To MRI or not for first post-diagnosis scan
hi, i'm 46 and was diagnosed with in-situ and invasive lobular cancer in my right breast in november (multi-centric and multi-focal, grade 3, ki67 23%, er/pr+ / her2-). i've had neo-adjuvant chemo, a skin sparing mastectomy and am in my second week of radio therapy. i was pre-menopause prior to chemo and i have no family history of breast cancer that i know of, although i do of other cancers. i am hoping to have DIEP reconstruction once i've recovered from radio. i will be undergoing genetic testing to help inform the decision re. removal of my left breast.
i had no indication that i had cancer (i decided to go for a mammogram as part of a general check-up) and the mammogram only identified one area of concern in my right breast. my follow-up ultrasound showed that it was multi-centric and multi-focal. my breast surgeon commented that Breastscreen had "done well" to spot my cancer as i had very dense breast tissue and it was quite difficult to see the cancer even on the ultrasound, particularly because of the way invasive lobular presents itself. it wasn't until my MRI that the full extent of the cancer was confirmed (being larger than thought from the ultrasound).
discussions at the early stages of diagnoses with my breast surgeon and my medical oncologist were always that i would have MRIs of my left breast in the future. however, since my surgery my breast surgeon has said that she would advise against an MRI as my breast density will have changed as i am classed as menopausal. while i haven't had a period since the second session of chemo (of 6), I have had no other tests to determine this. she has given me a referral for a mammorgram and ultrasound for my left breast.
i had started to view an annual breast MRI as a safety-net of sorts and it truly terrifies me not to be having it (on top of the general terror of just even thinking about my first post-diagnosis check-up).
i have complete confidence in my breast surgeon, but would appreciate the thoughts of others who may have had a similar experience, or would generally like to comment and share their thoughts :):smile:
thank you!
lvlw
xxx
i had no indication that i had cancer (i decided to go for a mammogram as part of a general check-up) and the mammogram only identified one area of concern in my right breast. my follow-up ultrasound showed that it was multi-centric and multi-focal. my breast surgeon commented that Breastscreen had "done well" to spot my cancer as i had very dense breast tissue and it was quite difficult to see the cancer even on the ultrasound, particularly because of the way invasive lobular presents itself. it wasn't until my MRI that the full extent of the cancer was confirmed (being larger than thought from the ultrasound).
discussions at the early stages of diagnoses with my breast surgeon and my medical oncologist were always that i would have MRIs of my left breast in the future. however, since my surgery my breast surgeon has said that she would advise against an MRI as my breast density will have changed as i am classed as menopausal. while i haven't had a period since the second session of chemo (of 6), I have had no other tests to determine this. she has given me a referral for a mammorgram and ultrasound for my left breast.
i had started to view an annual breast MRI as a safety-net of sorts and it truly terrifies me not to be having it (on top of the general terror of just even thinking about my first post-diagnosis check-up).
i have complete confidence in my breast surgeon, but would appreciate the thoughts of others who may have had a similar experience, or would generally like to comment and share their thoughts :):smile:
thank you!
lvlw
xxx
