-4 months after my 'clear' mammogram. I had Invasive Lobular Cancer (which is more difficult to detect again!) and had a lumpectomy with 'immediate recon', followed by radiation & now on tablets. If my GP hadn't found the tumours 2 years ago - they would have most likely been missed again by the mammogram reminder I had last Oct!
The FDA in the USA have proposed that women with dense breast tissue be advised of the fact & have US and/or MRI as additional screening aids. When this comes in - I can only hope that all breast screening in Australian states follow suit. So far, only WA advises their women of their breast density.
https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/dealing-with-high-density-breasts
But we still need stay 'in tune' with our body changes re aches & pains, as @primek says - having mastectomies doesn't reduce the chances of mets - so, stay vigilant!