Stories

Sept. 2015: I had a routine Mammogram in Vancouver, BC. Having fibrous breasts, I generally got checked every 2 years. Oct.  2015: The mammogram report said “all clear” – see you in 2 years. Nov. 2015:  During a routine physical exam, my general practitioner detected a small lump in my right breast. He ordered an…

In April 2013, I discovered a very small, pea-like lump on my left breast in the shower. I wasn’t too alarmed as most of these small lumps could be benign cysts.  However, I knew I wanted to check it out with my family doctor. My family doctor wasn’t concerned at all, but decided I should…

In May 2015, I had a regularly scheduled mammogram, with normal results. I got my letter in the mail and all was fine. Seven months later, at Christmas time, I was taking a shower and felt a lump.  I thought it was a cyst, as I had cysts decades prior and plus it was only…

My story really consists of 2 problems that got missed using mammogram and ultrasound. In November 2012, I found a lump in my right breast. I was sent for a mammogram and ultrasound. I was told I had cysts and there was nothing to be concerned about. On November 26th, 2014 I went for my…

My name is Lorraine and I am from beautiful British Columbia, Canada.  I became a Canadian citizen in 1998, but was born in South Africa. I had my first ‘lump’ in my left breast, two years after the birth of my first child, while still living in South Africa way back in 1981. I remember…

For years, I was told I had cystic breasts, just normal lumpy breasts. I cut back on coffee, tea and chocolate. I was also told there is no such thing as a painful tumour. Cancer tumours don’t hurt right? Wrong. A few years prior to my Stage 4 de novo diagnosis, my GP, the mammography…

Cathy’s breast density story is different from most. She lived in Toronto for a few years, and her family doctor there sent her to a specialist in 1983 because she had already had one benign breast tumor removed at age 23. She was told she had polycystic fibrous breasts that were denser than normal, and…

It is with great sadness that we write about Nancy’s death on November 15, 2018. Nancy died from complications related to bone marrow cancer that was a result of her aggressive chemotherapy 13 years ago. She will continue to inspire us. Nancy M. Cappello, Ph.D. is founder of Are You Dense, and Are You Dense Advocacy…

I’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer twice. The last time was ten years ago. The first time was at the age of 23. I underwent a left radical mastectomy for a highly aggressive grade three breast cancer. I remained cancer free until 12 years later. At that point, I had two beautiful daughters. I had…