Re: Question for women about dense breast tissue and breast cancer

[Guest guest]

Lori wrote:

> Two first cousins (maternal, paternal) had breast cancer when they were young.

Both were treated effectively at first. One came back and took my cousin's life

(maternal side). My other cousin is doing well.

Just wondered if anyone has gone through this.

Lori,

I have fibrocystic breasts and had to have a sterotactial biopsy and then an out

patient biopsy. Both were negative. The older you get and your hormones are not

fueling the cancer, the less chance of breast cancer.

Of course, I was very scared at that time. I also had to quit drinking

caffeine, but they say now this is not true.

This is a statement from the internet:

Expectations (prognosis)

Fibrocystic breast changes do not increase your risk of breast cancer. Symptoms

usually improve after menopause.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth

There is a breast survey they do on women who have breast cancer in their

family. I know that there are breast care specialists now that will follow you

if you do not feel you are getting appropriate care.

The ultrasounds and MRI are able to see what the mammogram does not and sounds

like you are getting good care.

I am followed yearly. Bennie

[Guest guest]

Thanks Bennie. I read a recent study out of Princeton (I think). They saw a

correlation between dense breast tissue and breast cancer development. I'm 43.

Started mammograms at 37 due to mammogram findings. Skipped last two years. Now

both have suspicious spots. Doing ultra sound next.

The second scary part is that many women die because doctors assume they are

seeing dense breast tissue when a tumor is hiding and a biopsy doesn't get a

tumor sample and shows negative.

Lori

[Guest guest]

Lori wrote:

> The second scary part is that many women die because doctors assume they are

seeing dense breast tissue when a tumor is hiding and a biopsy doesn't get a

tumor sample and shows negative.

Lori,

This site below had one of the articles you mentioned plus others on Breast

Cancer. I, also, was told I could skip two years but it concerns me to do so .

When they came out with the new guidelines about mammograms not having to be

done so often and examining your breasts, it bothered me.

I asked for a baseline test for Cancer, CA 125 and here is a website about

cancer lab markers.

http://tinyurl.com/3jtrz67

Website below has breast cancer articles:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100428173335.htm

It is very important for self examination, same time each month and report

changes as the Doctor is just examining you for fifteen minutes and do not know

the feel of your breasts. The American Cancer Society has classes on these.

Good Luck on your tests.

Bennie

[Guest guest]

> Lori wrote:

> The second scary part is that many women die because doctors assume they are

seeing dense breast tissue when a tumor is hiding and a biopsy doesn't get a

tumor sample and shows negative.

> Bennie wrote:

> When they came out with the new guidelines about mammograms not having to be

done so often and examining your breasts, it bothered me.

Lori & Bennie,

I have fibrous breasts from one side of my family. My breasts are very lumpy.

I often get asked if interns can do an examination just so they can feel very

fibrous breasts. I guess most breasts do not feel like mine <smile>.

And I have a very high-risk of breast cancer from the other. My mother died of

metastasized breast cancer. Her grandmother of " rotten breasts " Her sister and

2 of my female cousins have breast cancer currently.

My doctor ordered a baseline mammogram and ultrasound when I was in my late 20's

and I have been getting a mammogram every year since with ultrasounds as needed.

I am in my mid-40s now. I've needed an ultrasound follow-up about every other

year. I am fortunate that I have not had to have a biopsy.

Last year, with a new doctor, we re-examined whether I should continue getting

annual mammograms. My doctor and I discussed the risks of annual radiation

exposure (pretty low) with MY chances of having breast cancer (pretty high).

She said most insurance will still cover annual mammograms as long as the doctor

justifies the risk. My insurance did not even question the annual mammograms.

Also, in the last place I lived, there was a women's health center that did

mammograms, follow-up ultrasounds (if needed) and biopsies (if needed) all in

one visit. I thought this was a brilliant service. I did not even have to get

dressed between the mammogram and the ultrasound. You might ask about a place

that does this as it eliminates that horrible wait and worry in between each

test.

[Guest guest]

And I have a very high-risk of breast cancer from the other. My mother died of

metastasized breast cancer. Her grandmother of " rotten breasts " Her sister and

2 of my female cousins have breast cancer currently.

My doctor ordered a baseline mammogram and ultrasound when I was in my late 20's

and I have been getting a mammogram every year since with ultrasounds as needed.

I am in my mid-40s now. I've needed an ultrasound follow-up about every other

year. I am fortunate that I have not had to have a biopsy.

Hi

Have you had the BRACA 1 and 2 genetic tests? It seems like it would

be a good idea. I don't know how expensive it is, but hopefully your

insurance would cover it.

You are very wise to be vigilant about mammograms and ultrasounds.

I am past due for a routine mammogram, so I better get it done

Kaylene

[Guest guest]

> wrote:

> Also, in the last place I lived, there was a women's health center that did

mammograms, follow-up ultrasounds (if needed) and biopsies (if needed) all in

one visit.

All,

Just wanted to mention that there are two mammography exams-screening and

diagnostic. Screening is limited views and diagnostic takes compression and

other views. Your Doctor has to specify this or the facility will just do the

screening and unless there is justification, insurance just pays for screening.

I believe everyone with a history of fibrocystic disease should have diagnostic

exams. Young women tend to have dense breast tissue. Breast Cancer does have

some specific characteristics and has calcifications and looks like stars to me

on the exams.

Multiple views to include the lymph glands in the axillary area, compression,

all help the tumors to be seen.

Four years ago, I was turning my water sprinkler off behind the bushes and a

brown recluse bite me on my right breast. It began with a blister and I thought

my bra had just rubbed me raw as I did not see or feel the spider.

Within three days my tissue was black and rotting and I had a hole there. I had

to go three times a week for debridment and I have very thin skin there.

I also have my Doctors want to see this. No many people, it seems have been bit

on their breast by a brown recluse. Bennie

[Guest guest]

Oh my goodness, Bennie! That sounds horribly painful.

I'm headed back for a diagnostic mam and breast ultrasound.

Bennie wrote:

Four years ago, I was turning my water sprinkler off behind the bushes and a

brown recluse bite me on my right breast. It began with a blister and I thought

my bra had just rubbed me raw as I did not see or feel the spider.

Within three days my tissue was black and rotting and I had a hole there. I had

to go three times a week for debridment and I have very thin skin there.

I also have my Doctors want to see this. No many people, it seems have been bit

on their breast by a brown recluse. Bennie