Did you know that you need a mammogram and more to ensure your breast health and safety? Women with dense breasts require an MRI. This story highlights a woman with dense breasts whose mammograms failed to detect her tumor.

How could I be 48 and completely unaware of this, as I also have dense breasts? I must have missed the crucial information because this is simply unacceptable. Recently, I witnessed my seemingly healthy friend, who engaged in all the right activities, including tennis, develop a concerning health issue after following all breast guidelines.

You can be an athlete, eat well, participate in healthy activities, and follow breast health guidelines, but you’re not doing enough. My friend diligently performed annual 3-D diagnostic mammograms with ultrasounds for years, yet she had zero detections as a slow-growing tumor progressed and spread to her lymph nodes. She was never informed about the significance of an MRI for women with dense breasts and high-risk factors. By the time she discovered her breast cancer, it had already spread. Had she undergone an MRI alongside her annual tests, she would be on the tennis court today instead of undergoing chemotherapy. Now, my friend will recover and return to the courts soon, but her journey could have been significantly different if she had been educated about the benefits of an MRI. Unfortunately, she wasn’t, and neither was I. I’m confident that many women in our age group are unaware of this vital information.

Inspired by this revelation, I visited my obstetrician-gynecologist and sought clarification on my ignorance about MRIs. She referred me to a renowned breast specialist in San Francisco.

The specialist explained that an MRI can indeed reveal specific details that a mammogram and ultrasound cannot. Why isn’t everyone informed about the available options and the protection each one offers? Why, at the age of 48, with dense breasts and a family history of breast cancer, did I only now discover this information after searching extensively for it?

Here are some potential drawbacks to consider:
– An MRI can result in a false positive.
– There is some metal ingestion required during an MRI that may have an unknown health impact if done in large quantities.

Takeaways:
– An annual mammogram alone is insufficient for breast cancer screenings of dense breasts.
– Ultrasounds and MRIs can detect abnormalities that mammograms miss.
– Insurance coverage for MRIs varies based on an individual’s risk status.
– Lack of awareness about MRIs can result in missed opportunities for early detection and treatment.
– Early detection of breast cancer significantly enhances the chances of successful treatment and a favorable prognosis.
– Consult your OBGYN today to determine the appropriate breast screening strategy for your individual needs.
– Please spread awareness about the benefits of combining mammograms with ultrasounds and MRIs for comprehensive breast health and peace of mind.

I’ll be updating this publication with a picture of my friend and me back on the tennis court. Please share a healthy picture of you doing something you love on social media using the hashtag #BreastMRI. Let’s spread positivity and make real change.