Our Stories

From Stage 0 to Stage IV in a matter of months. Why wasn't Lori offered an additional screening tool to supplement her annual mammograms because of her breast density?

Name:  Lori

Date of Diagnosis:   May, 2009

Age at Diagnosis:  44   

Stage of Diagnosis:  Stage IV

Time from initial Stage 0 diagnosis to Stage 4 diagnosis:  one month

How was cancer detected: After diagnosis of Stage 0 cancer, sentinel node biopsy revealed numerous cancer-infected lymph nodes - later scans confirmed cancer had spread to bones.  

Lori's story:  My older sister was diagnosed with Ductal Carcinoma in situ (DCIS) - a non invasive breast cancer - seven years ago.  Her diagnosis is the reason I started having annual mammograms at 37.  I was called back for a diagnostic mammogram in 2007 and 2008 and was given a clean bill of health both times.  In 2009, after a digital mammogram detected a tumor, the biopsy showed DCIS - a non invasive breast cancer - Stage 0.   I had a lumpectomy - the sentinel node biopsy uncovered positive cancerous lymph nodes.  After a PET, CAT, bone scan and biopsy, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer as cancer had spread to my bones.  My oncologist explained that the mammogram screenings had failed in my case due to my dense breasts.  It turns out that early detection, through mammography, was not an option for me because of my breast density.  I am frustrated with myself and the medical community for not pursuing alternative scanning methods in 2007 and 2008 when I had the questionable mammograms.  Women need to be informed about their own breast density for the early detection of breast cancer.  Education is the best way to be your own advocate!

My full story can be found at www.stlouiscomputronics.com/lorij.