Hello

I was told my mammogram missed my cancer because my breastswere dense .....good luck with your appointment x

Dense tissue is common especially in younger women.  Surgery options will depend on size of area that needs removing and location.  They should talk you through options and give you time to decide .  Hope appointment goes well xx

Hi,

My breast cancer was missed on Mammogram due to breast density, I had a 4.5cm cancer and 0.5cm DCIS in the same breast, I had to have a mastectomy as I am small breasted a 32, there was no other option due to my size.  I choose not to have a reconstruction and I've not regretted it.  Did they do the MRI once you were diagnosed?   Let us know how your appointment went.

Hi Fifitrix sorry you find yourself here with the rest of us. I have dense breast tissue too. I was 51 when diagnosed. My cancer was not seen on mammogram at all, even at the urgent referral. It was 26mm visible on ultrasound. I was given the option of lumpectomy or mastectomy. I am a B cup. I went with mastectomy partly because I was afraid in case the mri or mammograms missed anything else due to tissue density. I also wanted to try and avoid a second operation due to the margins not being clear. This was probably a knee-jerk reaction on my part but I was so stunned that nothing was seen on mammogram that I became fairly mistrusting of scans. I was told that my MRI of the nodes was clear too, but on surgery the cancer was located in 3 nodes (meaning that I didn't avoid a second operation!) I know I was fairly unusual in that respect and mammogram is usually a very good diagnostic tool for the vast majority of women, and that MRI is considered the 'gold standard'.  I was actually glad I went with mastectomy as it seemed to give me more peace of mind. In reality though, they told me it would not make any difference in terms of prognosis whether I went for lumpectomy or mastectomy so it was personal choice. I didn't have reconstruction but I've come to accept that and I am OK with how I am now. It is a tricky choice but go with your gut feeling on this, as well as the medical advice of course. Wishing you luck and hugs. x 

Thanks for responding

I too am small 32b, I have 2 areas 8mm and 10mm in my right breast but the nurse was unsure of the distance between them so I guess mastectomy will be suggested if the area is too large for my breast size.  Not sure of exact size in my left. The MRI was done after diagnosis.  It was picked up via ultrasound as I suffer with breast cysts.

The nurse was lovely and gave me info about each procedure and I was shown photos. Still feel muddled of which way to go at the minute xx

Thank you for responding.  I was told the same thing today regarding prognosis whether lumpectomy or mastectomy. Lots to think about but the nurse was lovely and gave me pros and cons for each plus showed me pictures so I know what to expect xx