Dense breasts?

[thekarens]

I got a letter yesterday regarding my mammogram. It basically said congratulations there were no abnormal findings. However, per state law we have to tell you we don't really know because you have dense breast tissue. We have sent your results to your doctor.

I'm 44 and this is my 4th mammogram. I've been on birth control pills for the last year. Not sure if that's relevant.

[Helene2013]

From what I read/heard, those with dense breast tissues are harder at detecting masses, etc. Thus, very often we are required to go back for Close-ups or even ultrasounds.

Also read that those with dense tissue have higher rate of cancer, especially if women are sugar bugs.

I do have those dense breasts. Even with the breast reduction, there is not much fat in there, mostly tissue. Scary. Now that I am 50, I got a letter 2 weeks after my 50th to tell me I am allowed free annual mammograms. Turning 51 soon and not gone yet. I should tend to this. But the one I had done before my breast reduction (+/- 3 years ago) scared me as they could not see through that "mass", which ended up being a normal fluid pocket. Hoping the surgeon removed it when removing some breast tissue. hihi

[thekarens]

This is the first time I've been told I have dense breasts for whatever that's worth. My mammos are always free so I never put them off.

[ny biker]

I think this is common for younger women.

[thekarens]

I think this is common for younger women.

I'm 44. Does that count as younger?

[ny biker]

I'm 44. Does that count as younger?

In the world of mammograms, yes.

[thekarens]

In the world of mammograms, yes.

Cool, I'll take what I can get

[Raindrop]

I think this is common for younger women.

This is common in younger women, but I also retained my dense breasts after menopause and last year was lucky enough to have a tumor that showed up at the outer edge of my breast instead of within the dense area. It was invasive breast cancer. During my mastectomy my muscle fascia (under the dense area) had a large area of DCIS which meant I had to have 36 radiation treatments.

Now that 3d mammograms are available, I think all women with dense breasts should get them. I was told that for the remainder of my life I'd have to have MRIs, so...I'm having my other breast removed in October so I won't have to worry (hopefully) about a recurrence.

[ny biker]

Thanks for this, Raindrop. I hope you're doing well after the treatments.

[thekarens]

Thanks for this, Raindrop. I hope you're doing well after the treatments.

Ditto! I'm currently on the mammo and ultrasound every 6 months regime.

[thekarens]

Good news! Glad they were able to work with you.

[Helene2013]

I'm back from my close-up mammo and ultrasound. They wanted me back in to check on something on the left side of left breast (I knew it was for left one but did not know which area).

To make matters worst, my left breast (inside near middle of whole breast) was hurting me like crazy for 2 weeks (just 2 weeks ago). I could not stand the "pulse" inside. I even changed bra thinking it may be something with it. I am pre-meno (no periods since last November - yeahhh!) but hormones are playing tricks on your body like we could not believe.

Anway, had the closeup mammo done. I could see things on the xray but not enough to see something clear. Then the wait to get that ultrasound done. I told the doctor I had similar test done 5 years ago prior to breast reduction and it was the right one there was a density and it was cysts only.

She checked the whole area, with 2 different tools and all is good. She showed me while doing the test and explained what she would see if there was a mass. The thing showing up the xray is a cyst. Nothing alarming, nothing to do with it. It will probably be there for life, like any other. It may get bigger, or dissolve. You never know. So once done she said: nothing to worry and we'll see you in 2 years.

Yeah! I thanked her and said I felt very thankful as other women are not as lucky.

[OakLeaf]

Phew! So glad it's all clear.

Now you and your DH heal up from everything else!!

[Helene2013]

Thank you.

Hubby was back into PT last night as he could not even sit on his bike for 5 minutes as pain was too high. She realigned his pelvis, did some stuff and told him to get on his bike when he got home. He did and was able to cycle 30 minutes at 100watts only (for him he's around 200w so it is low) and he was goooood. So happy for him. And me. But this morning he's a bit butt sore but I'm sure it will take a long time to heal from this nasty fall.

At least the breast test is done. All my other medical tests came back ok, but for some higher cholesterol on the light higher side but nothing to worry just yet. So since then we've cut down on most fat/sugar and see when we go in late June for a screening that this is on the right track. Only need now to go for eye exam as I'm nearing the point where I'll need reading glasses. shihssss. The joy of aging! hihi

[Crankin]

Glad it worked out, Helene. I feel for your hubby. I hope he doesn't rush it.
For what it's worth, I eat extremely well, in terms of stuff that is good for keeping cholesterol dwn and my total cholesterol # is really high... my HDL (good cholesterol) is extremely high, which pushes the total up and PCP says there's no way she would put me on meds, since the HDL goes up from endurance activity. My LDL is kind of borderline, but she says just watch over next couple of years, that it must be genetic, since I am a paragon of healthy living compared to other patients. It's frustrating, though.