Mammograms

[doubtingtina]

I've recently had my first mammogram and don't consider it a good experience.  With no previous mams to compare, no family history, no high risk life stye, and nothing noticed in the clinical screening, I'm shocked at the process of what I went through and now know what other women go through for this routine test.  The stress and anxiety of this process alone could make a person sick.  And to think most women do this every year.....  

My screening mammogram indicated a small density in one breast that required further investigation.  The follow-up compression view indicated the density could be seen from one angle, but not from another.  No calcifications.  The follow-up ultrasound showed practically nothing.....a spot that is characterized as asymentrical (no mass, no cyst), yet biopsy was recommended.

Upon internet research, I found this site with many questions and comments by women who have concerns about the results of their mammograms.  I question the exam itself.  Going into this test, I can see I was a bit naive.  I thought the exam was about finding tumors, but it appears almost every little shadow is questioned and many needless biopsies are performed.  

What if these densities are normal parts of our ever changing body?  It's well known that we all have free radicals moving throughout bodies.  What if our bodies are always battling bits of cancer and it's only when they get out of control, that cancer tumors begin to form?  What if interferring with our body's ability to fight these areas, actually causes the cancer to grow out of control?  What if this annual mammogram x-ray actually stimulates the growth of cancer?  It's said that the mammogram gives us a dose of radiation that equals no more than 3 months of background radiation (whatever that is).  But when women have to go back several times to have compression views, after 3-4 x-rays we're up to a whole year's worth of "background radiation" given within weeks.  Does this actually counter what we're trying to prevent?

It's also mentioned that the more biopsies a woman has, the more likely she will develop cancer in the future.  Is this because doctors have interferred with our body's own defenses?

Studies show that 1 out of 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime and detecting it early gives a much better chance of defeating it.  What if these early stages were never a problem to begin with?  The body is a wonderful thing.  What if our bodies have the ability to fight off the early stages of cancer?  Are studies blown out of proportion because the medical community is obsessed with finding breast cancer too early, when it really isn't a problem?

Breast cancer is real.  I know several people who have lost their lives to it, and I'm not trying to make light of this terrible disease.  But are doctors looking too hard.  Are doctors intervening and taking drastic steps to rid the body of the beginning stages of a disease that our bodies could have fought alone, without the devastating treatments that currently exist.  It seems the better the testing gets, the harder they look, the earlier they detect and the earlier they intervene.  Perhaps we're jumping the gun and taking drastic steps when they aren't needed.

Maybe erring on the side of caution helps protect the doctor from lawsuits and makes some patients feel better.  I'm for the more conservative approach.  Review, monitor and see if the body can resolve the problem itself.  I'd be interested in knowing if any medical studies have been done to investigate this theory.

[katarina777]

I really appreciate your coming to this breast cancer website to teach us about the uselessness of mammograms!

Maybe you could make friends with the chiropractor who told a lady a few comments up or down to stop chemo and for he can cure her cancer much better.

[doubtingtina]

http://www.bcbs.com/news/wellness/the-trouble-with-mammograms.html

[fran448]

Tomorrow- it will be 1 year since I found out that I had breast cancer- and thank g-d for the mammogram- I had calcifications which were seen but no lump. Per the surgeon- I would have not been around in a couple of years if I waited 6 months to see what my body would do. I also had a friend who thought like you- we buried her 6 months ago of inflammatory breast cancer- by time we convinced her to see a doctor- it was too late-she only lived another 4 months- she never saw her 1st grandchild being born or see her youngest daughter getting married- stubborness kills!!!

I hope you have some good friends or a family member who cares about you- they need to make you realize cancer is not always seen- that is why it is called the silent killer sometimes- it sneaks up on you

[SueYoung55]

Wow... . An observation from a cancer survivor: you have a very cavalier attitude.
As someone who had regular mammograms and ultra sounds every year, I think you should do a little more investigating. You signed paperwork at the time of your mammogram. Did you read it? Did you see where it mentions that mammograms can't detect approximately 15% of cancers? Ultra sounds don't always find it either.
I wish to God that the mammogram did pick up my cancer. I wish to God that the ultra sounds had picked up my cancer.... while it was still just pre-cancerous cells and not an ugly 10 cm mass with tentacles that reached all the way to my chest wall. I wish to God that it had not spread to my lymph nodes. All of this happened while being regularly tested. Some cancer's don't show themselves until it's too late and in my case, never on a mammogram. I would have preferred a biopsy any day to what I've gone through. As for the treatment? It's tolerable. I worked all the way through my chemotherapy and radiation. I missed 6 business days when I had my mastectomy. As for scars? I'd gladly take more of them as long as I get the chance to live, cancer free. The wonderful ladies I met while getting my chemotherapy who are fighting round 2 or round 3 of this horrible disease would not understand your attitude. They have done traditional treatments and some have flown to small foreign countries trying different (non-standard) treatments just to stay alive! I get the point you're going after with your post, really I do. It's the attitude it was presented with, Ms. WISE one.  I hope you get your 10 years of "normal" life. I hope I get mine! I hope for that every single day! All of us survivors hope for just that!
ps.. early stage breast cancer won't wait 10 years to say hello..
If I had gotten cancer free results, my first thought would have been :There but for the grace of God, go I.

[doubtingtina]

This is doubtingtina.  I did NOT heed my doctor's advice to follow the recommendations of the radiologist to have an ultrasound guided excision biopsy of this quesitonable area that the radiologist referred to as a "lesion".  I preferred waiting 6 months to check the area again by ultrasound.  (As stated before, I had no family history of the disease and this was my 1st mammogram.  The reports stated that the "lesion" could be seen from one mammogram angle, but not from other angles.  The 1st follow-up ultrasound report seemed to indicate that there was a tiny area of density and recommended biopsy.)  Of course when I refused the biopsy, my doctor was concerned and wanted to, at least, do another clinical exam 3 months into the wait, which we did.  Nothing was felt during the 2nd clinical exam, as there was nothing palpable to begin with.  I'm here to report that the 6-month follow-up ultrasound came back FINE.  It shows all NORMAL breast tissue.  No lesions.  No cysts.  My breasts are normal, my body is scar-free, and I'm a bit wiser to how all this works.  I will no longer buy into the fear caused by these yearly exams.  Women's breasts change constantly.  I think women need to take control of this process and not let the process control them.  Too many needless procedures are taking place and one has to wonder if it really is for the good of the woman's health. (As one study shows-only 20% of the biopsies performed prove to be cancer.)  Don't let fear rush you to a decision.  Let common sense rule.  Know your body, know your history, discuss options with your doctor, and let those factors be your guide.  Going back to the thoughts in my earlier posting, if this was a small bit of cancer, perhaps my body had the tools to fight it.  If an early stage cancer is still present and it comes back to haunt me in 10 years, then that's 10 years I will have lived a normal life.  And perhaps in that 10 years, they will actually find tolerable treatments and an actual cure.

Now, to get my blood pressure back under control!
Not feeling foolish (madgeOwens), feeling WISE.
Doubtingtina

[madgeOwens]

Lets all take a deep breath here.  Do not gamble with your life and be thankful they found something that has the possiblity of being cancer, they found it early.  You need to understand that many girls in here have had and have cancer and are very thankful for medical technology for saving their lives.  By all means come in and discuss but be a little empathetic to other people and the diagnosis they are living with. If it were not for mammograms as painful as they can be, these people may not be alive. Lets be thankful.Madge

[japdip]

Well I'm sorry but I don't agree with your attitude about mammograms. They have a purpose and it should be respected. Breast cancer is a very serious matter .. as you stated and this is the first step in discovering this disease. You aren't just looking for a lump; you are looking for something that hasn't yet gotten to this stage. Any abnormality should be investigated further .... the earlier it is found, the more easily treated and cured. What you experienced is nothing more than "good medical practice" and has absolutely nothing to do with lawsuits. It's done for your health and for no other reason. If you feel this way about further testing then by all means don't have any .... just ganble with the possibility that you might indeed have a very early stage of cancer. When something abnormal is found on mammogram then there is a protocol to follow it to conclusion. You are always entitled to refuse any test or treatment offered but this is a very foolish thing to do under the circumstances. It's the same as going to the Dr. for some condition, getting a prescription and never having it filled .... nonsense !!  I wonder how many Breast Cancer Survivors are scratching their heads about your ?? attitude about this devastating disease ...

[madgeOwens]

In a day where people like to sue doctors at the first crack out of the barrel you can really blame frivoace law suits for much of the over kill testing. However having said that, it is important to get breast cancer in its earliest stage to survive.  If they go a bit overboard making sure its nothing to worry about, it often saves lives.  The worry goes with it, and you cannot escape that unless you are not prone to worry and I envy you haha.  I think you need to write these questions down and present them to your breast surgeon and or physician and have him explain in detail, what they see and why they wish to proceed with whatever they have decided.  You have every right to question what they want to do but be sure you are not hurting yourself in this process.  Prevention is key!