['lizbeth]

Wow, quite the discussion.

I feel that early detection gives an advantage. This is a war, and cancer is the enemy. We don't know the full intention of this enemy, but it is better to know the enemy is there - before they invade and occupy a greater portion of our territory, and consequently making the cancer cells more difficult to eradicate.

But another point has been made that is also valid, early detection is not always successful. The industry has based treatment on a premise that cancer detected earlier has a higher survival rate, and if we look at studies the 5 year overall survival rates are higher with earlier detection.

The articles I've read and my own experience leads me to an understanding that MRI is a better tool for younger women with denser breast tissue. I would expect that younger women would also have more aggressive cancers. While MRI would be of little benefit to most women, they would be of great value to women with denser breasts.

I did notice on my last mammogram I was categorized by the density of my breast tissue. Has anyone else noticed this change on their scans?