Posted 4/12/2011 1:29 AM (GMT 0)
I didn't get the radiologist report for last Thursday's Mammo but I did get last years results. It seems I have breasts that are hetereogeneously dense(51%-75% fibroglandular) They also added that this may lower the sensitivity of the mammography.
I am sort of angry right now. I've been doing a lot research today on dense breasts and they say that just having it will increase your chances of BC. I'm angry because it seems that people that do testing for BC are not that informed about the OTHER Birad rating chart.The one for breast density, It seems that there are 4 ratings for it and I fall into #3 which is a MODERATE DECREASE IN SENSITIVITY. It doesn't say it MIGHT decrease it so where do they get that from at the radiology place that did it. A woman with dense breast tissue cannot soley rely on a mammogram to detect cancer and they suggest an ultrasound. It's scary reading the statistics about this yet I'm getting the feeling that it's treated as a non issue by those who haven't educated themselves about it-your healthcare providers.
In my case I went for my yearly screening three weeks ago this Thursday. I am fed up with inadequate breast exams that these providers perform. You are lucky if it takes more than 30 seconds for the whole exam. That is why I think this lump was missed. Anyway, I finally decided to do my exams from now on once a month and I am glad I did because I discovered this lump on Saturday night which was after the mammogram on last Thursday. I called this morning and they said it was catagory 1 yet the nurse scheduled me for an appointment next Monday for a NP to examine me. This NP is one I am not too happy with either. She also did the half-a ssed BA too and was supposed to refer me to a Gyno there for my endless period which she never did. When I told the nurse that the first one did a crappy BA she said she would pass it along to the one I am seeing next week.
I plan on going to my trip prepared. I go to the local CHC because I have no insurance and have very little good to say about most of the providers I have seen. I went for 2 years with bone spurs on my big toes because they kept insisting it was high arches. I finally had surgery to remove them last year. I also had one provider make a snarky comment about my period last year when it wouldn't stop after 7 weeks. She said, well, if it's any consolation your period will eventually end. I received more compassion from the MALE Gyno who performed my endometrial ablation. He said, but why suffer if you don't have too? I wish I could see him but since I have to be enrolled in the Women's Wellness campaign here in colorado for medicaid to pay for cervical or breast cancer treatment I have to see the NP that are doing the exams.
I am seriously thinking of filing a complaint with the State medical board if is is cancer(which I pray it isn't) IMO this is medical negligance. If you are a provider who treats women for things like this you MUST be up on the latest research and recommendations.