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In my own case. I was feeling fine, and went for the routine mammogram. Nothing sinister showed up, and l walked out of there feeling relieved. They must have sent a report to my gynaecologist, because they called me in to check something. Even there, l didn’t know what they were looking for, took ages on an ultra sound. The doctor was concerned by something that was hard, and should have been soft. At that stage there seemed to be nothing to be worried about, but she did a biopsy, and wanted to see me in three months.
The weekend passed, and early on Monday morning l got a call from the boss of the surgery, to “talk about things”. There was no lump in my breast, but the ‘beginning’ of something. So since then, my life has revolved around breast cancer. Surgery to take the thing out, then a course of chemo, followed up by antibody sessions, which l am now the final stages of. It was explained to me that this was precautionary. I weathered it all quite well, no real side effects except some fatigue and brain fog.
But this is the point of my post: that mammograms don’t always work, despite pressure being put on women to have them. I find this worrying, as there must be women out there walking around feeling fine, but they are not, because of a failed mammogram.
But this is the point of my post: that mammograms don’t always work, despite pressure being put on women to have them. I find this worrying, as there must be women out there walking around feeling fine, but they are not, because of a failed mammogram.
I doubt very much you'll find any radiologist/oncologist who disagrees that mammograms can miss some cancers. Problem is, what tool does find all of them? It doesn't exist, at least not now. A combination of self-exam, mammogram, and ultrasound does a bit better. So, those are the tools we have and why the recommendations (pressure?) exist. Another thing to consider about those imperfect mammograms. They are repeated over time. A single one in isolation can certainly miss something. After all, it's just a screen shot at one moment in time, right? The value of repeated scans over time is that they detect change.
A combination of a mammogram with a breast ultrasound works too.
Agreed - I asked my oncologist if I need to continue bi-annual MRI's (because I pay $1500 for them each year as my deductible is $3500) and she said that the 3D mammo combined with an US is really thorough now.
The fast breast mri, while not covered by insurance, costs $300 in my area. It’s worth the $ for peace of mind for me. My breast are the highest level dense.
The fast breast mri, while not covered by insurance, costs $300 in my area. It’s worth the $ for peace of mind for me. My breast are the highest level dense.
I've not heard of this. I'm going to see if it's available in my area.
Okay - this fast breast MRI is available in my area! The only "problem" is that I am mildly allergic to the contrast dye so I usually have to have a steroid prep and valium. I wonder if that jacks up the price? Still - good to know this is an option. My breast is super dense too.
The fast breast mri, while not covered by insurance, costs $300 in my area. It’s worth the $ for peace of mind for me. My breast are the highest level dense.
My wife paid for a breast mri and the radiologist told her that a regular mammogram is actually better!
Live and learn.
My wife paid for a breast mri and the radiologist told her that a regular mammogram is actually better!
Live and learn.
My breasts show up completely white in a mammogram so it’s impossible to see anything. I’m sure it depends on breast density as to which is better.
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