More Information About Breast Cancer, Self-Examination

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In my last posting on breast cancer self examination I stated that a mammogram is painful, this is part of a response I received to that post.

In the recent breast exam post, it states that mammograms are painful. This is not necessarily true. A broken leg is painful. A mammogram can be uncomfortable but if rarely painful. I think statements like these only serve to cause women NOT to have this test as opposed to seeking it out. There is no intention of putting any woman off from taking the mammogram test by saying it is painful. In fact I did say that they should follow up on these appointments.

I have had three mammogram tests myself and the first two I did find painful, the last one was not too bad so maybe it depends on the person who is doing the test. That is not an actual statement it is my own thoughts.

Most women are not afraid of a bit of pain especially when it is for such an important reason so they are not likely to be put off by it.

You say a broken leg is painful, yes that is true I have a broken leg at the moment that required surgery so I know all about that but the pain from a broken leg is over a longer period so it is no comparison. A mammogram is fleeting and over in a matter of minutes.

A further part of the response; Also, the statement that CT imaging is “better” might lead women to think that they should do this instead of a mammogram. Your article does not address the fact that this test is extremely expensive, not readily available across the nation, and unless there is documentation that it is medically necessary (and often not even then) most insurance companies won’t cover it. It doesn’t address the increase radiation that a woman is exposed to via CT -v- mammogram.

Here is the latter part of my posting:  CT imaging is at present under going further tests and even when available may prove too expensive for insurance companies to agree to its use.

As most people in The US and countries abroad rely on insurance companies to cover their health costs they are not likely to pay the high costs themselves, and as explained unless it was thought absolutely necessary the insurance companies would probably not pay out the expensive cost of CT imaging.

Further part of the response; It doesn’t address the increase radiation that a woman is exposed to via CT -v- mammogram. Also, a CT image can NOT show if a “spot” is malignant or benign. Only a biopsy can show this. A CT scan can give increased radiation, but this scan gives approximately the same as a mammogram so is no different in that respect.

I do apologize for stating that it shows if a spot is malignant or benign you are perfectly correct it does require a biopsy to prove that, it was a misstatement.

Further part of the response; This article does nothing to guide a woman. It gives no information on how to learn to do a breast exam, no information on when it should be done, how often, etc. Aside from the fact that this article is short on fact and long on fluff, this particular article not only gives false information, if gives women false hope and that is truly dangerous.

I think that this reader has jumped in too soon my post is just the first one and is to be continued, in fact if this reader would like to contribute to my posts I would be pleased to hear from her. The response was sent to my editor and not placed on my posting page but I thought others might be interested to read the comments made.