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Suellen's Story

Suellen in a floral top, standing by a blue car
Name:
Suellen
State: Massachussets
Date of diagnosis: November 2014
Age at time of diagnosis: 52
Stage of diagnosis: Stage 4
Date of 'NORMAL' mammogram: January 23, 2014 and October 3, 2014
How was cancer diagnosed: Palpable lymph node/Normal Mammo/Seen on Ultrasound

Suellen's Story: I was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer at INITIAL diagnosis, despite having yearly mammograms. I have no family history and am categorized as having an average-risk for breast cancer - my reports did indicate that I had dense breast tissue. I did not know I should advocate for more testing nor did my doctor or radiologist suggest so. For the past few years I have been complaining of fatigue and my arms were tired when I washed my hair.

I had a clinical breast exam right after my NORMAL mammogram in January and the nurse practitioner said I felt a little full under my left breast but 'it's okay she reported as you just had a NORMAL mammogram in January.'

In September, 8 months after my Jan. mammogram, I had something protruding out of my left armpit. A second mammogram showed no breast mass - yet seen on ultrasound.

At first, my docs thought my cancer was at stage 3 until a bone biopsy revealed metastases to my spine - stage 4. In an instance, I had the rug ripped out beneath me.

What do you mean I am at stage 4? What do you mean there is no cure?

My docs told me that I would be in treatment the rest of my life and that I have a life-limiting disease.

Clearly a conversation I would never have fathomed having, since I was FAITHFUL in my breast health and screenings.

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Are You Dense? Fact #1: Breast density is one of the strongest predictors of the failure of mammography screening to detect cancer.

Are You Dense? Fact #2: Two-thirds of pre-menopausal women and 40% of post-menopausal women have dense breast tissue.

Are You Dense? Fact #3: Adding more sensitive tests to mammography significantly increase detection of invasive cancers that are small and node negative.

Are You Dense? Fact #4: American College of Radiology describes women with "Dense Breast Tissue" as having a higher than average risk of Breast Cancer.

Are You Dense? Fact #5: While a mammogram detects 98% of cancers in women with fatty breasts, it finds only 48% in women with dense breasts.

Are You Dense? Fact #6: A woman at average risk and a woman at high risk have an EQUAL chance of having their cancer masked by mammogram.

Are You Dense? Fact #7: Women with dense breasts who had breast cancer have a four times higher risk of recurrence than women with less-dense breasts.

Are You Dense? Fact #8: A substantial proportion of Breast Cancer can be attributed to high breast density alone.

Are You Dense? Fact #9: Cancer turns up five times more often in women with extremely dense breasts than those with the most fatty tissue.

Are You Dense? Fact #10: There are too many women who are unaware of their breast density, believe their “Happy Gram” when it reports no significant findings and are at risk of receiving a later stage cancer diagnosis.