Siobhan Freeney, Patient Advocate Founder of Beingdense.com at Being Dense, shared on LinkedIn:
“Beingdense.com founded in February 2016 by Siobhán Freeney to raise awareness about Breast Density in Ireland. There was no Breast Density literature available to Women in Ireland at the time and it was rarely, almost never discussed by HCPs.
I’m actively campaigning with Lobular Ireland for Standardised Breast Density Reporting in Ireland. We’re calling for Standardised Breast Density Reporting for all Women who have Mammograms.
Up to 50% of ALL Breast Cancers are missed on Mammograms in Dense Breasts. More than 40% of ALL Women have Dense Breasts.
Lobular Breast Cancer is the 2nd most common subtype of Breast Cancer with 500 – 600 Women diagnosed annually in Ireland ILC when small, can be difficult to detect on Mammograms because of it’s diffuse, single cell growth pattern and lack of the E – Cadherin protein. Lobular rarely presents with a classic lump, so it’s often not a palpable abnormality for Women to find in self breast examination.
In fact – the efficacy of Mammograms to detect Invasive Lobular Cancer in Dense Breasts can plummet to as low as 11% (ILCSYMPOSIUM Pittsburgh Matt Covington)
The efficacy of Mammograms to detect Invasive Ductal Breast Cancer in Dense Breasts falls significantly also – to as low as 60%.
We are pleased to note that some Breast Density information has recently been added to the Irish Cancer Society Website.
There are 2 online Public Petitions calling for Mandatory, Standardised dissemination of Breast Density Information, along with Mammogram results.
Approximately 23,000 have signed so far Change.org Tell Me My Breast Density
We very much welcome Irish Cancer Society support to our Breast Density Education and Awareness efforts – thank you.
It’s been a great week for Breast Density Awareness in Ireland thanks to Kieran Cuddihy and RTE Team Liveline – 3 day coverage and discussions with Women who have been directly impacted by the absence of Breast Density Reporting.
Ireland Tell Me My Breast Density.
Tuesday October 13th 12.00 pm
Breast Density Briefing Session to TD’s and Senators in Leinster House Houses of the Oireachtas
‘Patient Stories often become the ground that patients and Healthcare Professionals tread together.”
You can also read: When Bone-Only HR+/HER2− Breast Cancer Turns Visceral: What PR Expression May Tell Us in the CDK4/6 Era
Other articles featuring Siobhan Freeney on OncoDaily.