Why I Chose a Breast Ultrasound Screening
/I had two breast cancer screenings this year.
That’s right, TWO. A traditional mammogram and a breast ultrasound.
Why?
1) Mammogram
I had my annual advanced 3D mammogram.
I got the same results I do every year “no evidence of breast cancer or other significant abnormality.” It was followed by this disclaimer:
Based on your recent mammogram, you have dense breast tissue.
“As of September 1, 2011, under House Bill 2102 (Henda's Law), the State of Texas requires that you receive the following notice:
If your mammogram demonstrates that you have dense breast tissue, which could hide abnormalities, and if you have other risk factors or breast cancer that have been identified, you might benefit from supplemental screening tests that may be suggested by your ordering physician. Dense breast tissue, in and of itself, is a relatively common condition. Therefore, this information is not provided to cause undue concern, but rather to raise your awareness and to promote discussion with your physician regarding the presence of other risk factors, in addition to dense breast tissue.”
Thirty eight states have laws mandating dense breast tissue notification laws because there is an increased risk of breast cancer with dense breasts.
This 2018 survey showed only 23.0% of women overall knew that increased breast density was associated with a higher risk of breast cancer.
This TED TALK - Dangerous boobs alert! Dense breast tissue hides tumors says 40% of women have dense breast tissue and it is a cautionary tale of what can happen if dense tissue hides an abnormality.
Every year I get my mammogram and I feel uneasy about the results.
This year I decided I was not willing to settle for my limited mammogram results.
Full disclosure: HerScan offered me a free breast ultrasound in exchange for my review. This is my honest assessment without any input from HerScan. I don’t get any other compensation from them. Also note: I’m not a medical professional. Always check with your doctor if you have questions about medical screenings.
2) Breast Ultrasound Screening
I did my research on breast screenings for women with dense breasts. I reached out to HerScan, after seeing them on Instagram, to inquire about a Breast Ultrasound Screening. I got an appointment at a HerScan location within a week. It was quick and painless. Within a week and a half I received an email with a PDF of my results and information on how to sign into the patient portal to view ultrasound images. There were 13 images from multiple angles. These are my results:
Our Radiologist has completed a review of your screening examination. As indicated in this report, the doctor identified NO ABNORMAL CONDITIONS.
What is a Breast Ultra Sound Screening?
It’s basically the same technology, an ultrasound, used on pregnant women to see into their womb. The images are also referred to as sonograms. There is no radiation involved and it’s even safe for breast feeding moms. A gel is applied to the breast and an ultrasound technicia, an ARDMS certified Sonographer, takes ultrasound photos of the breast and surrounding underarm area. A radiologist reads the images and reports the results.
Where can I get a HerScan?
HerScan is a mobile service. A technician can set up in a company’s office and is often set up in a hotel conference room behind medical divided curtains. My scan was in a patient room at a chiropractor’s office. The ARDMS certified Sonographer who preformed my ultrasound was very professional and knowledgeable. You can look on the HerScan website for events in your area.
Can I get a breast ultrasound instead of a mammogram?
Mammograms can show early signs of breast cancer and are recommended yearly. If you are unable to get a mammogram (breast feeding, physical issues make it hard or impossible) your mammogram results are inconclusive (dense breasts and breast implants make it hard to see all tissue) or you are unwilling to get a mammogram (fear of implant rupture, fear of pain for breast compression, don’t want to undergo the radiation yearly, or other issues) than having an ultrasound screening is much better than not having any screening at all.
Do I need a doctors referral or prescription?
Nope, you just make an appointment. You can easily send the results to your doctor after you receive them.
Do you recommend HerScan?
Definitely, I have already referred my friends.
According to BreastCancer.org these are some of the statistics:
About 43,250 women in the U.S. are expected to die in 2022 from breast cancer.
In 2022, an estimated 287,850 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in women in the U.S., along with 51,400 new cases of non-invasive (in situ) breast cancer.
About 2,710 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in men in 2022. A man’s lifetime risk of breast cancer is about 1 in 833.
For women in the U.S., breast cancer death rates are higher than those for any other cancer, besides lung cancer.
About 85% of breast cancers occur in women who have no family history of breast cancer.
I’m so glad I found the HerScan breast screening. I plan to visit HerScan annually as part of my preventative health care schedule. I can feel confident I have been thoroughly screened for signs of breast cancer.
