Got dense boobies?

[Anonymous]

First mammogram stated results were normal, but because my breasts are dense it is harder to detect cancer and it may increase my chances of breast cancer? This is common. Anyone have more info to share? Did you get a breast MRI or 3-d mammography? How can they tell me results are normal when apparently it's really difficult to find cancer in dense breasts?

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't worry much about it. Lots of women have dense breasts and just get mammograms. The risk of missing a tumor is quite low. From this point on, they will be looking for changes from one mammogram image to another. Research is also showing that while cancers can be detected earlier with mammogram, the death rates have not changed, meaning those that are aggressive will continue to be aggressive (i.e. come back, etc).

Just do a monthly check and report any lumps. My doc said they are distinctive as they often feel like a rooted pebble, rather than a round, rubbery movable ball, which is more likely to be a cyst.

[Anonymous]

No. Mine are brilliant.

[Anonymous]

I get one of those letters after every mammogram. Just part of life for a woman with small breasts (airport here), as if the pinching is not bad enough.

[Anonymous]

I've had to do a couple of re tests as a result of dense breasts but the new machines should take care of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I get one of those letters after every mammogram. Just part of life for a woman with small breasts (airport here), as if the pinching is not bad enough.

I was wondering if us smaller breasted ladies are more likely to have it! I googled it and found nothing. Interesting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't worry much about it. Lots of women have dense breasts and just get mammograms. The risk of missing a tumor is quite low. From this point on, they will be looking for changes from one mammogram image to another. Research is also showing that while cancers can be detected earlier with mammogram, the death rates have not changed, meaning those that are aggressive will continue to be aggressive (i.e. come back, etc).

Just do a monthly check and report any lumps. My doc said they are distinctive as they often feel like a rooted pebble, rather than a round, rubbery movable ball, which is more likely to be a cyst.

That makes sense. I guess I should get copies of the images too?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't worry much about it. Lots of women have dense breasts and just get mammograms. The risk of missing a tumor is quite low. From this point on, they will be looking for changes from one mammogram image to another. Research is also showing that while cancers can be detected earlier with mammogram, the death rates have not changed, meaning those that are aggressive will continue to be aggressive (i.e. come back, etc).

Just do a monthly check and report any lumps. My doc said they are distinctive as they often feel like a rooted pebble, rather than a round, rubbery movable ball, which is more likely to be a cyst.

Also be aware of a thickening of the breast or fullness in one part of the breast. I thought breast cancer would appear as a lump. Recently diagnosed and there was no lump.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't worry much about it. Lots of women have dense breasts and just get mammograms. The risk of missing a tumor is quite low. From this point on, they will be looking for changes from one mammogram image to another. Research is also showing that while cancers can be detected earlier with mammogram, the death rates have not changed, meaning those that are aggressive will continue to be aggressive (i.e. come back, etc).

Just do a monthly check and report any lumps. My doc said they are distinctive as they often feel like a rooted pebble, rather than a round, rubbery movable ball, which is more likely to be a cyst.

This is a myth, that cancer doesn't move. In the old days it wasn't detected until it attached to the chest wall but these days thats rarely the case. My breast cancer moved. It was also bigger than a pebble. I'm pretty shocked a doctor is paying on this info.

My cancer was not picked up by a mammogram because of dense breasts. I agree that the benefit of mammograms has been overstated but they do have a benefit and if your breasts are dense you should supplement with an MRI or 3D ultrasound.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't worry much about it. Lots of women have dense breasts and just get mammograms. The risk of missing a tumor is quite low. From this point on, they will be looking for changes from one mammogram image to another. Research is also showing that while cancers can be detected earlier with mammogram, the death rates have not changed, meaning those that are aggressive will continue to be aggressive (i.e. come back, etc).

Just do a monthly check and report any lumps. My doc said they are distinctive as they often feel like a rooted pebble, rather than a round, rubbery movable ball, which is more likely to be a cyst.

That makes sense. I guess I should get copies of the images too?

I would, yes, in case you decide to change providers at any point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't worry much about it. Lots of women have dense breasts and just get mammograms. The risk of missing a tumor is quite low. From this point on, they will be looking for changes from one mammogram image to another. Research is also showing that while cancers can be detected earlier with mammogram, the death rates have not changed, meaning those that are aggressive will continue to be aggressive (i.e. come back, etc).

Just do a monthly check and report any lumps. My doc said they are distinctive as they often feel like a rooted pebble, rather than a round, rubbery movable ball, which is more likely to be a cyst.

This is a myth, that cancer doesn't move. In the old days it wasn't detected until it attached to the chest wall but these days thats rarely the case. My breast cancer moved. It was also bigger than a pebble. I'm pretty shocked a doctor is paying on this info.

My cancer was not picked up by a mammogram because of dense breasts. I agree that the benefit of mammograms has been overstated but they do have a benefit and if your breasts are dense you should supplement with an MRI or 3D ultrasound.

When he said pebble, he was talking texture, not size. As for movability, not sure. I can tell you that he's correct regarding what's more likely to be cystic and what isn't.

I think one has to balance risk vs. witch hunt.

[Anonymous]

From what I've been able to determine, dense breasts means less fat, more tissue ratio. It's easier to do a mammogram when there is a lot of breast to read. It's the price you pay for being in shape.

[Anonymous]

Yes. Silicone will do that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No. Mine are brilliant.

Mine, too. They're just not challenged in AAP. Any ideas on how to keep them from getting bored?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No. Mine are brilliant.

Mine, too. They're just not challenged in AAP. Any ideas on how to keep them from getting bored?

Well I am offended at the terminology "dense." My boobies are quite fabulous and who is anyone to call them dense? They are just jealous of my superior boobies. For the record we could get into AAP because my girls belong there, but I hear AAP is filled with boobs who's parents will do anything to inflate them and make them seem bigger and better than they are. Plus, there are so many full blown fakes out there and I guess the evaluators sometimes can't tell the difference.