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Shirley · 01-14-2014, 05:51 PM

Hello all,

My onc and I discussed me having another mammogram. I had a unilateral (right side) mastectomy in late August and have an expander in place right now. When I called for the appointment they told me he ordered a diagnostic bilateral mammo, which puzzled both the scheduler and myself because how would they do that with an expander in place (it's hard as a rock), and also is it even necessary. I can understand doing the one remaining breast but I'm not understanding why the fake side.

But the thing I'm curious about is why a diagnostic on the "good" side instead of a screening test. I was told that I'd have to pay my deductible for a diagnostic test but not for a screening test.

I suppose a more involved diagnostic test would give me greater peace of mind because it is presumably more thorough. I just thought that the distinction between the diagnostic vs screening was odd. Shouldn't they all be "thorough"? BTW, this place uses the new 3D mammography.

Thoughts on this, anyone?

01-14-2014, 05:51 PM	#1
Shirley Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Lakewood, WA Posts: 56	Screening vs Diagnostic Mammography Hello all, My onc and I discussed me having another mammogram. I had a unilateral (right side) mastectomy in late August and have an expander in place right now. When I called for the appointment they told me he ordered a diagnostic bilateral mammo, which puzzled both the scheduler and myself because how would they do that with an expander in place (it's hard as a rock), and also is it even necessary. I can understand doing the one remaining breast but I'm not understanding why the fake side. But the thing I'm curious about is why a diagnostic on the "good" side instead of a screening test. I was told that I'd have to pay my deductible for a diagnostic test but not for a screening test. I suppose a more involved diagnostic test would give me greater peace of mind because it is presumably more thorough. I just thought that the distinction between the diagnostic vs screening was odd. Shouldn't they all be "thorough"? BTW, this place uses the new 3D mammography. Thoughts on this, anyone? __________________ Age 54 at dx (April '13) Stage 2b, grade 3 ER+ PR+ HER+, 9 cm tumor one breast and <0.5 cm in sentinal node BRCA1 and 2 negative Neoadjuvant TCH chemo started 5-15-13 (4 rounds, 3 weeks apart) Unilateral Mx w/expander 8-22-13 (right side) 5/5 nodes Neg clear margins but close. Tumor at removal down to 2.2 cm. Radiation 6 wks starting 10-17-13. Herceptin every 3 weeks until 4-23-14 DIEP/Mastopexy 10-8-14, U of WA