|
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
|
Threaded Mode