Please make sure you are in control of your body!
Comments
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AMEN!!
I was dx. with ovarian cancer July 2010, BRAC (-) and have been on Avastin all year as part of a clinical trial. I have always been told I had extremely dense breast tissue, thinking so what, so have a lot of women. I had a mammogram last year and again in October this year and both times I got an "all clear" letter. I felt a lump in my breast within a month of my mammogram. Long story short, I have a 2.5cm tumor in my right breast. ER+, HER2+. The breast surgeon said he had never seen breast tissue that dense in someone my age (51)and that reading my mammograms would be very difficult. Gee, would have been nice for the radiologist, who saw I was battling ovarian cancer, to say they couldn't really see anything, perhaps do an ultrasound? I would suggest that we at least get a copy of our report, not just the letter, and if it says "extremely dense breast tissue" translate that to mean they can't see anything. My tumor didn't even show up on the diagnostic mammogram, only on the ultrasound.0 -
Same Thing!taiga said:AMEN!!
I was dx. with ovarian cancer July 2010, BRAC (-) and have been on Avastin all year as part of a clinical trial. I have always been told I had extremely dense breast tissue, thinking so what, so have a lot of women. I had a mammogram last year and again in October this year and both times I got an "all clear" letter. I felt a lump in my breast within a month of my mammogram. Long story short, I have a 2.5cm tumor in my right breast. ER+, HER2+. The breast surgeon said he had never seen breast tissue that dense in someone my age (51)and that reading my mammograms would be very difficult. Gee, would have been nice for the radiologist, who saw I was battling ovarian cancer, to say they couldn't really see anything, perhaps do an ultrasound? I would suggest that we at least get a copy of our report, not just the letter, and if it says "extremely dense breast tissue" translate that to mean they can't see anything. My tumor didn't even show up on the diagnostic mammogram, only on the ultrasound.
I too have been told about the extremly dense breast. Would have thought they would have told me that about 10 years ago! They couldn't see anything either. I was part of the Avastin Trial as well. I took that for a year. To Me all clear on a mamo means nothing, but to someone without dense breast I am sure it is a very good tool.0 -
Dense tissue? So what? .... Indeed!
Like everyone else who has posted so far, most of my docs have ignored the "dense tissue" part of my reports. However, with the last 2 reports, the radiologists have put "heterogeneously dense tissue which may lower the sensitivity of mammography." I have had one ultrasound as a result, but only of the affected (DCIS, lumpectomy, radiation) breast. I have to beg for an ultrasound of the other breast, which is also dense and at higher than normal risk for cancer development due to having had DCIS in the other breast. Hasn't gotten me anywhere EXCEPT with my breast surgeon, who specializes in breast cancer (not enhancements, etc.) That doctor is FEMALE. Do you suppose she listens to my requests because she understands more? She's one of the best surgeons in the Phoenix area.
My breasts are quite large so self-exams, doctor exams, and ultrasounds take a little longer. Mammos and MRIs take the same amount of time whether the breasts are large or small. See, I really got the feeling that the radiologist who interpreted the last mammogram felt really "put-out" when I asked, "I thought I was also supposed to have an ultrasound" after the bi-lateral mammo was completed and they were rushing me out the door. She DID insist that only the affected side needed to be ultrasounded, not both, even though the doc had ordered both.
It's tough to stand up and take control when you are fighting against the very people who are treating you. And who wants to antagonize the people who are interpreting the xrays and other images!!! But it is SO good to be aware that, yes, doctors (and others) sometimes have priorities other than what is best for you. Sad but true.
Fight for what you think is best for you. No one else will.
~~Connie~~0 -
ALL Test Results & Doctor's Notetaiga said:AMEN!!
I was dx. with ovarian cancer July 2010, BRAC (-) and have been on Avastin all year as part of a clinical trial. I have always been told I had extremely dense breast tissue, thinking so what, so have a lot of women. I had a mammogram last year and again in October this year and both times I got an "all clear" letter. I felt a lump in my breast within a month of my mammogram. Long story short, I have a 2.5cm tumor in my right breast. ER+, HER2+. The breast surgeon said he had never seen breast tissue that dense in someone my age (51)and that reading my mammograms would be very difficult. Gee, would have been nice for the radiologist, who saw I was battling ovarian cancer, to say they couldn't really see anything, perhaps do an ultrasound? I would suggest that we at least get a copy of our report, not just the letter, and if it says "extremely dense breast tissue" translate that to mean they can't see anything. My tumor didn't even show up on the diagnostic mammogram, only on the ultrasound.
One should have a copy of the results of all tests (ct, PET, MRI, ultrasound, Blood, bone) and just as important a copy of your doctors, surgeon notes of your visit. You will be surprise what you read, what they think they said and did not and etc. One wants to be on the same page as them or if not, understand why the difference.
Results and notes belong to you, the person who is the most interested in it. One pays for these tests and appointments and should have the paper to show for them.
My 2 cents worth.
Best,
Doris0 -
My oncologist has me get aSIROD said:ALL Test Results & Doctor's Note
One should have a copy of the results of all tests (ct, PET, MRI, ultrasound, Blood, bone) and just as important a copy of your doctors, surgeon notes of your visit. You will be surprise what you read, what they think they said and did not and etc. One wants to be on the same page as them or if not, understand why the difference.
Results and notes belong to you, the person who is the most interested in it. One pays for these tests and appointments and should have the paper to show for them.
My 2 cents worth.
Best,
Doris
My oncologist has me get a mammo and ultrasound every 6 months and a MRI every year, which I am grateful for. I know that sometimes bc doesn't show up on a mammo.
Hugs, Angie0 -
Doris and Conniecrselby said:Dense tissue? So what? .... Indeed!
Like everyone else who has posted so far, most of my docs have ignored the "dense tissue" part of my reports. However, with the last 2 reports, the radiologists have put "heterogeneously dense tissue which may lower the sensitivity of mammography." I have had one ultrasound as a result, but only of the affected (DCIS, lumpectomy, radiation) breast. I have to beg for an ultrasound of the other breast, which is also dense and at higher than normal risk for cancer development due to having had DCIS in the other breast. Hasn't gotten me anywhere EXCEPT with my breast surgeon, who specializes in breast cancer (not enhancements, etc.) That doctor is FEMALE. Do you suppose she listens to my requests because she understands more? She's one of the best surgeons in the Phoenix area.
My breasts are quite large so self-exams, doctor exams, and ultrasounds take a little longer. Mammos and MRIs take the same amount of time whether the breasts are large or small. See, I really got the feeling that the radiologist who interpreted the last mammogram felt really "put-out" when I asked, "I thought I was also supposed to have an ultrasound" after the bi-lateral mammo was completed and they were rushing me out the door. She DID insist that only the affected side needed to be ultrasounded, not both, even though the doc had ordered both.
It's tough to stand up and take control when you are fighting against the very people who are treating you. And who wants to antagonize the people who are interpreting the xrays and other images!!! But it is SO good to be aware that, yes, doctors (and others) sometimes have priorities other than what is best for you. Sad but true.
Fight for what you think is best for you. No one else will.
~~Connie~~
Doris and Connie, I know exactly what you mean.I've been through the mill so many times with misdiagnosis.Not for cancer but other medical problems.Even ended up in the hospital for a month. I was told I needed to be in the hospital for nerves(nuts) and the doctor told me he was putting me there if I didn't quit complaining.It wasn't nerves with a fever(yes a fever) and throwing up.It was a serious strep bladder infection. I had been taking meds for a month.The WRONG med.The doctor never did a urinalysis(a 3 day culture) to find out what type of infection and what to treat me with. Simple amoxicillin took my fever down within 45 minute after running one for a month. Still I had a port put in and was fed high potent vitamins through a IV for a month. SENSELESS.
The bc hasn't been misdiagnosed but delayed treatment and surgery. It puts alot of stress on the body.What our doctors tell us we DON'T need.
Lynn Smith0 -
I can relateLynn Smith said:Doris and Connie
Doris and Connie, I know exactly what you mean.I've been through the mill so many times with misdiagnosis.Not for cancer but other medical problems.Even ended up in the hospital for a month. I was told I needed to be in the hospital for nerves(nuts) and the doctor told me he was putting me there if I didn't quit complaining.It wasn't nerves with a fever(yes a fever) and throwing up.It was a serious strep bladder infection. I had been taking meds for a month.The WRONG med.The doctor never did a urinalysis(a 3 day culture) to find out what type of infection and what to treat me with. Simple amoxicillin took my fever down within 45 minute after running one for a month. Still I had a port put in and was fed high potent vitamins through a IV for a month. SENSELESS.
The bc hasn't been misdiagnosed but delayed treatment and surgery. It puts alot of stress on the body.What our doctors tell us we DON'T need.
Lynn Smith
I've been getting mammos since I turned 40. In just about every report it's stated that my breast tissue is "extremely dense which appears normal but should be followed up clinically." Low and behold, about 3 months after a "normal" mammo I'm diagnosed with Stage 3C breast cancer with 10 positive nodes. I said to the surgeon--looks like that's been there a while. Of course, he wouldn't confirm or deny that statement.
Hindsight is 20-20, and I'm not a doctor, but I sure wish someone (including myself) had pushed for further testing. But, with no family history (which we all now know doesn't mean much at all) and no symptoms--no further testing was ever done on my "extremely dense breast tissue." My humble opinion is that once again--it's all about money. The doctors are letting the insurance companies take over our care. My friend (who is a cardiologist) told me in not so many words that doctors who "over prescribe testing" are not looked at kindly by the insurance companies and sometimes get red-flagged. Hmmmm. All at our expense.
Anyway, it's a new day and I'm a lot more demanding patient (or, I'll call it very pro-active!)
Have a good one, pinks.
Hugs, Renee0 -
Nana C, this is such an
Nana C, this is such an important post and I thank you for it. It seems that we do have to be our own advocates in order to get the best health care and necessary tests.
Wishing you all the luck for your MRI on the 14th. Let us know your results!
Sue
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I didn't understand what they meant.crselby said:Dense tissue? So what? .... Indeed!
Like everyone else who has posted so far, most of my docs have ignored the "dense tissue" part of my reports. However, with the last 2 reports, the radiologists have put "heterogeneously dense tissue which may lower the sensitivity of mammography." I have had one ultrasound as a result, but only of the affected (DCIS, lumpectomy, radiation) breast. I have to beg for an ultrasound of the other breast, which is also dense and at higher than normal risk for cancer development due to having had DCIS in the other breast. Hasn't gotten me anywhere EXCEPT with my breast surgeon, who specializes in breast cancer (not enhancements, etc.) That doctor is FEMALE. Do you suppose she listens to my requests because she understands more? She's one of the best surgeons in the Phoenix area.
My breasts are quite large so self-exams, doctor exams, and ultrasounds take a little longer. Mammos and MRIs take the same amount of time whether the breasts are large or small. See, I really got the feeling that the radiologist who interpreted the last mammogram felt really "put-out" when I asked, "I thought I was also supposed to have an ultrasound" after the bi-lateral mammo was completed and they were rushing me out the door. She DID insist that only the affected side needed to be ultrasounded, not both, even though the doc had ordered both.
It's tough to stand up and take control when you are fighting against the very people who are treating you. And who wants to antagonize the people who are interpreting the xrays and other images!!! But it is SO good to be aware that, yes, doctors (and others) sometimes have priorities other than what is best for you. Sad but true.
Fight for what you think is best for you. No one else will.
~~Connie~~
I went eight years without a mammogram because two years in a row I was told I had dense breast. I thought that was "code" for saying I was fat and I didn't want my feelings hurt anymore. What they had decided was a cyst, turned out to be cancer eight years later. If I had known then, what I know now, I would have insisted on a biopsy but at that time the thought of breast cancer never ever entered my mind. I urge everyone to ask questions if they don't understand what they are being told about their test results.0 -
Thank You!Ritzy said:Nana C, this is such an
Nana C, this is such an important post and I thank you for it. It seems that we do have to be our own advocates in order to get the best health care and necessary tests.
Wishing you all the luck for your MRI on the 14th. Let us know your results!
Sue
Sue, Thank you so much. That means alot to me.
Hugs
Nana0 -
Dense Breasts
I too had very dense breasts. The mammo did not see the 3 masses. The smallest one was 1.5 cm. I never was really good about checking but even the doctor could not feel the 1.5 cm lump because my breasts were really lumpy anyway.
Needless to say I had a bilateral mastectomy.
Right now the guidelines are that if you have 2 family members with one being your mom or sister, then they may give you a screening MRI. I would think the rads could suggest that a MRI is warranted if the mammo is not effective. Hopefully some day! The good news is that my daughters and my sister all get MRI's now.
If any body has been diagnosed before 50 and has a sister, urge your sister to push for an MRI. I wish I had.
Cindy0
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