HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Question about strategy for more adequate testing with minimal expense

AlaskaAngel · 08-13-2012, 10:15 AM

I don't want to divert the interesting discussion under Lani's post about the real world testing, but I have a similar question about present methods of testing.

Wouldn't it make better practical sense to routinely administer at least a CA 15-3 or a CA 25.29 (even though not wholly reliable) to those with particularly dense breasts whose mammogram and ultrasound are inconclusive, rather than having them "come back in 6 months" for a repeat mammo/ultrasound?

Whenever anyone I know has an inconclusive result like that, especially if they have other risk factors, I advise them to push their PCP to provide permission for that to be done.

-From this patient, whose insane original "breast cancer specialist" and fully qualified surgeon only did a biopsy after three successive BIRADs 4's, each several months apart, even though I had a huge family history of bc.

08-13-2012, 10:15 AM	#1
AlaskaAngel Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Alaska Posts: 2,018	Question about strategy for more adequate testing with minimal expense I don't want to divert the interesting discussion under Lani's post about the real world testing, but I have a similar question about present methods of testing. Wouldn't it make better practical sense to routinely administer at least a CA 15-3 or a CA 25.29 (even though not wholly reliable) to those with particularly dense breasts whose mammogram and ultrasound are inconclusive, rather than having them "come back in 6 months" for a repeat mammo/ultrasound? Whenever anyone I know has an inconclusive result like that, especially if they have other risk factors, I advise them to push their PCP to provide permission for that to be done. -From this patient, whose insane original "breast cancer specialist" and fully qualified surgeon only did a biopsy after three successive BIRADs 4's, each several months apart, even though I had a huge family history of bc.