Mammogram

Why would a OB/GYN be so dumb that he can't tell me whether or not I should get a mammogram? Seriously, how do they get through medical school if they are this stupid?

Please answer, because I'm paying $22 to ask this question online. And seriously want an answer.

[Elaine Brown, MD]

Hi!
The recommendations for mammography are constantly changing, so it can sometimes be difficult to decide what to do.

The best scientific data that I can find suggests that women over 40 should have a mammogram every other year.  Most doctors recommend annual mammograms for women over 50, and some recommend annual mammograms for women over 40.

For women who are at increased risk due to a significant family history of breast cancer, the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene, fibrocystic breast disease with biopsies showing atypia, or a personal history of breast cancer, MRI may be beneficial and mammograms are often started as early as 25.

For women with dense breast tissue, ultrasound and/or may be added to the mammogram to improve diagnostic accuracy.

It should be noted that I am not making medical recommendations to individual patients -- please see the disclaimer.  

Whether or not YOU personally need a mammogram should be decided by you and your doctor.  If you are not satisfied with your ob/gyn, you might want to consult with surgeon who specializes in breast disease, or an oncologist.
Because different medical societies have different recommendations, you may get different answers.

The BEST answer is probably to have the mammogram done -- if you were my patient, that is probably what I would suggest.

Good luck!
Dr B