Have Y'all Heard This News About Mammograms?

Where the hell is Rhonda when you really need her?

I won't push this out, jr. Thanks, Y'all!!

Ask for an ultrasound as well. Stuff can show up on an ultrasound which is not detected by a mammo. And don't get scared if they go over a particular spot multiple times. I try to remember to inhale and exhale after that occurs and while waiting for doc to give me the results. Medicine is unfortunately still somewhat of a pseudo-science.

Spoke with OBGyn extensively and as we went over all of the records, I remembered a couple of needle (really they were scalpel) biopsies a few years ago....no deadening, just cutting! Fibroids! BR, you know my body so well! Anyway, it's the same spot, I am not concerned, going to plan my Christmas Dinner Party, see the surgeon in Jan. for the ultrasound and not doing another mammo as this one was digital.

Incidentally, we did speak about the Breast Specialists at N'side/St. Joe and I decided to stay at Piedmont b/c they have all of my records on a sharing system, which means I don't have the extra step of picking them up, etc. Piedmont breast center has become quite fancy, too, BTW. And, just FYI, the radiologists will now speak directly with you just like at N'side, but you still have the problem of the pre-op situation.

Thanks to all of you for being so sweet and thoughtful. I am going right back to being mouthy on these new proposed standards~~~~~~ ;-)

Are they safe?

How safe is a mamogram? I have heard conflicting information over the years. I would rather be safe than sorry but.... what if all the x-ray's are bad for one's body? Has anyone else heard info on that?

Spoke with OBGyn extensively and as we went over all of the records, I remembered a couple of needle (really they were scalpel) biopsies a few years ago....no deadening, just cutting! Fibroids! BR, you know my body so well! Anyway, it's the same spot, I am not concerned, going to plan my Christmas Dinner Party, see the surgeon in Jan. for the ultrasound and not doing another mammo as this one was digital.

Incidentally, we did speak about the Breast Specialists at N'side/St. Joe and I decided to stay at Piedmont b/c they have all of my records on a sharing system, which means I don't have the extra step of picking them up, etc. Piedmont breast center has become quite fancy, too, BTW. And, just FYI, the radiologists will now speak directly with you just like at N'side, but you still have the problem of the pre-op situation.

Thanks to all of you for being so sweet and thoughtful. I am going right back to being mouthy on these new proposed standards~~~~~~ ;-)

I'm glad that your OB/GYN thinks that it's okay to wait until January. That must be a relief.

I had a long talk with the breast surgeon today.

First, I confided that I didn't think I wanted any more mammograms and would just do ultrasound every year. Her response was kind and clinical (paraphrased): If that's what you want to do, I respect that and I understand why. But a mammogram can read different tissue that an ultrasound cannot and vs. So, if you choose solely ultrasound, we won't have a new baseline and the fatty tissue moves so even in six months, something could appear different. I decided to alternate mammo/ultra every 18 mos. And, I might even change my mind later.

We spoke extensively about the proposed standards and she was calm, but expressive that they (breast health community) have spent so much effort, education and energy to get us to have the mammograms and now that could be compromised, all over 1.6MM 'false positives.'
Then, we discussed false positives and determined that the number (IMO - she had no comment), must be lower. Mine has never been a false positive. We could bat around semantics here, but no one has ever told me, "You have cancer; ooops, no you don't." The mammogram detects a 'mass,' which requires further investigation.

I then let her know that I will become vocal both locally and in Washington if this continues with this health care bill. She was encouraging.

I had a cyst and it was aspirated - no cancer! Thank God! Cysts come and go and some drain themselves. Some require a little help. But, it made me realize that the minor stress I experienced from Dec. 12 when I received the letter from the Breast Health Center was indeed minor when it comes to my overall health. And, stress is one of the variables this panel has hammered - unnecessary stress. It wasn't unnecessary in my opinion. It gave me a positive outlook and we were all very proactive!

Thanks to All Y'all for your kind words and encouragement, suggestions and thoughts! It sincerely means more to me than you can imagine!

Cheers~~~~~

Oh, I almost forgot I would let Y'all know the cost. Regular rate for breast surgeon office visit and ultrasound is approx. $600. The aspiration is probably $150.

I will let Y'all know what the negotiated rates are when I receive the EOB. But, how this panel is coming up with $6,000 is beyond me.

So far, this has been less than $1,000. WORTH IT!!!!

Oh, I almost forgot I would let Y'all know the cost. Regular rate for breast surgeon office visit and ultrasound is approx. $600. The aspiration is probably $150.

I will let Y'all know what the negotiated rates are when I receive the EOB. But, how this panel is coming up with $6,000 is beyond me.

So far, this has been less than $1,000. WORTH IT!!!!

Lynnie - over the years, I've had all the scares and biopsies and removals of cysts and lump (non cancerous) - some unnecessary but who cares - at least cancer was ruled out completely. I don't remember the costs - most was covered by insurance. but I do remember the fear of the unknown - the inconclusive mammogram images and interpretations. not fun.

the digital mammogram changed all that for me. the radiologist no longer questions the images and I've never even been recalled for more images in many years. plus, they have good baseline information for me from years of annual images.

that doesn't mean its the best for you or someone else. I mention it because it is the test I found that works best for me. others may need an ultrasound or other method. I think its important to go through those steps to find what is best for you - and sounds like you are doing just that. good luck!

Lynnie -

Thanks for sharing your good news. I don't post often, but I read everyday and I have been thinking about you and the long wait you've had. I appreciate your insight on this topic, as well as that of others here.

You all are a smart, active and informed group of people!

Lynnie - over the years, I've had all the scares and biopsies and removals of cysts and lump (non cancerous) - some unnecessary but who cares - at least cancer was ruled out completely. I don't remember the costs - most was covered by insurance. but I do remember the fear of the unknown - the inconclusive mammogram images and interpretations. not fun.

the digital mammogram changed all that for me. the radiologist no longer questions the images and I've never even been recalled for more images in many years. plus, they have good baseline information for me from years of annual images.

that doesn't mean its the best for you or someone else. I mention it because it is the test I found that works best for me. others may need an ultrasound or other method. I think its important to go through those steps to find what is best for you - and sounds like you are doing just that. good luck!

Thanks, Tootsie. Mine are digital now as well. The spot this mammo picked up was pretty large. The breast surgeon took one look at it and knew immediately what it was, which helped guide our conversation to be so relaxed, informative and encouraging.

Lynnie -

Thanks for sharing your good news. I don't post often, but I read everyday and I have been thinking about you and the long wait you've had. I appreciate your insight on this topic, as well as that of others here.

You all are a smart, active and informed group of people!

Thank you for thinking of me, gardening! I have seen your posts and wondered what you garden. ;-)

In speaking with GF this evening, I got fired up again over this mysterious panel. The logic isn't there and the math doesn't add up; and, it is suggested right before the House voted on the health care bill. Stinky, foul, nasty (truly nasty) politics.

I need to find a Task Force or create one! Grumble, grumble!!!!

I am very thankful! And, right now, especially thankful for all of the good wishes, particularly my Groovy Boobies and my right to get downright mouthy with some politicians. 😀 I can hardly wait~~~~~

I just need to get my swine flu shot before I catch the swine flu. I had this lady tell me not to get a flu shot and I looked at her and said, I think my brain is working better than that.

I can not understand these people who think everything is bad for you. So I would say to anyone who is on the fence to go get as many mammograms as you want. If they were bad for you, your Doctor would tell you.

I just received my EOB. If I didn't have insurance, this visit for professional services, ultrasound, echo and aspiration would have cost $1,039. Including the mammogram, brings the total to $1,322.

I still cannot understand how they are determining the charges at $6,000 for false positives. The only thing I can determine is that they are getting the scalpel out~~~~

Fascinating to hear about the cost. I applaud you for being able to figure out your EOB. Not the easiest thing to do! All kidding aside I am glad you got a great result. I do love hearing about the actual cost. It is so interesting. Who knows where the government gets their figures. As much as I love to dream about everyone having wonderful health care it will be a disaster if the government gets a firm hold of it. They already control too much of it i.e. Medicare/Medicaid programs/regulatory oversight. I had stage III breast cancer at the age of 40. What a kick in the butt. But you know what - nobody is guaranteed tomorrow and we all need to be kind to each other. I will never forget this - in the middle of my treatment I took my 3 kids who were young to one of those arcade game places to have a fun afternoon. As I sad there watching them play some games a nice lady asked me about the scarf on my head. I told her I was undergoing treatment for breast cancer. She said she was sorry and that her sister had it also. I didn't really want to know how it turned out because I was so terrified then but I asked her how her sister was doing. She looked at me and said she had passed away. My heart sank and I told her how sorry I was. She said that the cancer had not taken her but she had gotten in an auto accident on her way to a chemo treatment and died. Doesn't that just say it all? Who knows about anything? I love checking out the comments on this website even though I still am trying to figure the ins and outs of it. Thanks for your insight.

Fascinating to hear about the cost. I applaud you for being able to figure out your EOB. Not the easiest thing to do! All kidding aside I am glad you got a great result. I do love hearing about the actual cost. It is so interesting. Who knows where the government gets their figures. As much as I love to dream about everyone having wonderful health care it will be a disaster if the government gets a firm hold of it. They already control too much of it i.e. Medicare/Medicaid programs/regulatory oversight. I had stage III breast cancer at the age of 40. What a kick in the butt. But you know what - nobody is guaranteed tomorrow and we all need to be kind to each other. I will never forget this - in the middle of my treatment I took my 3 kids who were young to one of those arcade game places to have a fun afternoon. As I sad there watching them play some games a nice lady asked me about the scarf on my head. I told her I was undergoing treatment for breast cancer. She said she was sorry and that her sister had it also. I didn't really want to know how it turned out because I was so terrified then but I asked her how her sister was doing. She looked at me and said she had passed away. My heart sank and I told her how sorry I was. She said that the cancer had not taken her but she had gotten in an auto accident on her way to a chemo treatment and died. Doesn't that just say it all? Who knows about anything? I love checking out the comments on this website even though I still am trying to figure the ins and outs of it. Thanks for your insight.

Thanks for posting. That recount is inspiring beyond imagination.