In the interest of providing the patient with the information needed to made an informed decision on their breast care.

I was diagnosed five years ago with stage IV breast cancer after having yearly mamograms that reported dense breat tissue but never mentioned I should seek further testing.

I am 48 years old and have been having mammograms since I was 35. In July, 2009 I was told by the mammogram tech "wow, you have dense breasts." I had to have a biopsy because of calcifications. The biopsy results indicated that I had LCIS in the left breast. From the biopsy report I learned that my tissue sample from the biopsy was 98% breast tissue and 2% fat. I researched breast density and learned that if you have dense breasts you are up to 5-6 times more likely to get Breast Cancer and it is likely that it will be undetected on a mammogram. I was sent to an Oncologist for the LCIS when she suggested Tamoxifen for 5 years and told me not to worry. I told her I was already worried because I now knew I had dense breasts. I asked for an MRI and she reluctantly agreed saying "if it would make you feel better." My instincts were right. The MRI revealed a mass, in the other breast, that was consistent with malignancy. In September I had a bilateral mastectomy. The tumor was 2 cm and was invasive. I had chemotherapy (CT X 4), had my ovaries removed, and am on an Aromatase Inhibitor for 5 years. I had stage II cancer. If I had known about breast density I would have paid for an MRI or ultrasound years ago and maybe then it would have been DCIS or stage I... If only someone had told me and let me make my own decisions with that knowledge, I could have been proactive. It is time for a change. With knowledge there is power. Maybe now we can help other women get information about breast density that is so critical to their health.

I had my mammogram, was called back for another and told that I needed to get a script from my doctor, had another mammogram and then put into the waiting room. I was then called back for more pictures. The doctor spoke with me afterward and explained that if she was concerned after analyzing the pictures, she would have me come back in 6 months. I just received a letter indicating that I shoudl come back in 6 months. I have breast cancer in my family and I have suffered from pain in my breasts. I was told that because my breasts are so dense it is difficult to read the pictures. I was told that because they are so dense this is why they had to press them so hard inside of the vice. At this point I never ever want to go back, nothing should be that painful, how does turning me into 2 flat tires help when the pictures seem to display the same great big circled areas of "white lightening." Anything that can be done for us should be done; it's 2011 and women are still dying of breast cancer; How does this make any sense?

I currently have a palpable lump not detected on a mammogram or u/s but felt by surgeon. I also have microcalcifications and atypical lobular hyperplasia all requiring a surgical biopsy in two weeks. I have very dense breasts.