How common does a 'dense tissue' mammogam happen?

[FirstLight]

(x-post from cancer forum)

I am 43 and just had my first Mammogram... does anyone know how common it is for them to ask for more testing due to breast density? I guess my left breast is harder for them to see and they want me to come back in for another run.

What makes me nervous is that I start weighing all the health factors against me and I think I am screwn...while it doesnt run in my family, I am definitely not as healthy as I "should" be - I got a few risky factors against me.
I also thought this one was more of a 'baseline' so it doesn't feel good that they want another looksie.

been reading articles all over the internet, but I don't think it is making me feel better :/

[Arugula Latte]

1. I'm not sure, but I've been told I have dense tissue too.

I just had a mammogram and they had me go back for another scan during the appointment because they didn't get a clear view the first time.

I know it's hard to not let your imagination run wild but most likely you are just fine.

Then, if you have one in another year or two and it looks the same you'll be reassured.

[FirstLight]

2. thanks

i know, i am not usually worrysome about these things either...I've already got my share of health issues but I'm still defiant and have my bad habits...lol

[dixiegrrrrl]

16. Just went thru the same.

1st exam ended up with repeat sets of mammogram and sonograms, because of "dense" issues.
6 month followup, no change, no problems.
Dr. says it is pretty common.

don't sweat it.....

[socialist_n_TN]

28. These are all the reasons I've heard about.....

I'm a guy, but my wife went through breast cancer a couple of years ago AND she's been an RN for as long as I've known her, so I feel pretty knowledgeable about this subject.

Dense tissue means just that, dense. It's mostly younger women that have dense breast tissue, so they don't do the dense test all of the time, especially on middle-aged women. So when they can't read the first test as good as they need to, they do another one.

PROBABLY nothing to worry about. It's doesn't sound like it's a follow up for a potential problem.

[winterpark]

30. At my physical last year, my doctor said my right breast tissue felt dense and since it had

been quite a few years since my baseline, had me do another intense mamogram and sonogram. Radiologist was looking at my stuff as the tech was doing it and gave me a thumbs up. Sometimes dense tissue is only dense tissue and the mamogram will show that.

BTW this was at the Orlando VA which totally rocks for patient care. (mine anyway)

Have your mamogram and don't stress about it until the results say you should.

Good luck!!!

[HipChick]

3. Please don't read all the stuff on the internet..

I have been having to get Mammograms since early 30's..

Had first breast lump when I was 20, another at 21...both removed both benign..big as golf balls..been watching every since..

Late 20's started having regular Mammo's, I have 'dense breast tissue'...I get call backs often..

My saving grace has been to stick to one hospital that has all my records, its been tough, since I have changed jobs a lot.

Go back and get it done, it will put your mind at ease...

[mrmpa]

4. Been there, done that..............

don't worry!!!!!! Don't read anything about it on the internet. I have dense tissue and fibrocystic tissue. I have several times gone in for another mammogram and or sonogram. They're just being cautious, careful and thorough.

[Fire Walk With Me]

5. Peace and light to you, regardless.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

6. It's happened to me in the past -

Breast tissue so dense it was almost pointless to do mammiegrams for years and the pain of them almost caused me to pass out. They finally added ultrasounds to my regular exams. Good news is, starting in perimenopause, your breast tissue starts losing density and mammies become much easier to read. I think you'll be just fine.

[OnyxCollie]

7. My girlfriend had a dense tissue mammogram.

She was asked for more testing.

Her mammogram was clear. She had another kind of test (I'm sorry, but I can't remember what it was) that detected a tumor which turned out to be malignant.

This was in 2004.

That said, it's been nine years and she's doing fine.

[Luminous Animal]

8. DON'T READ THE INTERNET. Just don't on this. Go back. And then see.

Really and truly.

[liberal_at_heart]

9. It just means they need to use better technology to be able to see better. It doesn't mean

there is anything wrong. Traditional mammograms are horrible at being able to see through dense tissue. There are much better technologies out there now. Ultrasound, digital mammograms, MRIs are all much better at seeing through dense tissue than traditional mammograms.

[flamingdem]

18. really that is quite interesting

I wonder what I can get under Obamacare. So far they only seem to offer the traditional kind

[pnwmom]

10. Dense breast tissue is COMMON among younger, premenopausal women.

The density itself doesn't increase cancer risk, as I understand it. It just makes it harder to visualize cancer.

So please don't panic yet -- though I know how hard it can be. I hope you don't have to wait long for your follow-up.


Here's a link to something from the Mayo Clinic. It says that a digital mammogram (rather than film) might get a better picture of a dense breast.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/mammogram/AN01137


Good luck!

[zazen]

22. actually, research indicates density is an independent risk factor

apart from the masking issue. I don't have time to link to the research (mostly since 2009?), but there's more ductal tissue to be at risk, plus its connectivity provides a pathway for spread (I'm paraphrasing).

That said, one can go nuts with identifying risk factors. I already had extensive stage zero (DCIS) at 39 with a breast so much at risk that I had a mastectomy with reconstruction. Given age, extensiveness of lesions and necrosis, I think I made the right decision. I'll have to have the other one off in a few years (doing wait and see with new DCIS lesion in contralateral breast due to medical cost as well as concerns about overtreatment).

One thing that's not clear is whether density is a reflection of a general at risk status or whether it's the amount of tissue (so that eg smaller breasted women with extremely dense breasts would be at less risk that women with much larger breasts with dense tissue).

To the OP, awareness is good. I recommend also becoming aware of the extensive overdiagnosis and overtreatment right now for precursor lesions. It's very easy to get sucked into all of that, and into breast-cancer-world in general. I don't think doctors are seeking profit with this--they may be avoiding liability, but mainly, they just don't know which precursor or dysplastic lesions will turn invasive and which will remain the same or even involute. In terms of risk factors, also keep in mind that there is the concern that the regular radiation from mammograms may put vulnerable tissue risk (there's at least a school of thought in Europe about this, though it's a highly controversial topic).

With extremely dense breasts, you may get referred for MRI, which has a high false positive rate, so in a way, you're at greater risk for masking and for incidence as well as false positives and overtreatment.

Given my own experience, I just recommend that people be as informed as possible, and that includes of over-diagnosis. Each woman will make the choices that are best for her.

[FirstLight]

11. thanks everyone...

I stopped reading after the second or third article...no sense it making myself feel guilty or scared.
I am calling tomorrow for the followup appt.
Our hospital uses digital mammography, so it may help.
And since I live in a small town, only one hospital and they have ALL my records since the 90s...

I have been told I have cystic tissue too, makes self exam really hard. So I guess I shouldnt be surprised at this.

We'll just have to wait and see ...and maybe cut down on the bad habits too, eh?

[Hell Hath No Fury]

13. Cystic tissue --

man, that can make it rough to do self-exams. I once saw a mammogram of one breast that had ten circles on it where the radiologist had pointed out cysts. I had one so big that when I was laying back on the exam table with my gown open and my Dr. walked in, she told me she could see it from across the room! I finally told my Dr. I felt I really didn't know what I was looking for when doing exams and she did some demonstrations and other education with me so I felt more confident in telling a cyst from a mass. I really recommend you talk with your Dr. about getting some real training.

[DevonRex]

15. Yep. It runs in families, too.

So does dense tissue that turns out to be nothing. You gave good advice.

[DevonRex]

12. Very common.

Don't worry about it. Just means they couldn't see, not that there's something worrisome TO see. So they have to do it again, but the right way.

[BlueSpot]

14. I had that call too

Scared the crap out of me and turned out to be nothing. From what I have heard it is not uncommon. Being called back for dense breasts doesn't mean they saw something, just that they couldn't see.

I had to go back for an ultrasound test. When you go in, know that the tech isn't allowed to tell you anything. I sure tried. So don't be surprised if you don't get any info right then. They need to let the doctor make the call. You should get your results pretty quickly though.

It'll still be your baseline. They just want to make sure it is a good baseline, hence the extra testing this time. I have not ever had to go back for an extra test since that one time.

I know it is stressful. Hang in there and good luck!

[haele]

17. Hereditary in my family. Along with fibroid cysts.

And even though it sounds scary, it doesn't mean there's anything wrong with you. From experience, the first mammogram will end up being the baseline, no matter how dense your tissue is. With dense tissue, they will probably order mammograms yearly until they get a good idea of what your normal situation is. And it sucks when you change doctors and the film doesn't follow you into the new office, they have to start all over again setting up a baseline collection because they can't read your film clearly unless they have access to the type of machine that's made for reading through dense tissue.

If you don't have a history, even if you have health factors (weight, smoking, stress, environmental exposure) you probably won't have to worry too much other than to mitigate some of your risk factors as best you can - and that's really to get yourself healthy for the long run. You're only halfway through life in general, and even though you might be looking on the downhill side, unless you're wealthy enough to hire someone to take care of you, you've still got to live the rest of your own life as best you can make it.

YMMV, but my understanding is that having a history of breast cancer is the number one contributing factor for developing it.

Haele

[AngryOldDem]

19. I had to have an ultrasound of my breasts at my baseline mammogram when I was 35.

It was after the x-ray portion of the fun and I was told that it was because I had dense tissue. As many here have said, dense tissue is common in younger women.

They're just covering their bases, being as thorough as they can. I don't think it's necessarily anything to worry about, and this is coming from someone who absolutely dreads her yearly exams. It hasn't been an issue since.

[Dorian Gray]

20. Very common

I had my first one last year at 41. Had to go back two weeks later for a follow up. I have calcifications.

Going for another standard one next week.

[Le Taz Hot]

21. Fairly common

especially with larger-breasted women. They SHOULD give you an ultra sound as a mammogram is virtually useless in these cases. The problem is that most insurances won't pay for a ultra sound.

[tanyev]

23. Happens to me a lot.

What really freaked me out were two biopsies done two years in a row which turned out to be nothing. In fact, I believe it was the same nothing both times. Can't wait for the next one.

[leftynyc]

24. I think smaller breasts are more dense

and often need a better scan. Also, if this is your first, they want a really good look because this will be your baseline mammogram - all future ones will be looked at in comparison to this one to see if there are any changes. I know it's nerve wracking but please try not to worry until they tell you there's something to worry about.

[Sheldon Cooper]

25. It happens to me everytime I go.

I've had several callbacks, even two needle biopsies, and nothing was ever wrong. I think it's very common. Try not to sweat it, although I know that's easier said than done.

[sufrommich]

26. It's not uncommon, especially for a first

mammogram.It is your baseline mammogram and they probably just want a clearer picture to use .Many women are called for a second mammogram,don't worry.

[Phentex]

27. I think it's common

at least it is among my friends. I don't know of anyone who hasn't been called back for clarification. The real surprise is I only have one close friend who had breast cancer. Everything was detected early and she is fine. But I remember plenty of conversations with those questioning whether or not to go back for another test.

[Squinch]

29. Very common.

My mammos always cause a major ruckus till I show them my old films, and last year I took a look and found out why. One film is almost black, and the other is almost white, which means the densities are extremely different.

At my first mammo, the clinic guy said, "well, that's going to probably have to come off." Terror ensued. The surgeon I went to see said, "You need to find another doctor, because you're fine." Twenty years later, it seems he's right.

[Nimajneb Nilknarf]

31. I am sorry that the information has upset you. I suggest that this forum is not a good place

to be asking for medical advice. Please speak to your doctor.

[sufrommich]

34. She's not asking for medical advice. She's asking if

a call back for a mammogram is common. Dispensing medical advice isn't allowed on DU.

[peace13]

35. She posted in the cancer forum and got one reply!

As you can see, she has over thirty replies here in a very short time. Women are happy to support each other. Everyone who has had this happens knows that she will go for a re-check. What the OP is looking for is support and she has found it.

This country can legislate against women's health and try to invalidate women but...it can't keep us in the basement any more!

Every woman responding knows what the OP is feeling. Until the re check , which could be weeks away in this country, she will carry the weight of the world on her!

[Nimajneb Nilknarf]

37. My point is that there is a lot of incorrect, confusing, and frightening information on the Web,

and in particular on anonymous forums. It may be useful for emotional support for some people.

[ellie]

32. Me.

The first time I went, they were doing a baseline. After having my boobs smashed between two metal plates, twice, I was led to a room where a technician ran an ultrasonic wand went over my breasts several times. I freaked out because no one would tell me anything. Finally, a doctor came in and said that I had the densest breast tissue he had ever seen.

[peace13]

33. Common.

Just for today......don't worry! Sit for a minute and breath deep and slow through your nose . Pull your shoulders up, down and back. Tell yourself that just for today you will not worry. Do this whenever your mind goes back to the worry.

You will feel better after you retest. My doc told me that about twenty five percent of mammograms are call backs that are later deemed no problem!

Best wishes to you! peace, Kim

[mcar]

36. It's happened to me a couple times

I've had to have follow-up diagnostic mammograms and ultrasounds because of dense tissue. It's a precautionary thing for us, most of the time, but it is nerve-wracking until it's over.

Hang in there. The docs and techs are doing what they are supposed to be doing. They just want to get the best look they can - and that's what you want too.

I second the opinions here, stop reading the stuff on the net, it'll only scare you. Get the follow-ups you need and go from there.

[REP]

38. Mine are always 'dense tissue'

While I'm in my 40s, I've never had children and I have fibrosclerosis of the boobs. These two things (along with a few others) put me in an elevated risk group, so I get the 'dense tissue' flattening fairly often so they can track my calcifications.

[FirstLight]

39. again...you guys are great emotional support

I guess the main reason I freaked a little is that I am *just* now in the process of getting my health habits under control, and this was like a *sign* for me to get on the ball! lol

I too, have the cystic tissues and a tendency to have fibroids, in fact had a hysterectomy because I was so full of 'em. So I am lucky and get to have weird breasts too! I have big ones, thanks to breast feeding, and she did have some trouble getting a good shot on the left side, so maybe the tech had something to do with it too.

Called and made the appt for next thursday and they have an ultrasound lined up too oif they need to after the digital mammo...so I will have answers right there, which is better than waiting 2 weeks for results in the mail! I am on Medi-CAL, so it's covered thank god.

thanks again for the support, I haven't even mentioned this to my family or anything, didn't want to alarm them.

[MoonRiver]

40. It's very common to have dense breasts.

When I first started having mammos, they called my breasts cystic, which is synonymous with dense. Anyway, a mammo missed my bc two and one half years ago, and caught it the next year. I can tell you that if they had not caught it the second time, I would probably be terminal right now. I was diagnosed Stage II, but a little bit had moved into 2 nodes. I had surgery and radiation and am on estrogen blocking medication. My prognosis for living a normal life span is excellent. So, I'm ok with the tiny bit of risk from mammograms, because when they find cancer early enough, they save many lives. If they want another look, I think you should do it. Best wishes!

[LWolf]

41. I quit getting mammograms a decade ago.

I have large breasts that tend to benign cysts. They can never fit all the breast in the damned crusher, which means that I'm in there being crushed, repeatedly, for an inordinate amount of time. Then they come back and say that they think they see something, but they couldn't get a good picture, so I have to make another appointment to come in and spend a bunch more time waiting, then they do an ultrasound which is quick, painless, and shows that I'm fine.

I asked, after the 4th year in a row, if I could just go straight to the ultrasound and avoid the painful crushing, since it never worked anyway. I was told no. So I quit going.

That's when I had GOOD insurance. It's on my list of things to accomplish this summer, to call every practitioner in my area to see if they will do an ultrasound without crushing. We'll see how that works out.

[Autumn]

42. I have 'dense tissue'. I get a mammogram every year, they don't let me leave until they know

that they have a clear reading. Don't panic.