HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - ammunition vs "but breast mris may have too many false positives"

Rich66 · 02-02-2011, 09:10 PM

ultimatAlthough typically not done, I wish ramifications of false positives were discussed relative to false negatives..I believe up to 30% in mammos by some measures. Whicely h issue suffers the patient more "anxiety"? How many here have had those only to delay treatment? Too many. And yes...insurance coverage is likely a larger player in this than sometimes suggested. A couple years before mom's recurrence (outside the breast), I pressed for an MRI which led to much discussion and even a meeting with the head of radiology at an NCI facility. At some point I asked him if there was any medical reason to not pursue it, he said NO. We had been asking them to go ahead with it, even agreeing to pay out of pocket if not covered. Still..there was concern and a meeting was held. After all the talk, it was done and Medicare covered it. The plan from then on was to alternate between mammo and MRI.
Of course, in hindsight, should have been asking for a PET/CT.

02-02-2011, 09:10 PM	#6
Rich66 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: South East Wisconsin Posts: 3,431	Re: ammunition vs "but breast mris may have too many false positives" ultimatAlthough typically not done, I wish ramifications of false positives were discussed relative to false negatives..I believe up to 30% in mammos by some measures. Whicely h issue suffers the patient more "anxiety"? How many here have had those only to delay treatment? Too many. And yes...insurance coverage is likely a larger player in this than sometimes suggested. A couple years before mom's recurrence (outside the breast), I pressed for an MRI which led to much discussion and even a meeting with the head of radiology at an NCI facility. At some point I asked him if there was any medical reason to not pursue it, he said NO. We had been asking them to go ahead with it, even agreeing to pay out of pocket if not covered. Still..there was concern and a meeting was held. After all the talk, it was done and Medicare covered it. The plan from then on was to alternate between mammo and MRI. Of course, in hindsight, should have been asking for a PET/CT. __________________ Mom's treatment history (link)