When I was 35 years ago - I found a very large black spot on my left breast... I of course freaked due to my family history of cancer and immediately went to urgent care.... The urgent care doctor was also concerned and sent me for an emergency mammogram and ultrasound.. The finding came back that I had a blood infection and antibiotics took care of it... Because of my family history - the doctors advised me to continue having a yearly mammogram...
Last week two things happened.... On Wednesday - I had my 10th year in a row yearly mammogram and on Thursday - my mom had a double Mastectomy... (she is doing well - thank you all for your thoughtful prayers and encouragement)... Yesterday (Monday) - I received a phone call AND a letter in the mail from the Breast Center... It seems that my mammogram has an area that the doctor would like to evaluate further... I was told that I had a "high density" in my left breast ( an increase from last year) - A dense breast shows as white and cancer shows as white on the mammogram and it is very difficult to see if there are any abnormalities... Picture trying to see at a polar bear (cancer) in a snow storm (density)... Kind of tricky... So tomorrow - I am going back in for a 2nd mammogram and ultrasound... possibly a MRI too depending on the findings... To say I am a little concerned does not begin to scratch the surface...
I was reading about dense breasts - family history - and cancer last night and ran across an article from the National Cancer Institute regarding - Preventative Mastectomies.. I thought I would never consider it but... The article described the ideal candidate for this procedure... Do you think I fit? And would you do this?
*Previous breast cancer - No
*Family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer- Breast cancer - Yes, both maternal and paternal grandmothers, my mom, several aunts, and cousins. Ovarian cancer - Yes, aunt and cousin.
*Breast cancer-causing gene alteration - I do not know - (but will get tested if recommended)
*Lobular carcinoma in situ - I don't know - but I would not be surprised
*Dense breasts - Yes
*Radiation therapy - No
Key Points:
** Existing data suggests that preventive mastectomy may significantly reduce (by about 90%) the chance of developing breast cancer in moderate and high risk women.
** Dense breast tissue is linked to an increased risk of breast cancer and also makes diagnosing breast abnormalities difficult. Multiple biopsies, which may be necessary for diagnosing abnormalities in dense breasts, cause scarring and further complicate examination of the breast tissue, by both a physical examination and mammography..
** large breast also make it difficult for a full visual ( I am a DDD)
*** Please note - this and any medical decision should be discussed with your doctor....
What Would You Do... Seriously?
