[jjhoffer]

Hi there!

Has anyone else ever been diagnosed with this? At my mammogram two years ago it was discovered I had lumps in both breasts. I underwent bilateral biopsies and the result was a diagnosis of diabetic mastopathy. I was told it was no big deal and that as long as yearly mammograms and ultrasounds showed no change there was nothing to worry about. I have tried looking it up online and mentioning it in other groups but have yet to come across any information. Any info would be appreciated!

Smiles,
Jenny

[mumfer78]

Hey Jenny,
I don't know if mastopathy was the official diagnosis, but I went in for my yearly appt, nurse felt some lumps and sent me for an ultrasound. They couldn't see anything because my breasts were too dense, so I had a mammogram that same day. Again, they couldn't see anything. Then I went for an MRI. Nothing to be concerned with, just very dense, but they still did a biopsy in each breast. Everything came back normal.

The doctor kept telling me I had very dense breasts and that it's not uncommon for diabetics to have this. I never reported the "lumps" as I thought since they are about the exact on both sides and I thought it was normal. I also was told, no big deal, just keep up with monthly self-exams and yearly physical ones, along with the mammograms.

I was unable to locate any info online either. The few things I read were, yes, diabetics can sometimes develop dense breasts. That's about it.

I do have a co-worker that went through the same thing, dense breast tissue, even had a reduction done, and she is perfectly healthy - and she's not a diabetic. So I have no idea why it happens.

Sorry I can't be of much informational help, but I just thought you'd like to know you aren't the only one who has been through this... maybe someday we'll get an answer.

Jen ☺

[jjhoffer]

Thanks, Jen! It is nice to know I'm not the only one who has been through this. Kind of like back in 5th grade when I learned I wasn't the only diabetic kid in town. Though now, as a 39yr veteran of diabetes, I seem to know more people with one type or another than not! It's interesting, also, to hear a non-diabetic has gone through it. Guess we aren't the only "lucky" ones!

Smiles,
Jenny

[lisamarie]

Hi,
This is my first time here, but this topic caught my eye. I have been dealing with something similiar. I looked this condition up on the Internet, thinking it might explain my symptoms. But I have some pain with my lumps, and they did not show up on Mammography or U/S. Or on the MRI which I insisted on having. In fact, no one I asked about Diabetic Mastopathy had even heard of it. I have very dense breast tissue, and I am post menopausal at 60. The only thing I can think of which would explain it would be my having been insulin dependent for 32 years. I am posting this hoping that there will be more conversation about it, or some input from someone who has had it. From what I read about dense breasts, it puts you at greater risk for breast cancer--and not just because of the masking effect of the dense tissue. I am glad you guys brought up this topic and hope more ladies will respond. Lisa