Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 2/24/2009

Question
I had a mammogram & ultrasound last week (still awaiting results from mammogram) following discomfort in my right breast. The ultrasound detected 2 cysts in my right breast, which i was told is nothing to worry about (?) but the doctor said my left breast has quite dense tissue and was quite surprised that I did not complain of problems in this breast. (It has caused me discomfort over the last 12mths but not as much as my right breast). I am due to see my G.P, what questions should I be asking her? I have a history of cancer in my family, my mother died of cervical cancer, 2 of my brothers also died of cancer (one only last week) and another had a stomach tumor removed last year. I had polyps removed from my bowel (benign) also last year. I'm a little concerned but my G.P tends to be dismissive of me - It has taken 15mths to get her to send me for a second opinion regarding my breasts! I was on a high dose of HRT after a hysterectomy in 2002, which I stopped taking in August 2008. I'm 46yrs. Do I need to be concerned about dense breast tissue?  

Answer
Well first of all, if you have dense breast tissues, mammography & ultrasound scans are NOT enough. You also SHOULD have MRI breast scans. The reason is that dense breast tissues do not allow a good enough mammography investigation on its own and ultrasound alone is not a good enough complement. The family cancers you mention do not increase your risk for breast cancer. Your dense breast tissues are not in any way themselves a risk factor BUT they do complicate mammography screening - see above - and in that way they are a risk factor. Due to your bowel polyps you SHOULD have regular (once per year or so) check ups with colonoscopy. Your age makes regular breast check ups definitely necessary, once per year or so. Simple breast cysts are not dangerous. Good luck!