I have been diagnosed with invasive lobular carcinoma (a type of breast cancer). It grows in a 'web' rather than a lump, and is difficult to detect on mammograms. I'm very grateful to the radiologist who read my mammogram, performed ultrasound, and pushed to get me scheduled for a biopsy the next day.
If you are over 45 and have been told you have fibrous tissue and/or dense breasts, please ask to have an ultrasound along with any mammogram. When combined they are much more successful in diagnosing this type of cancer.
It is usually diagnosed between ages 45 and 56 and is more common in women who had early puberty (check), first child after age 30 (check), or high alcohol consumption (nope). The exact cause is not known, and the incidence is rising. It represents about 10% of breast cancers.
The cells are slow growing and estrogen and progesterone positive, which means I have a good prognosis for complete recovery. To get there, I must first undergo neo-adjuvant (before surgery) chemotherapy (AC + T), followed by total breast replacement (my preferred term, it sounds nicer than the medical terminology), followed by five years of hormone suppression therapy.
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