Siobhan Freeney, Founder of the Lobular Ireland, shared on LinkedIn:
“Tell Me My Breast Density
‘Stop sending mixed messages, stop playing with our lives. All we’re asking for is access to our own Health Information, one extra line of Clinically Relevant Information on our Mammogram results letter. Knowing our Breast Density matters at every age’
Health Service Executive state that
‘You’re more likely to have dense breasts if you: are under age 50, are pregnant or breastfeeding'(HSE 2023)
International Experts and Studies tell us
50% of Women in their 40’s have Dense Breasts
40% of Women in their 50’s have Dense Breasts and a significant number 25% – 30% of Women aged 70 – 74 will retain their Density.
Long-term studies show that most women follow a stable trajectory, meaning if they started with highly Densebreasts, their tissue often remains relatively dense compared to other Women their age, even if a minor overall reduction occurs.
Through September + October
RTE spoke to Women all over Ireland about how their Mammograms failed to detect sizeable, node positive, Invasive Breast Tumours, ranging from 2cm up to 12cm in size.
Mammographic sensitivity is significantly reduced in Densebreasts making detection of tumors difficult, sometimes impossible.
The core Paradox
A Clear Mammogram Result is an Incomplete Result for Women with Dense Breasts and can give a false sense of reassurance. Women in Ireland are calling for Mandatory Standardised Breast Density Reporting already introduced in other International jurisdictions.
The National Screening Service, HSE abjectly refuse to inform Women about their Personal Breast Density as SEEN on Mammograms, while attempting to reassure Women, telling us Mammography detects the majority of Cancers ‘even in Women with the Densest of Breasts’
(HSE 2026)
Paradoxically the Health Service Executive tell us ‘Essentially IF you are someone with Dense Breasts a Screening Mammogram may be less effective for you. You can’t tell how dense your breasts are by looking at them or by feeling them. Dense breast tissue appears white on a mammogram. But, and here’s the big but. Cancer also appears white on a mammogram. This can make it more difficult to spot breast cancer in the mammogram of women with dense breasts. So essentially if you are someone with dense breasts a screening mammogram may be less effective for you’ (HSE 2023 Dr Alan Smith)
Tell Me My Breast Density
Women report being asked not to ask Questions at Mammogram appointments – does this constitute an infringement on their Patient rights, undermining dignity and respect? There are ethical considerations involved along with a right to InformedConsent.
In 2021 Lobular Breast Cancer Ireland delivered a written Submission for Nationwide, Standardised Mandatory Breast Density Reporting to the NSAC Annual Call.
5 years on there’s been NO Change
Breast Density remains Seen by Radiologists on our Mammograms but not shared with Women.
TellMeMyBreastDensity
Before You Tell Me I Have.”
Other articles featuring Siobhan Freeney on OncoDaily.