Off Topic Post...........

[starfire]

But it makes me irritable......... Don't remember if I posted about it at the time but I had a mammogram last year (about 6 mo ago). They found "something" and did an ultrasound right after the mammo. A woman (can't remember what title they called her but not a radiologist) said it was probably fine but wanted me back in 3 to 6 mo to check it again. Being me, I chose the 6 mo option.

I had the apt for another mammo and ultrasound yesterday morning. Once the radiologist had seen the film from the mammo, I was told I didn't need the ultrasound and that if the radiologist had seen my first film he probably wouldn't have had me come back. I was really irratated that I went through an unnecessary dose of radiation (which can cause cancer).

What in the world are you supposed to do when people (who are supposed to know) cause you to get extra exposure from being overly cautious.

Pretty much the same thing happened to me in Florida a few years ago (different side) except the people in Florida weren't as "loose liped" as the woman who was honest with me yesterday.

Just needed to blow off some pressure.

Love, Shirley

[brandy]

Hi Shirley,

Not really off topic as these situations must be more common than we think. My Mom had a biopsy scheduled after the radiologist "found something" in routine mammogram. Mom was stressed the weeks prior to biopsy as you know how you get. Mom was prepped for biopsy and hanging out with anesthesiologist waiting for surgeon. Surgeon calls anesthesiologist advising he was not doing the biopsy as he just read the film and biopsy was not warranted. 15 minute shouting/cussing match ensued over the phone between anesthesiologist and surgeon in which anesthesiologist told surgeon he had had these films for weeks, his office had caused Mrs. Miller undue stress for weeks, Mrs. Miller and anesthesiologist had inconvenienced themselves to be there. After the cussing match surgeon showed up, biopsy done, nothing found. Brandy

[tex]

This is exactly why Dr. Briffa, and a few other doctors who take the time to view issues from the patient's point of view, also, have been campaigning against the entire mammography program - because it simply is more trouble, and causes more stress, than it's worth, and the statistics show that it probably doesn't actually save any lives, either, in the long run. Too many women are subjected to unnecessary stress, inconvenience, and expense, in order to gain a few early diagnoses that probably would have been caught in time by conventional screening methods, anyway. IOW, there are far too many false positive results, which brings into question the usefulness of the entire program. The program does, however, make a lot of money for a lot of people in the business.

http://www.drbriffa.com/2011/09/01/rese ... ammograms/

http://www.drbriffa.com/2010/03/26/bmj- ... mmography/

It's sort of like the PSA test for men - even the originator of the test now advises against doing it, because it causes more stress and anxiety than it's worth, and probably doesn't actually save any lives in the long run, anyway.

Love,
Tex

P. S. Brandy, I realize it wasn't funny at the time, I couldn't keep from laughing at your description of two supposedly dignified professionals "dukeing it out" over the phone, in a cussing match. Obviously it's not just the patients who are frustrated with the shortcomings of the program. And the anesthesiologist was right - most doctors never seem to bother to look at reports until the last minute, which leads to a heck of a lot of inefficiencies in the system, to say nothing of frustration and ill will.

[nancyl]

That's a tough call. The mammogram was the only way mine was detected because it was microcalcification in the duct. (DCIS)

I do agree, we were just saying the other day, there seems to be an epidemic. At least three people in the last month that I know had to go back because of something suspicious and in all cases (thank goodness) everything turned out OK.

Nancy

[MaggieRedwings]

I have been on a 6-month ultrasound regimen for the last 3 years. I totally dislike it and will not be doing it again since the ultrasound did not pick up the fact that the cyst have become a ganglia that burst and had to have dug out twice within 3 days about 6 weeks ago.

Maggie

[Gloria]

Ouch, Maggie! I hope you healed quickly.

Brandy,

What a story! I can't believe that the surgeon still did the biopsy after the telephone exchange. Your poor mother was caught right in the middle. The surgeon wasn't thinking about her; his ego got in the way.

I've been on the 6 month mammogram/ultrasound for several years, too. Of course, I always waited a year. They've never found anything. Last year they finally said I don't need to have another mammogram in 6 months and no ultrasound is necessary.

Gloria

[Sheila]

Most women probably have mammo horror stories and I know men have similar stories re the PSA testing. However, you have to decide if the women who are diagnosed with breast cancer because of mammograms and whose lives are saved are worth the wasted time, money & discomfort for those of us who test okay. I'd rather have the damned test once every 1 to 2 years, have it covered by insurance for every woman, and know that if there is cancer there is a good chance of finding it in time to save a life. Too many friends have been diagnosed with breast cancer. It is an epidemic.

As to PSA testing................my first husband died of prostate cancer. After the fact I was told that the correct way to look at PSA findings was to look at PSA velocity, how quickly the number goes up. He had a very aggressive cancer that metastasized very quickly while the PSA number was still pretty low. Things have probably changed in the 10 years since he died but both my sons must have PSA tests done yearly because of a possible hereditary factor with prostate cancer.

Cancer is an epidemic and any test that would save a life is worth the time, effort and money to those of us who have lost multiple loved ones to the disease.
Sheila W

[Lesley]

I agree with Shirley.