I don't know about you, but I read this article from Reuters and feel a little queasy.The article reviews the results of a comprehensive survey of accuracy of diagnostic mammograms, over 7 years and 36,000 mammograms.
And let's keep in mind that "diagnostic" mammograms are what they call the ones that happen after a lump has been found.
Key excerpt:
On average, 21 percent of breast cancers were missed and 4.3 percent of women underwent a biopsy even though they didn't have breast cancer
21% were missed!!! That's unbelievably high!
I have this "shadow" in my mammogram. it wasn't there when I got my baseline mammogram done at 35 (which I know not everyone gets) but was suddenly there when i took my first routine mammogram at age 40. Another mammogram and ultrasound followed. But since no one could feel anything, nor could they find anything during the ultrasound, they decided it was just a slightly denser spot of breast tissue. I then spent two years going for mammograms every six months to make sure it didn't change, which it didn't. And now I'm back to an annual schedule.
And feeling a little more nervous about it than I was before reading this article.
One suggestion from the folks conducting and analyzing the survey? If you live in an area where there is not a high incidence of breast cancer cases, you might take the time and trouble to get yourself to the closest city that has a specialty practice. As they put it: An hour's drive might be worth the greater expertise.
'Cause most people's health coverage is all flexible like that, right?
Sigh.
Since I was diagnosed with breast cancer in January at the age of 33, I've had more mammograms then I care to admit.
It frustrates me that insurance companies don't pay for baseline mamos until 40. It took me finding a lump the size of a big marble before I could get anything seriously looked at. I wasn't "old" or post-menopausal, so I wasn't suppose to have cancer.
I am glad you are in the clear. Keep up on the annual pictures, and stay healthy!
Posted by: Rebe | December 16, 2007 at 06:19 PM
I'm sorry to hear both about your diagnosis, and that it took so long for you to be taken seriously!
I may not be remembering properly, but i feel like my doctor prescribed a baseline at 35 and that it was covered. But I know rules have changed a lot in those intervening 8 years. they don't even pay for annual pap smears or mammograms anymore, i think. I think my annual ones only get covered because I have this spot they're tracking.
It's all a numbers game, apparently, and woe to you if youa re statistically unusual.
Posted by: Elisa Camahort | December 16, 2007 at 06:27 PM
What is a baseline mamogram ? I haven't heard of it before so am not sure if I have had one or not ? Is it typical protocol at most hospitals to do at around age 40 ? Is this a question I should ask my healthcare professional ?
Posted by: Sharon Buth | January 27, 2011 at 07:34 PM
A baseline is one they take at a relatively young age, before most cancers appear. Then when they start taking them again regularly, they have something to com are to.
Posted by: Elisa | January 27, 2011 at 08:02 PM