Are you dense?

100222_breast-densitySince coming out of the Cancer Closet I’ve had lots of people (men & woman) asking me what I meant when I described my breasts as thick.

What I mean is that they’re dense.

What does that mean? It’s like the difference between water and ice (Gerry gave me that analogy).

In other words I have less fat in my breast and more connective tissue and that makes it difficult to look “through” when they do the mammogram/ultrasound. I’ve included a photo so you can see the difference between a breast with lower density vs a dense/thick breast like mine. As you can see … it’s difficult to look through it for abnormalities.

I’ve been hearing from doctors/lab techs for years that I have thick/dense breasts so if you haven’t heard that … you probably have low breast density.

But ask your mammographer or your doctor anyway because if they are dense … it does make it harder for them to find cancer and there are other ways of checking your breasts if they are dense. Remember. You are the captain of your ship. You steer the conversation where it needs to go.

I recently got a message from a woman who’s doctor told her not to do self breast exams because she’ll probably think every lump is something and that he can just find it for her. I say bullshit to that doctor. Nobody knows your body better then you do. Time to find a new doctor.

I get mammograms every Sept. What if I waited until Sept to check on this lump?? That doctor can suck a bag of dicks. Sorry. I’ve been swearing like a sailor lately … it makes me feel better for some reason. 🙂

Did you check your breasts yet??

 

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10 Responses to Are you dense?

  1. Erica Rose says:

    Yep, that doctor can definitely go suck a bag of dicks, perhaps even a giant Ikea-sized bag. I work in Family Practice (primary care) here in the US, and everyone, even the men-folk needs to do monthly self-breast exams!! You do them monthly, best time is a week after your period ends, ladies. That way, you know the geography of your breast, and if something pops up, you’ll know it feels funky, and you’ll get your booty to the doctor. And feel free to curse up a storm, when I got my diagnosis, I swore, ate salty carbs, and drank like a fish.

  2. naomiking@facebook.com says:

    I know a couple of ladies that only found their breast cancer because they checked their own breasts. All of them (3) were in their early 30’s, so there were no mammograms. Had they not been self checking they probably would not be with us today. After reading your story Sarah, my daughter booked an appointment with a doctor to learn how to self check properly. It’s never too late to learn about your body. Thank you!

  3. Rebecca says:

    Wow we both share the same curse/blessing when it comes to breasts. I have one that is more dense and so getting a mammogram a bigger pain but, no big deal.
    I agree that Dr. needs to go back to med school and relearn that Hippocratic Oath of first do no Harm!

  4. Jory Helmes says:

    Hi Sarah, I recommend watching this to the end. I hope it helps. http://youtu.be/Mjv8Zj1ABAc

  5. Liza says:

    I like that “suck a bag of dicks” is swearing in Canada.

  6. Denise says:

    I have been checking the girls to make sure they are all good. After loosing 85lbs they are not the same let me tell you! Ha.

    You are in my thoughts hun. My favorite quote is from Winston Churchill “If you think you are going through hell, keep going”.

    HUGS FROM ONTARIO,
    Denise

  7. Lex says:

    Do you think the radiation from the yearly mammograms caused your cancer? I would not advocate getting a mammogram unless I felt a lump.

    http://www.naturalnews.com/010886.html

    Also, check out Low Dose Naltroxene (LDN) and Dichloroacetate (DCA).

    I’ve heard good things about Gerson, too. And above all stay positive, increasing endorphins increases the immune system and will heal you faster.

  8. Rachael says:

    Firstly to Sarah thank you for being so brave and sharing really important information for all is ladies out there. I hope surgery went well for you and will be hoping for the best outcome.
    Secondly girls please ignore the advice of this doctor, get every lump checked. I have two fiboradanomas (benign tissue) in my right breast. I had an ultrasound and knowing what they eye is a peace of mind for me. I also make sure that I keep an eye on them. Check yourself ladies, it’s the best way to know what’s going on and if it is something bad to catch it nice and early . Thank you Sarah for relaying this info.

    Xx

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