I’m having one tomorrow morning. I’m trying not to be too stressed out about it but the more I Google, the more I wonder if I should be stressing more. I had a mammogram this morning, and they saw a couple of areas of concern so sent me right back for an ultrasound with the doctor. She’s the one who said I should have the BSGI (there is a history of breast cancer in my family). Anyone out there have one before (this questionis obviously for the women on the board)? What can I expect?
Also, my daughter overheard me on the phone with my mom and asked me if I had cancer I told her the doctor was just checking it out, then explained how the test worked (inject gamma, then have more pictures taken). She said, “on the bright side, maybe you’ll come out with a super power…I hope it’s flying!” Such a little jokester…
I am in the business of teaching Mammography and the related diagnostic & therapeutic techniques that are out there. BSGI is a wonderful adjunct and you should be thrilled that you even know about it. Many DOCS still don’t know of it and are NOT promoting it to their patients. I am in the Phila area and the Methodist Hospital (Dr. Lillian Stern) is providing the services to women here. Before any biopsies or surgeries, this procedure is a must! It’s sensitivity and specificity rival MRI and is much cheaper. The equipment resembles an X-ray mammo machine, but is a detector for the radioactivity that the breast will be giving off to create the image. If there is something there - it will show up. Shows physiology (function) as compared to anatomy (structure). Good luck and I commend you for making the decision to have it done. Nothing to be nervous about a this point!! Save the nerves and energy for if and when needed. Dilon website, as previously mentioned - is great with videos, etc…
I have a question I hope you or someone the this board may answer.
I called the hospital that I go to for a regular mammogram. They asked if I had any problems in the past two years. I told them I had a little bump that comes and goes, that is it. Because of this, she told me I need a diagnostic mammogram, and need to see my PCP and have it approved ASAP.
I went to my PCP clinic the next day, and a different doctor was covering for her, checked my chest and came to the conclusion I do not need a diagnostic mammogram, just a regular screening.
When I told the hospital, they were in disbelieve, that they would not sign off on a simple diagnostic mammogram. So for two weeks I went back and forth, trying to get an appointment.
Finally, last Friday, I pretty much begged the hospital to at least give me a screening. So they did, and even though they did not see anything, and think it is probably a cyst, the radiologist wants me to come back in for a more x-rays AND an ultra sound.
I am really confused, hurt, and angry. I have been with my PCP for many years, and have always trusted her, and I have a hard time trusting people. I even emailed her about this, and when I got home yesterday, I had a very rude message from my PCP on my answering machine, telling me she agrees with the other doctor, all I need is a screening. (She has my work # and could have called).
I would really, really appreciate any insight into this situation. My general question: What reason would my PCP have to be so adament that she does not want me to get a diagnostic mammogram?
If I have put this question in the wrong place, I am sorry, I looked and thought this would be the best thread. Thank you.
This is what happens when anything, but particularly medical related things, become regulated by the government. The PCP was perturbed because her judgement was questioned by the radiology receptionist or technologist. And your PCP was correct. A lump that comes and goes is NOT a indications for a diagnostic mammogram. But the government wants these questions asked, and so they are, and when a key word is uttered the government insists a different type of study be done.
This happens all the time, and the doctors offices are used to it, and will generally immediately fax a new order. There is no downside to a diagnostic exam. It is slightly more expensive, but also takes a much greater amount of time. No Radiologist would EVER try to upcharge. The amount of radiation is the same, the service is better, you know the results immediately. So I have no idea why your doc would even care.
Hi Daurbach: Thank you for your reply. I would have just been happy with a regular screening, but like you wrote, as soon as I said I have a tiny lump that comes and goes, they told me I needed a diagnostic.
I swear, I would avoid this if I can. I just have no idea why my PCP is upset with me. I did not ask for the diagnostic mammogram, the hospital did.
Now I am quite upset with my PCP. I feel even if I did ask for a diagnostic mammogram, that is my perogative. I have good health insurance, and have never asked for anything special, ever. One more tidbit, when I last had a mammogram 2 years ago, they called me back in to do further x-rays on my left side, the side I now feel the lump.
I have trust issues, and now I am thinking of looking for a new PCP.
Medical advice questions belong in IMHO (which wasn’t the case when this thread was originally started). Please note that the replies you receive are just the opinions of some folks on the internet and should not be taken as the equivalent of professional medical advice.
Moving thread from General Questions to In My Humble Opinion.
I cannot even conjecture why she should have been perturbed at you. Actually, you cannot ask for a diagnostic mammogram. It has to be indicated. However, it takes google about 2 femtoseconds to educate you on what to say to make it indicated.
I think you should probably find a new place to have mammography done however. You should never have been told that you have to see your PCP to have an order for a diagnostic exam done, it should have been taken care of, with you only knowing about it because you would have to wait a little while for the new order to go through.
Also, IF the radiologist requested more images plus an ultrasound based on a “history” obtained by their staff, and not the referring physician, then their whole attitude is suspect, also suggesting you might be better served elsewhere.
Now I am more concerned then ever. My right hand to God, I had never heard of a diagnostic mammogram, ever, until the person who answers the phone for appointments at the hospital told me. Then I looked it up, and it appears to be little difference between the two. When I did see the radiologist Friday for a normal screening, she is the one who looked over the x-rays and had the receptionist or whomever calls, call me today saying the radiologist wants further x-rays and an ultrasound.
I cannot believe the sticky situation I have gotten myself into. Now I have to go for an ultrasound on my breasts? Really, I have no idea how they do an ultrasound on your chest, I thought they were only done in pregnancies.
So now my PCP is going to be really mad when she hears this one, and I get to have an ultrasound on my chest. I hate my body, and now I have to go and be seen by God knows who. I am so upset, I could cry. Life Sucks.
Fortunately now in IMHO, where it currently belongs.
An ultrasound of the breast is a nothing exam. Painless, without radiation or any known danger.
If you get yearly mammograms for 10 years (I note you get one every other year) then you have a 61% chance of being called back to have something looked at more closely. Nothing to get worried about.
And your PCP was likely perturbed because her medical opinion was usurped by individuals with no medical training. Should not be concerned about all this stuff that flowed out of that.
And in the end she will be right. After all this crap it will all be normal.
Thank you, I hope you are right. I am going to have to mentally prepare for Friday, and find out what I can about “breast ultrasounds”. I swear, if my PCP or the hospital keeps getting upset over this, like some kind of power struggle, I just will not go. Thanks for all your advice.
Oh, and I usually go once a year for a mammogram. I thought I had one in 2013, but I did not. Seeing as 2013 was the worst year of my life, I probably would not have gone anyway.
Nah, you are in known territory now. No body is going to keep getting upset. Nothing to be prepared for either. Simple, fast, and painless exam. They will ask you to point to the thing, and if you say it is no longer there they will either actually or wish to roll their eyes. Be sure you know where you want them to scan.
I told her the doctor was just checking it out, then explained how the test worked (inject gamma, then have more pictures taken). She said, “on the bright side, maybe you’ll come out with a super power…I hope it’s flying!” Such a little jokester…