It’s so Important to Get a Second Opinion!
This is an email sent to me by Kaye, an on-line friend:
Hi Debbie:
I was always a good person and got my yearly mammogram. Unfortunately, my previous doctor, according to her own hand written notes was “monitoring” (for 3 years) a lump in my right breast which she “thought” was benign. She never told me. I moved quite a distance and switched doctors, which I believe saved my life.
My new doctor wanted a mammogram, no problem, I’m thinking. She called me up the next day and told me to get in her office immediately. I had stage 2B breast cancer with 2 positive lymph nodes. She and I checked my breast and we couldn’t feel the one in the breast (I have lumpy breasts). But, the one in my armpit was very low down on my side, and about the size of a cherry. I was completely shocked. I would NEVER have given myself a breast exam that far down my side. The lump was about where the bottom of a woman’s bra would hit. Needless to say, I feel fortunate that I switched doctors, that my new doctor wanted a digital baseline mamo for her file and that I was only stage 2B. I’m done with chemo and radiation and am sporting my 1 inch crewcut now. 
ANYTHING you can do to encourage breast self exam is CRITICAL. However, I feel it also import to remind women not to just check the main underarm area, but her entire SIDE. This is NOT stated in Medical guidelines; I feel it should be. Also, Patients need to demand to see the radiologists reports and not take their doctors word for anything.
Thank you for your prayers, Debbie. I had a great surgeon, great oncologist, great radiation team. I feel blessed and cancer has taught me a lot - I’m a better person for it.
I would have never known any of this had my new doctor not asked for my previous mamos with the radiology reports. I drove and picked them up and sat in my car, absolutely SHOCKED reading them. “mass in right breast, probably benign” “continue to monitor” they did this every year since 2003 and all I got was the postcard in the mail that said my mamo was completely clear…’No sign of abnormality.” Thank God I saved the postcards - my attorney loved that!
My new doctor was LIVID. I learned a great lesson to be a PRO-ACTIVE PATIENT. I ask questions, ask for copies of reports and I’ve surrounded myself with aggressive doctors now. My gynecologist is in the loop with my breast cancer and now she has me come in every 3 months to check for cervical cancer - taking Tamoxifen can cause problems. Plus, my internist (the one who asked for the mammogram) checks me for diabetes, thyroid issues, etc.
I’m blessed to have a great employer and great insurance. So many women in this country DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO GREAT INSURANCE. Is their life any less important than mine? I think NOT! Oh, gee, don’t get me started. I could totally become a healthcare advocate for the poor and non-insured.
I live life by this thought: ” What do you call a man or woman who graduated LAST in their medical school class? Doctor. ” Kaye