Mammogram: A Test Worth Taking

Even when dense breasts complicate things

I have very dense breast tissue, or so I am told.

My ob-gyn always reminds me of that each year. “ You know, you have very dense breast tissue,” she says.

“ Ok…Is that a good or bad thing?” I ask.

“ It means that it is difficult to discern what is normal and what isn’t,” she explains.

Breast density is a measure of how much fibro-glandular tissue there is in your breast, as compared to fat tissue.

According to the American Cancer Society, women who have dense breast tissue have a higher risk of breast cancer compared to women with less dense breast tissue.

“Dense breast tissue also makes it harder for radiologists to see cancer on mammograms. Dense (fibrous and glandular) breast tissue looks white on a mammogram. Breast masses and cancers can also look white, so the dense tissue can make it harder to see them. In contrast, fatty tissue looks almost black on a mammogram, so it’s easier to see a tumor that looks white if most of the breast is fat tissue.”

Each year when it is time for my mammogram, I take pause. My stomach knots a bit, and I push through and get the test done because I know it is the right thing to do, even though I procrastinate each and every time.

Over the years, I have had multiple biopsies and several lumpectomies because normal lumps and bumps could be problematic. Even with digital mammograms, which are hugely better than non-digital, it is still difficult to tell what is what.

My last mammogram report stated, “ No suspicious masses, calcifications or other suspicious findings,” followed by the statement, “ patient has heterogeneously dense breasts.”

Translated, I hear, “We think it’s ok but we can’t be sure.”

Such is the plight of we women who have dense breast tissue. We leave the test results with doubt.

Technological Improvements

Digital breast tomosynthesis (3D mammography) is much better than regular (2D) mammograms, especially for women with dense breasts. It may take some phone calls to insurance providers to get a digital test approved, but it is worth the effort.

Breast ultrasounds and breast MRIs are also very helpful in detecting problems. The beauty of mammograms is that they can and do save lives and are worth having annually.

I’ve had so many biopsies over the years, I stopped counting at 11. I’m very fortunate that all biopsies have been benign thus far. Now, my doc has yearly mammogram results since 2013, the year of my first test, and can compare images to figure out what is my normal. As for the little scars that decorate my breasts, no big deal for sure.

My issue with the mammogram process all is the waiting. The wait can be rough on the nerves.

A screening mammogram is step one. Then there’s a waiting period until it’s read. This wait may take weeks but can feel like months. If needed, the next step is a diagnostic mammogram. Again, it’s hurry up and wait until the results are given and, if needed, an appointment with the ob-gyn comes next.

If the screening mammogram’s read as the patient sits in the waiting room, then a subsequent diagnostic mammogram can be given immediately and the stress of waiting for the result could be eliminated.

Why doesn’t this happen?

I’m certain it’s a scheduling issue. It would gum up the works. It would slow down the process of getting women in and out as soon as possible. Instead, women have the screening mammogram, go home to wait for results, and may or may not have to return for a diagnostic mammogram and an ultrasound.

I hate that.

There are enough stressors we can’t control, how about we change this one that we can control?

I’m incredibly grateful for another clear screening. Without a doubt, I’m one of the lucky ones. I will continue to faithfully get my mammogram each year with gratitude in my heart.

Now, if I can figure out how to avoid jumping down the rabbit hole while I am waiting for results, that would be cool. Very cool indeed.

Michele Cambardella: For 36 years, Michele Cambardella taught high school English and loved working with young people. She retired in order to caretake both of her parents in their last days and is especially grateful for that opportunity. Although she did write and paint and cook over the years, she now can devote more time and energy to each of those practices. She deeply loves her family and friends, and is having a great tme as a new Mimi. She especially enjoys mindfulness meditation, long walks in nature, and light yoga. Thanks for reading!