Question about screening

[lilbubba]

I have been having a lot of trouble with answers and getting another US and feel really frustrated. However, I turned that magic age 40 and had my first mammogram today. I turn 40 and this becomes an important standard test but have all kinds of female problems and have to fight for a US and doctors appointment.

So when I was having my mammogram the tech asked me if I had ever had one before. When I said no....she started to explain that reading the results of it is based on comparing previous mammogram results and that it is this very comparison that helps diagnose breast cancer. So people are often called back after their first one for every little things seen on it so that the doctor knows what it is.

Maybe I am being naive but I started wondering if they can do this regular screening based on comparing previous results of mammograms...then why can't they do the same with a US for OVCA. They want you to have a mammogram every year...why not a US.  I know that it isn't likely to be foolproof but wouldn't seeing if things change be an indicator that something is going on. I know that over the last year and a half almost 2 years the size of my cysts have increased and fluid has appeared in my abdomen. It seems to me this would help to alert the doctor that something is going on.

[lvfrogs]

Very frustrating for all of you, I imagine.  For the Gynecological Boards to say that a TVUS doesn't fit in as a screening tool!!! Well, hello!!! It is the best thing they have right now.  There is no screening tool, unfortunately.  What the dang doctors need to do, is LISTEN to their patients who know their own bodies and do the testing when asked to. and insurance needs to cover it!!!  ok, off my soapbox for now.

colleen

[SimplyStar]

Well done Sandy   We need to pass that on along to others,  and hope it will make a difference for some.

[Sandymac]

I mentioned this to my Gyn. and she said that it didn't fit in with the recommendations of the Gynecological "Boards" as a screening tool, and that's why it wasn't done as a routine test..  Well, guess what; when I mentioned to her that I had pain in my left ovary at my annual exam, , she did not hesitate to order the TVUS as she wanted to rule out anything ovarian.( I actually thought I had a recurrance of diverticulitis..) Soooo..what I plan on doing next year  is simply say I have pain in the other ovary (since I only have one left now) and request the TVUS.. Maybe that will work

[Jan214]

To weak to get on soap box, but you all know how stronly i feel about this.  I think if ins cos won't pay unless it is diagnostic, than a few more gyns need to be less sure of what they are feelinig at exam time.

[cirella]

Marty...you stay on that soap box!  I do believe that routine VAUS will be available some day.  But when?  I hope soon.  The doctors need to get on board and hopefully insurance companies will, too.

Lilbubba, you aren't naive.  You're right on the money.

Take care,
Lori

[SimplyStar]

I also suggested this  some time ago and it got shot down by some, just think if Leslee would have been getting that yearly TVUS along with her yearly mamogram, she is very faithful about her yearly exams, she might have been lucky enough to be picked up at stage 1  instead of 3 . Her insurance would have covered it. At what age could they start looking?  The young ones get missed because it is "rare" for them to be dx with OVCA,  But the medium age is 45 to 55, so whats wrong with that age being screened?  I want to think this would save many lives if implemented. Getting the symptoms out for all women to be aware of is one thing, knowing what to ask the doctor for at the exam time is another thing. Most of us go to the dentist 1 or 2 times per year to take care of our teeth, we get paps and mamograms, in the US alone, 260,000+ women per year are dx with OVCA, isn't it worth their lives to start promoting this? They even have free mamograms  because the breast people demanded it , they taught self examination, but the woman with OVCA cannot self examine.  I am a very strong advocate of prevention, and early detection. Not all women could get the scans you say, well it is time we do what the breast people did and scream for help. Most people live withing driving distance of a hospital.  these women deserve to know about it before it is too late for so many. If we wait for a "cure" how many will be missed?  Off my soap box   Marty

[Sandymac]

There was a report on Fox news -Tampa Florida last night that reported a Gyn is now using the TVUS as a routine test for all her patients. I too wonder why it can't be used more. Evidently there aren't a lot of "techs" around and the cost may be prohibitive inasmuch as some insurance companies won't pay for it unless it's clearly diagnostic rather than "screening' . I think it would certainly be worthwhile and a small price to pay for peace of mind if nothing else...