Detecting cancer in women with dense breasts: MRI?

I had a unilateral mastectomy February 2022, a year ago next week. I had a “ normal “ mammo and ultrasound in October ‘21 but due to an undiagnosed persistent symptom I requested an MRI 2 mos later vs. 6 mos later… TWO, not ONE intermediate size tumors were found. Two biopsies later I was scheduled for surgery.

October ‘22 I had another “ normal” mammo and ultrasound of intact healthy breast. And today I had an MRI ( which I will have annually ).

Just as it was near finished the tech paused and said she had to redo last part.. I hope this is a fairly common thing.. where they need to recalibrate or something . I’m definitely on edge here until I get results. This is a very challenging anniversary week!

Dense breasts?! REQUEST THE MRI!

Mammos miss 10% of breast cancers… it should be a standard add on for women with dense breasts.

@anjalima
I also have very dense breasts. After the first tumor was noted on MRI, followed by lumpectomy, I asked the surgeon about MRI because I was worried about the other breast. Good thing she agreed since the oncologist did not think I needed an MRI -- well, the MRI showed a second tumor in the same breast on the opposite and inner upper side which turned out to be neuroendocrine cancer which is highly aggressive and doesn't usually start in the breast tissue. Had we not gotten that MRI, my future would be quite different. The other breast was clear (thank goodness). Since that time, the oncologist puts in for 3D mammograms for me and I still have PET scans performed because of the neuroendocrine diagnosis. If it was just the original invasive ductal cancer, I would not be receiving the PET scans.

I forgot to say I am thinking of you and hope you get great results ❤️

I am crossing my fingers and my toes, while I wait with you for those results. I am glad you are advocating for yourself and getting what you need.
I no longer get mammograms, but it was easy to ask a couple friends about the reports they receive. I am now telling them all, if you have dense breast to request an MRI, the asking never hurt anybody.
Please come and let me know when you get your results.

I had a unilateral mastectomy February 2022, a year ago next week. I had a “ normal “ mammo and ultrasound in October ‘21 but due to an undiagnosed persistent symptom I requested an MRI 2 mos later vs. 6 mos later… TWO, not ONE intermediate size tumors were found. Two biopsies later I was scheduled for surgery.

October ‘22 I had another “ normal” mammo and ultrasound of intact healthy breast. And today I had an MRI ( which I will have annually ).

Just as it was near finished the tech paused and said she had to redo last part.. I hope this is a fairly common thing.. where they need to recalibrate or something . I’m definitely on edge here until I get results. This is a very challenging anniversary week!

Dense breasts?! REQUEST THE MRI!

Mammos miss 10% of breast cancers… it should be a standard add on for women with dense breasts.

All good news on the MRI! Such a gift on my ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY . Thank you all for your support. 🌸

@anjalima I totally agree about MRIs. That is how the dr found my cancer. I have dense breasts. Had a uni-masectomy about 2 1/2 yrs ago. Thank goodness for my dr wanting to see more into the dense tissue. I have yearly MRIs w/ Mammo @ 6 months in between. Blessings & praying for the best results.
Update : saw your post! So happy all was good.

Recently I heard on the News about Mammography findings with women with dense breast tissue. It mentioned dense breast could miss detecting breast cancer. I have dense breasts and often wondered if my cancer was not as visible After complaining ( frequently) about sore n painful breasts I had a repeat mammogram that showed evidence! After almost year later , I wondered if I hadn’t kept complaining, if my cancer wouldn't have been found till year later and growing faster ! So I’m very excited to hear about new changes for women with dense tissue having clearer mammogram reading 👍