Can't have mammograms due to extreme breast sensitivity and can't have MRI due to the pacemaker I have, what to do?

[nomammosforme]

I had a bone marrow transplant (autologous) 14 years ago after a recurrance of non hodgkins lymphoma and the good news I have been cancer free since but I have many ongoing medical problems, mostly due to the intensive treatments I received.  One of my problems is that I haven't been able to have a mammogram for 14 years due to extreme sensitivity in my breasts.  I have a pacemaker after chemo damage to my heart and so I can't have an MRI.  Two questions I guess.  One being does anyone know why the sensitivity that is so bad?  The second question is does anyone know what kind of tests I can have for screening?  I feel I am at more risk than the average person due to the full body radiation and all the chemo.  Thanks.

[Under Forty Pam]

I don't know how sensitive you are but I follow the rule of I'd rather have 10 seconds of pain then the pain involved with surgery, chemo, rads, and a lifetime of worrying.  Mammograms hurt most of us to an extent so unless something else makes it completely unbearable I'd say get checked out.

[japdip]

I found recently (first time) that the digital mammogram is considerably less uncomfortable that the previous type. Have you tried that ??? I don't believe it is available at every institution but it's worth looking for.

[Cleveland Clinic]

Dear nomammosforme:  The screening tools for breast cancer include clinical breast examination, self breast examination and mammograms.  Ultrasounds can be used but these are best at differentiating cystic and solid structures.  MRI is recommended for  certain women at high risk for breast cancer.  For women with sensitive breasts, mammogram can be very uncomfortable but it only lasts about 10 seconds, so most women are able to tolerate it.  For those women who cannot, options for screening are limited at present.  You might benefit from a discussion with a breast specialist regarding your risk and screening recommendations as well as address whether there is anything that may help with the sensitivity.  This varies widely among women and there is usually no explanation for why some are more sensitive than others.

[cratze]

Breast Ultrasound

[lizziecee]

You should ask for an ultrasound - this is non-invasive, and no radiation.What is the problem with "extreme breast sensitiviy?" This is perplexing.  Most bc patients have mammos, and then ultrasound to zoom in on the tumour area, and this should show if there is any problem. The techs then do a biopsy if any abnormal areas present.