Dense breasts?

[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

[emily_in_nc]

I always got noted as having dense breasts pre-menopause. The last mammo I got, last year, I was finally menopausal, and the attendant asked me if I had lost a lot of weight. Uh, no...just gone through menopause -- they have definitely shrunk! I can feel that my 53-year old breasts are much softer and less dense. It's a blessing in some ways since a lump would be much easier to find. Pre-menopause, they always felt lumpy and bumpy.

In other words, you're perfectly normal, IMO.

[thekarens]

I always got noted as having dense breasts pre-menopause. The last mammo I got, last year, I was finally menopausal, and the attendant asked me if I had lost a lot of weight. Uh, no...just gone through menopause -- they have definitely shrunk! I can feel that my 53-year old breasts are much softer and less dense. It's a blessing in some ways since a lump would be much easier to find. Pre-menopause, they always felt lumpy and bumpy.

In other words, you're perfectly normal, IMO.

Thanks for the reassurance Emily

[Wasp]

I had no clue that I also have "dense" breasts until I overheard an off hand comment from one of the tech's and I started asking questions. Discussed this with my Dr and asked why she was sending me for mammograms which are quite difficult to read properly if the breast tissue is dense when ultrasound produces better results. I now skip the mammograms and have the ultrasound done annually.

[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.