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Breast Cancer (Expert Forum)
2 questions
Questions posted in the Breast Cancer Forum are answered by medical professionals from The Cleveland Clinic. Topics include Breast Biopsy, Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy, Lumps, Lumpectomy, Lymph node dissection, Lymphedema, Mammograms, Mastectomy, Radiation Therapy, Reconstruction, Self Breast Exam, and Surgery.
2 questions
by jen0615, Nov 12, 2005 12:00AM
Will give you a bit of history prior to my questions. Age 39, history includes benign lump removed 2000.Mother had breast cancer at age 40.I have had yearly mammograms since the benign lump in 2000. At last years mammogram, was called back in for additional films and ultrasound, all was found to be fine. Just fibrocystic changes, which I am prone to have along with asymetry in left breast. I am due for my yearly screening and have been reading about the digital technology. With my history would digital technology be a benefit to me? If so is there a way to find a digital screening center in my area?
I am also uncertain if I wish to return to the center I have always gone to. The reason is at last years mammogram, when I went in for the ultrasound the technician had the radiologist come in to review the ultrasound. Radiologist came in, called me by the incorrect name and had another womans chart in his hand. Looked at the screen and the chart and said,since you have no past history and no breast cancer in the family I think you can just come back in a year for your mammogram" Keep in mind, mother had breast cancer, I had benign lump removed in the past. This was after I corrected the Radiologist of my name and the technician correct him also. He just looked at both of us like we were nuts and left the room.
I dressed and left the center confused. Unsure if we had even discussed my films! The next day the head of radiology called and said she had talked with the technician and had reviewed my films and felt everything was fine.
Just not sure about returning!
I am also uncertain if I wish to return to the center I have always gone to. The reason is at last years mammogram, when I went in for the ultrasound the technician had the radiologist come in to review the ultrasound. Radiologist came in, called me by the incorrect name and had another womans chart in his hand. Looked at the screen and the chart and said,since you have no past history and no breast cancer in the family I think you can just come back in a year for your mammogram" Keep in mind, mother had breast cancer, I had benign lump removed in the past. This was after I corrected the Radiologist of my name and the technician correct him also. He just looked at both of us like we were nuts and left the room.
I dressed and left the center confused. Unsure if we had even discussed my films! The next day the head of radiology called and said she had talked with the technician and had reviewed my films and felt everything was fine.
Just not sure about returning!
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-RN,MSN-rf, Nov 14, 2005 12:00AM
Dear jen0615: Digital technology is fairly new and may offer some advantages to standard mammography. I am not aware of a central database listing locations that have this technology. You might start by contacting the larger academic medical centers in your area or places that you know to have a breast center. One suggestion if you decide to switch locations. You should take copies of your previous mammograms to whatever your new location. In part, mammography interpretation considers changes from prior films. This can be an important part of the screening process.
Your question about digital. Digital is great for women with very dense breasts otherwise screen-film mammography picks up just as much. The thing with digital mammo is that you can tweak and turn the contrast to make things appear or disappear. And your mammogram is only as good as the technologist that performs it. You want someone who is going to position you so that all of your breast is on the film. You also want a facility that is certified thru ACR/FDA. I do mammograms and had the choice of going digital vs film-screen and i went with film-screen. I am 30 with a strong family history of breast cancer and my breasts are dense. My decision was based on knowing how women are shuffled thru the facility that provides digital and having the advantage of seeing the kind of mammograms that they produce. it funcitons much like an assembly line. Just my opinion-I hope i have not gone against the rules of this site by giving my opinion.