Earlier this year I blogged about my dense breast tissue -- I naturally have bumps and lumps that are non-distinguishable on self examinations or mammograms. In fact, mammograms don't pick up tumors on such breasts that make up 30% of the female population. Unfortunately when tumors are discovered it is late and even too late.
I was fortunate that the technician who performed my mammogram was privy to the then upcoming law which splashed the news in the fall. By the time I had my mammogram with her in January 2, 2013 she was aware that the routine mammograms I had been receiving over the years were missing hidden tumors. The only way to visualize such tumors is with a next stage, high intensity mammogram plus ultrasound. This technician that I had on January 2 dragged the radiologist out of his office to see my mammogram and suggest these better screening techniques. If it were not for my friend who needed a mammogram to which I tagged along AND this astute and gift-of-a-technician I would not be here. My grade cancer was a 9/9 level of aggressive and invasive. This means that within 30 days my cells divide and invade other tissue. By the time I'd schedule another routine mammogram a year or two later my cancer would have taken over other parts of my body and my chances for survival would not have looked good.
I write this in hopes of steering all women with dense breast tissue regardless of age or recent exams toward the newest protocol and law: your breasts will not benefit from self examination or mammogram only. You need the second level mammogram plus ultrasound which is now law in California effective this month -- April 1, 2013. Any doctor who tells you otherwise is breaking the law. This is the case whether you are 20, 30, 40; the old advice of waiting til 40 is gone if you are among the 30% female population with lumpy bumpy breasts. Schedule your appointment. Your life depends on it.
No comments:
Post a Comment