Re: mammogram results - another Q
From: Lynn D. Montgomery, MD (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Wed, 27 Dec 2000 16:27:06 -0600 (CST)
At Wed, 27 Dec 2000, mary wrote:
>
>I had a similar situation with mamogram last month - last one I had was
>over 10 years ago. I am 36 and I go back in 6 months to get reviewed
>again. There reasoning was that not having my records from 10 years ago
>they needed a starting/reference point to go by. I have two kids - 3
>1/2 and 9 months. I thought that I read somewhere that the chances of
>having breast cancer decrease during breeding years? Any truth to that?
I stand by my original recommendation. If there is ANY area of
suspicion. I would follow the plan I have delineated. Breast cancer
risk increases on a fairly linear curve with age...
Lynn
>
>At Wed, 27 Dec 2000, Lynn D. Montgomery, MD wrote:
>>
>>At Wed, 27 Dec 2000, Pat wrote:
>>>
>>>Hello:
>>>
>>>I had a mammogram and the results came back yesterday. The
>>>infuriatingly report (My doctor is out of town on vacation, and the
>>>breast clinic refused to elaborate on the results): "Your exam showed an
>>>area that we believe is benign. However in six months, you should have
>>>a follow-up mammogram to confirm that this area has not changed."
>>>
>>>I gues my question is this. If the radiologist only "believes" it is
>>>not cancerous, doesn't th at mean it could be? Therefore, why should I
>>>wait 6 months for a follow-up evaluation. Why not order an ultrasound
>>>or use the newly developed TScan 2000 and give me a definitive
>>>diagnosis?
>>>
>>>Thank you
>>
>>Pat,
>>I am with you on this one. Even though these areas of "suspicion" are
>>likely benign in the vast majority of cases, I have trouble watching
>>them for any period of time. What I usually do in these cases is refer
>>my patients to a breast surgeon or a general surgeon with special
>>interest in breast disease. If, after he/she has had the opportunity to
>>exam you and review the mammogram, he/she feels comfortable waiting,
>>then I feel much better. Otherwise, they may consider further
>>evaluation. In that case, the further evaluation is being supervised by
>>the one who will deal with the disease, if there is one.
>>Finally, currently in the United States, "failure to diagnose" breast
>>cancer is the number one medical malpractice problem. I don't point
>>this out to make light of malpractice, but rather to point out that
>>there are mistakes being made in this field...
>>Lynn
>>
>>--
>>Lynn D. Montgomery, MD
>>Director, Maternal-Fetal Medicine
>>Rocky Mountain Perinatal Center
>>Missoula, Montana
>>
>>**Note: Opinions expressed here are for educational purposes only and, as such, do not constitute a physician-patient relationship. This information is not intended to supplant the need for you to consult with your physician prior to choosing therapeutic options and/or interventions.
>>
>>**Private e-mails cannot be entertained due to time constraints, consequently no private e-mails will receive a response.
>>
>>**Thank you for your understanding ;-)
>>
--
Lynn D. Montgomery, MD
Director, Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Rocky Mountain Perinatal Center
Missoula, Montana
**Note: Opinions expressed here are for educational purposes only and, as such, do not constitute a physician-patient relationship. This information is not intended to supplant the need for you to consult with your physician prior to choosing therapeutic options and/or interventions.
**Private e-mails cannot be entertained due to time constraints, consequently no private e-mails will receive a response.
**Thank you for your understanding ;-)
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