New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - Survey: How Many of Us Had Dense Breasts
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

Survey: How Many of Us Had Dense Breasts
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  12>
Poll Question: Prior to diagnosis, did you have dense breasts?
Poll Choice Votes Poll Statistics
52 [92.86%]
4 [7.14%]
0 [0.00%]
You can not vote in this poll

Author
  Topic Search Topic Search  Topic Options Topic Options
123Donna View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: Aug 24 2009
Location: St. Louis, MO
Status: Offline
Points: 13510 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 123Donna Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Survey: How Many of Us Had Dense Breasts
    Posted: Aug 17 2011 at 9:28pm
Recent studies have indicated that dense breasts have a higher risk of breast cancer.  I'm curious as to how many of us with TNBC had dense breasts and to see if there is any correlation. 

Ever since I was in my 20's, my ob/gyn told me I had dense/fibrocystic breasts.  At that time he said it didn't increase my chance of breast cancer, but did make it harder to detect.  As a result, we started doing mammograms while I was in my early 30's.  Now I'm reading studies saying dense breasts is a risk factor.


Edited by 123Donna - Aug 18 2011 at 9:36am
DX IDC TNBC 6/09 age 49, Stage 1,Grade 3, 1.5cm,0/5Nodes,KI-67 48%,BRCA-,6/09bi-mx, recon, T/C X4(9/09)
11/10 Recur IM node, Gem,Carb,Iniparib 12/10,MRI NED 2/11,IMRT Radsx40,CT NED11/13,MRI NED3/15
Back to Top
Charlene View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: Aug 14 2010
Location: Atlanta, GA
Status: Offline
Points: 613 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Charlene Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Aug 18 2011 at 8:11am
My dense breast tissue was documented as far back as 2007 and possibly earlier.  2007 is as far back as I have copies of my mammograms.
DX 3/10 @59 ILC/TNBC
Stage 1, Grade 2, Multifocal; Lumpectomy/re-excision
SNB 0/4 nodes, BRCA-; Taxotere/Cytoxan X4, 30 rads
3/14:NED
Back to Top
DianeEE View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: Nov 29 2010
Location: Richland, MI
Status: Offline
Points: 105 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DianeEE Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Aug 18 2011 at 9:07am
Just for your info., I did not have dense breast tissue.  Should be interesting to see how many do, though.
DX 11/2010 age 43,BRCA2+,6 rounds TAC,bx mast/ovary removal 5/2011,TNBC tumor 5.1 cm,02/14 nodes positive,37 rads,Cisplatin&PARP trial.Recurrence 2/2012,TN IBC,Abraxane didn't work, Ixempra & Xeloda
Back to Top
abcmom View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: Dec 15 2009
Location: Summerville, SC
Status: Offline
Points: 738 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote abcmom Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Aug 18 2011 at 11:10am
I did, and my bc almost was missed because of it.  I was told I had very dense breasts and I had a cyst and that the fluid inside it was clear and I was "good to go"  by the ultrasonographer.  Turned out to be cancer!
Diag 11/06/09 @ 40; Diag w/ TNBC Stage IIA, Grade 3 12/01/09 Node Neg. Dble MX with Recon 12/09 (twice)
Chemo 1/13/10 Chemo done 4/22/10 More recon surg 07/10, PET/CT Scan clear 07/10 NED 07/11
Back to Top
MsBliss View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: Apr 25 2009
Location: Lost Angeles
Status: Offline
Points: 722 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote MsBliss Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Aug 18 2011 at 2:17pm
Hi Donna,
Count me in.  I have always had dense breasts.  I think the correlation is that dense breasts have more stroma, ducts and "structure", and less fat.  Less dense breasts have more fat, less internal matrix and structure.  Cancer doesn't grow in fatty substrates, it likes "organs" and structure wherein it can get a good blood supply.
Dx 3/09 stg1 BRCA neg, 1.4cm IDC + 7mm DCIS, ki67 70 -90%, lump w/re-ex for margin, no chemo/no rads due to delays from secondary health issues; SonoCine every 6 months plus CAM interventions
Back to Top
LauraT View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: May 05 2010
Location: Georgia
Status: Offline
Points: 739 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote LauraT Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Aug 19 2011 at 9:23am
Count me as a member of the dense breasts club. (Well, when I had themSmile)

Laura
DX 10/09 @44, Stage I IDC tnbc, DCIS other side, Neoadjuvant TCx4, Bilateral Mastectomy w/Recon 1/10, 1.2cm 0/7 Nodes, 5/11 Mets to Lungs/Lymph Nodes, Avastin/Taxol, 10/11 Bone Mets, Xgeva
Back to Top
Katastrophe View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member


Joined: Jul 22 2010
Location: Australia
Status: Offline
Points: 287 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Katastrophe Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Aug 19 2011 at 10:06am
I was told the same thing as you Donna. I had a lumpectomy when I was 28 for a fibroadenoma I was told I had dense fibrocyctic breasts that made detection difficult. Im 50 now I no longer have that .... cos I dont have breasts!!!
Good luck with the survey Donna. I would love to know more stats like .... left breast vs right breast (which boob has cancer the most). How many women had the cancer in one breast then ended up in the other breast. Of the ladies in here what was their age at the time of diagnosis. What is the percentage of women on here that have had a reoccurance and how soon after completion of treatment ..... the list would go on ... Maybe you should had to your Voting Poll.
 
Take care all luv Kat xxx
Age 49. Stg2 gr3 19mm lump in L/br 1 lymph node in L/br 3/14 lymph nod under left arm full clear bil/mast 6rds Chemo 3wkly 25rds Rad 18rds of Avastin finished treatment on 19th August 10.
Back to Top
K in Sugar Land View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie
Avatar

Joined: May 30 2011
Location: Texas
Status: Offline
Points: 79 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote K in Sugar Land Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Aug 19 2011 at 10:29am

I have a 'dense' question about dense breast.  If you are determined to have dense breasts, do they always have the character 'dense'?  Can weight loss and/or age or other factors impact whether breast are dense or not, or less dense?  I've lost about 30 lbs in recent months and my small dense breasts are smaller of course.  Are they as 'dense' as they were 30 lbs. ago?  I have an ultrasound in a couple of weeks and I'll talk with the radiologist about this also.



Edited by K in Sugar Land - Aug 19 2011 at 10:30am
Dx IDC TNBC MDA2/11 age 51 T2N0M0 Grd 3 4.8cm BRCA- vitD22 Taxol 12wk FAC once 3 wk for 12 wk Complete chemo8/11 Tumor not seen on scans Lumpsurgery 0/4 nodes9/11 pCR 30rads done11/11 NED vitD3903/12
Back to Top
Sarah Charles View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie
Avatar

Joined: Aug 09 2011
Status: Offline
Points: 4 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sarah Charles Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Aug 23 2011 at 10:50am
Hi K,
 
one study found that a high calorie diet in middle age was associated with increased breast density 15 years later, but it is not clear whether losing weight reduces breast density.
 
Consuming foods high in carotenoids (e.g., carrots, pumpkins) has been shown to reduce the risk of breast cancer among women with high breast density.
 
Women with a reduction in breast density over time have been shown to have decreased breast cancer risk compared to women whose breast density remains stable, so it's a worthwhile goal to reduce it. A high dietary omega-3 to omega-6 fat ratio has been shown to reduce breast density in rats. High protein diets, especially animal protein, have been linked to higher breast density whereas higher vitamin D intake appears to reduce it. Below are some relevant study names (just Google if you are interested):
 
Circulating Carotenoids, Mammographic Density, and Subsequent Risk of Breast Cancer
Mammary Gland Density Predicts the Cancer Inhibitory Activity of the N-3 to N-6 Ratio of Dietary Fat
Longitudinal breast density and risk of breast cancer
Dietary intake and breast density in high-risk women: a cross-sectional study
 
Hope this is useful,
 
Sarah
Back to Top
K in Sugar Land View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie
Avatar

Joined: May 30 2011
Location: Texas
Status: Offline
Points: 79 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote K in Sugar Land Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Aug 23 2011 at 11:03am

Thank you Sarah.  This is very helpful information.   I plan to take a look at all of the studies.
Dx IDC TNBC MDA2/11 age 51 T2N0M0 Grd 3 4.8cm BRCA- vitD22 Taxol 12wk FAC once 3 wk for 12 wk Complete chemo8/11 Tumor not seen on scans Lumpsurgery 0/4 nodes9/11 pCR 30rads done11/11 NED vitD3903/12
Back to Top
calilady View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: Mar 19 2010
Status: Offline
Points: 14 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote calilady Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Aug 23 2011 at 5:54pm
Definitely dense....in fact when I went in to a breast clinic, with what I knew 'was something wrong' in May 08...a mammo and ultrasound did not pick it up.  In Oct 08 2 tumors, one of which in the location I indicated in May, was a tumor.  Wish I knew then what I know now and insisted on an mri to detect.
DX12/08 tnbc st III Grade 3 BRCA neg.
1/09 TAC
5/09 rt mast. 23 nodes +
7/09 rad x28
2/10 rec left mast 16 nodes +
4/10 Ixempra/Xeloda
1/11 Halaven
7/11 srgy rt chest wall
8/11 skin T/C again
Back to Top
dmwolf View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: Jan 22 2009
Location: Berkeley, CA
Status: Offline
Points: 3619 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote dmwolf Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Aug 23 2011 at 6:24pm
Nope, though my left (non-cancer) breast was very fibrotic.   Now of course they are gone, gone, gone..  Yesterday Talia complained that my chest wasn't comfortable to lay her head on.  Too hard, either ribs or small hard implants.  Down to my belly she went to nestle her head in my 'hot dog' as she calls my layer of blub.    Softness at last.

d
DX 2/08@43 stg II IDC; gr2,0 nodes. Neoadj chemo, first ACx2 (fail) then CarboTaxotereX6(better). Lump, Rads done 11/08; Clodronate. False alarm queen: PetCT lung & TM marker. NED. PBM w/recon 9/10.
Back to Top
abcmom View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: Dec 15 2009
Location: Summerville, SC
Status: Offline
Points: 738 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote abcmom Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Aug 23 2011 at 8:52pm
That's cute D!
Diag 11/06/09 @ 40; Diag w/ TNBC Stage IIA, Grade 3 12/01/09 Node Neg. Dble MX with Recon 12/09 (twice)
Chemo 1/13/10 Chemo done 4/22/10 More recon surg 07/10, PET/CT Scan clear 07/10 NED 07/11
Back to Top
nmunoz View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: Jan 20 2009
Location: Miami, FL
Status: Offline
Points: 371 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote nmunoz Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Aug 24 2011 at 12:02am
Hmmm... The dense breast team is winning. Maybe the link is also due to the fact that TNBC is common in women that are diagnosed with BC under 40? I was told my breasts were dense due to my age (32 at diagnosis). I've not had any prior cysts of breast related problems. But when my OBGYN ordered the ultrasound that led to my diagnosis he told me he had to order a mammogram as well because of protocol but that he knew the mammo would not show anything and in fact between the dense breasts and the fact that I was still breastfeeding my son the mammo was basically unreadable ...
Natalia, 38 years

Dx TNBC 10/22/08, BRCA1+

Double Mx 11/20/08 with Recon.

3/37 nodes

Rads 7 weeks done 8/09

ACx4 every 2 weeks and Tx12 weeks. Avastin e/3 weeksx10 (Clinical Trial) Done Dec/09
Back to Top
sue View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: Aug 13 2010
Location: NJ
Status: Offline
Points: 650 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote sue Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Aug 24 2011 at 7:25pm
Just wanted to add my dense breast history info.  Have had dense breasts ever since beginning mammos in my 20s.  

Love and Peace,
Sue
Dx 7/10, age 53. TNBC left breast, stage I, grade 3, IDC 0.5 cm, DCI 2.5 cm, 0/8 lymph nodes neg. BRCA-. T/C x4 finished 2/09/11, rads x34 finished 4/21/11.          
Back to Top
Katastrophe View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member


Joined: Jul 22 2010
Location: Australia
Status: Offline
Points: 287 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Katastrophe Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Aug 24 2011 at 8:43pm

Hi guys,

I was wondering how many of you had problems with cysts or fibroadenomas in the years leading up to your cancer diagnosis. I have been having breast issues since I was in my twenties (I got bc at 48) I had a lumpectomy for a fibroadenoma at 28yrs. Two and a half years before my cancer diagnosis my ultrasound and mamogram showed I had 6 lumps in the left breast (cancer side) and 1 in the right breast. We biopsied 4 of the 6 and the 1 on the right. All clear. They did not biopsy 2 as they were very deep and small and figured if the other ones were clear then I shouldnt have anything to worry about. Prior to that I had regular scans and had several biopsies on lumps over the years and everything was always negative. My left breast was ALWAYS painful and I HATED it being touched. There really was no surprise to me when I got my diagnosis, because I always felt it was just a matter of time before the tides would turn against me. I just had this feeling of foreboding in regards to my left breast.
I told my son 2 years before my diagnosis that I always believed breast cancer would get me ... He thought I was insane at the time. We were talking about what we thought would happen to us as we got older, because my sister had just been diagnosed with Chronic Lymphatic Leukaemia and my Mum had just had a stroke a few weeks before her.
The good thing is I am still here and so is my sister. My Mum passed away in February three and a half years after her initial stroke. She ended up dying of an impacted bowel and scepticemia.
 
Life can really throw some curve balls at you hey?
 
Take care luv Kat xxx
Age 49. Stg2 gr3 19mm lump in L/br 1 lymph node in L/br 3/14 lymph nod under left arm full clear bil/mast 6rds Chemo 3wkly 25rds Rad 18rds of Avastin finished treatment on 19th August 10.
Back to Top
WNY-Elaine View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie
Avatar

Joined: Aug 24 2011
Status: Offline
Points: 4 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote WNY-Elaine Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Aug 24 2011 at 10:36pm

I am new to this group and TNBC. My breast weren't significantly dense. My mammograms showed a cyst that had grown. Sono showed cyst. Aspiration showed nothing. Biopsy showed IDBC. I was diagnosed in March, mastectomy in April, 6/25 nodes positive. My last chemo (TAC) is in one week. Smile I will start radiation treatments (28) in October. I have developed lymphedema and am struggling with the insurance to get a flexi-touch pump. Oh, well. My arm is still quite strong and flexible thanks to PT and exercise.

I really would like to talk with someone who also has similar node involvement. I am 50 for two more days so I am right on the border of being grouped with the young'uns or the vintage gals.
Back to Top
123Donna View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: Aug 24 2009
Location: St. Louis, MO
Status: Offline
Points: 13510 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 123Donna Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Aug 24 2011 at 10:45pm
WNY-Elaine,

Congratulations on getting towards the end of our chemo treatment.  May I make a suggestion.  Go to TNBC Forums and find the Welcome New Members.  There is a thread called Welcome From TNBC Foundation.  Please repost your story.  More people will see it and be able to respond to your question about finding someone to talk to that had similar nodal involvement.  We are all here to support each other.  Please keep us posted on how your are doing with your treatment.

Donna
DX IDC TNBC 6/09 age 49, Stage 1,Grade 3, 1.5cm,0/5Nodes,KI-67 48%,BRCA-,6/09bi-mx, recon, T/C X4(9/09)
11/10 Recur IM node, Gem,Carb,Iniparib 12/10,MRI NED 2/11,IMRT Radsx40,CT NED11/13,MRI NED3/15
Back to Top
sue View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: Aug 13 2010
Location: NJ
Status: Offline
Points: 650 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote sue Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Aug 26 2011 at 9:54am
Hi Kat,

Had my first fibroadenoma removed at age 24 from left breast. Have had fibroid in right breast for years, regularly scanned and always NED and still there. Had real sharp pain inside left breast maybe a year before actual diagnosis. It was a very different pain than I ever experienced, and only had it maybe 2 or 3 times at night in bed when lying flat, quite some time before actually feeling any mass.  It is so true about the curve balls. When I think of the demise of other friends and family, I also feel extremely fortunate to be here. 

Have a beautiful day.

Love and Peace,
Sue
Dx 7/10, age 53. TNBC left breast, stage I, grade 3, IDC 0.5 cm, DCI 2.5 cm, 0/8 lymph nodes neg. BRCA-. T/C x4 finished 2/09/11, rads x34 finished 4/21/11.          
Back to Top
cheeks View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: Jan 14 2011
Location: North Carolina
Status: Offline
Points: 676 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cheeks Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Sep 22 2011 at 5:04am
I also have always had dense breasts. I never had any problems but started having mammograms in my 30's because my mother-in-law had breast cancer in 1978 and it made me more aware.(not TN but she is still alive today at age 83 after several recurrences)  It was actually about 2 years after i stopped having a period when mine was found. Looking back I did have major sweating and at night would absolutely soak the bed (i attributed this to menopause), also lost about 45 pounds within a few months due to nausea (i wasn't even sick when i was pregnant) Did everyone's grow so quickly? 
Lump found 11/08
DX: 2/09 @52 TNBC
L. Mast. 3/26/09, SN-, BRCA-,
4.5 cm (post surgical)T2NOMO
Chemo: 4/09-10/09 Taxol x 12,
A/C x 4, No rad.No recon. NED 1/17. New Primary right breast TN, 2/2018.
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  12>
  Share Topic   

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 12.01
Copyright ©2001-2018 Web Wiz Ltd.