Hi bluebell2002,

I totally understand where you are coming from here.  It's acknowledged that lobular cancer is harder to see on mammograms (although my surgeon told me it can be seen).  Add in the issue of dense breasts, and naturally it's a worry.  In answer to your question.  No, I don't think anyone would get yearly screening MRI's on the NHS. 

I had BC last year that biopsies showed was a very small and low grade invasive ductal and DCIS in 2 areas.  I had a mastectomy.  However the post op histology also showed that I had LCIS.  Whilst this isn't considered to be breast cancer, it can put you at higher risk of developing lobular BC in the remaining breast.  I was told in no uncertain terms that I wouldn't get an MRI then or in the future and that yearly monitoring mammograms are sufficient.  I still worry about it tbh.

Hope you can get some answers and best wishes for your continued recovery.

Mary 

Hi Bluebell,

i had a mastectomy for lobular cancer three years ago.  I opted for the full mastectomy and afterwards my surgeon said he was glad that's what I wanted as he might have had to do it anyway as, once he could see it, the tumour was larger than expected. I was sent for an MRI scan, before the surgery and the surgeon said I didn't need it as I was going for the mastectomy and the MRI is to show the size of the tumour so the surgeon knows how large the site of a lumpectomy would be. I have had annual mammograms on the other breast, plus two punch biopsies while held in the mammogram machine for tiny calcifications that are only visible in a mammogram. Both failed to grab whatever they had seen and I didn't even get my next mammogram on time. I had to make a complaint as I hadn't had a face to face checkup since the early days after my surgery and even the telephone one had been cancelled. This was due to the pandemic, of course,  but I have been promised a physical checkup and mammogram on time this year.

I have to say, I have been fine since.  I take Letrozole every night and supplements prescribed for me but have no other related problems, just age related aches and pains.  I didn't have Chemo or rads, just the mastectomy and axillary node clearance. At my age, now 76, I was told chemo probably wouldn't do me any good and I didn't need rads because I had the mastectomy!  The side effects from the Letrozole are few and bearable. I'm very lucky! I hope you will be, too

Love

Christine xx

Dear Mary and Christine,

Thank you both for your message and for sharing your experience. 

I'm sorry about the late reply, I've been in and out of hospital due to some minor post op complications. Feeling a little better now. 
 

Thank you again. 
 

take care.

xxx