Our Stories

Elaine's cancer was a massive 9 cm tumor - NOT seen on mammogram but found on Ultrasound!

Name:  Elaine

State:  California

Date of Diagnosis:   February, 2008

Age at Diagnosis:  66   

Stage of Diagnosis:  Stage IIIA

Time from "normal" mammogram to Stage 3 diagnosis:  9 to 12 months

How was cancer detected: By me  

Elaine's Story:  I did a self-exam on Jan 1, 2008 and felt very small hard tip behind nipple of left breast.  The internist could not find it and sent me for diagnostic mammogram AND diagnostic ultrasound (bless him).  Mammogram showed nothing - BUT ultrasound showed "vague mass" which was followed up by MRI and Ultrasound and MRI biopsy.   Final diagnosis: 9.5 cm (YES!) tumor UNDETECTED BY MAMMOGRAM, Stage IIIA, Grade 2.   The massive tumor was undetected by me as well because it felt like my usual lumps and bumps and I was looking for the little "pea'" sized hard thing that they tell you to look for.  How many stories do we need to hear before additional screening is the norm for women with dense breasts? The mammography letter that women receive stating that the mammogram is "normal" may not be true for women with dense breast tissue.  It's ridiculous.