Reality Rally

To whom it may concern:

My name is John F. Carroll. My mother, Michele P. Carroll, was diagnosed with Stage III invasive lobular carcinoma on April 7, 2014. Eight months ago she had a mammogram that was read as normal. What no one told her is that she has dense breasts and that finding any cancer would be difficult due to the consistency of her breasts. WOWT Channel 6 will air an interview with us and her surgical oncologist, Dr. Janet Grange, about breast density. Dr, Grange lost her sister to breast cancer 30 years ago. The interview will air on Wednesday, April 9, 2014 at 10 PM.

Women, and in particular, Nebraska women with dense breasts are not being given the proper information to protect themselves. Dr. Grange, a surgical breast specialist, will be talking about the issues of breast density and the fact that the medical community must do a better job of providing education on breast density. In the era of digital mammograms, there is no reason that breast density should be an issue. Many states have breast density notification laws. I have not been able to find out why in Nebraska LB 876 died in committee or better yet find out who introduced the bill. Breast density is a risk that must be reported to Nebraska women, ALL women. Period.

My mom had a mammogram in August, it was read as normal. What she was not told is that she has dense breasts and that her mammogram would not be reliable in finding breast cancer. In addition, she was also not told that her breast density was asymmetrical, which should have been a red flag. She was told on Monday that she has invasive lobular carcinoma. It is in at least one lymph node per ultrasound which makes her at least stage III. My mom will undergo scans on April 10, 2014, to determine whether it has spread beyond her lymph system. She will undergo a double mastectomy on April 23rd.

Many states now require a notice be sent to women warning them that they have dense breasts. It further informs women to speak with their doctors about the need for additional testing such as an ultrasound, breast MRI or 3D imaging to screen for breast cancer. My mom was not told about this risk. She was not told about these options. She was not offered any other additional testing.

Bottom line is that mammograms are not reliable tests for women with certain types of breast density. Women are being told their mammograms are "normal" but they may not be normal if they have dense breasts.

We need a Federal Law requiring radiologists to send a letter to their patients informing them of their breast density and the potential need for further testing.

We welcome any support to make sure women are provided vital information regarding their breast density and actions they should take to protect themselves.

Proud son of a soon to be breast cancer survivor,

John F. Carroll