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Season 3 Episode 11 – Thermography vs. Mammography
Thermography vs. Mammography: How they compare and contrast and what you need to know about each regarding early detection of breast cancer.
Thermography Transcription
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Welcome to Take Good Care
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an endeavor of Peachtree City
Obstetric and Gynecology.
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Our aim and mission is to serve
as a source of vital information
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and discussion for women of all ages,
races and walks in life.
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I’m Dr. Mironda Williams.
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I’m Dr.
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Deanna Guthrie, and I am Dr. Karen Greene.
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Welcome to our show.
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For nearly 40 years now,
the month of October
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has been designated
for breast cancer awareness.
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And so all over the country,
there will be programs and initiatives
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really hoping to educate
and encourage women, as well as men
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to be aware of breast cancer strategies,
how to
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look out for yourself,
your family members and your loved ones.
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And for years
now, my partners and I have talked
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with patients about various breast
cancer screening modalities
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and what we feel is the best
one for early detection.
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And over the years, thermography has
really become an option that some women
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would rather utilize because
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of their thinking
that it may be less invasive,
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not as uncomfortable, decrease
in decrease in radiation exposure.
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So we thought that
this would be a good time for us to give
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a little discussion on thermography,
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thermography versus mammography,
and to talk about
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what the differences are with them
and why.
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The American College of Obstetrics
and Gynecology still
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favors mammography
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as the screening standard
for breast health and breast cancer.
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So on today’s show,
we’re going to break that down and offer
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some information that we hope
will be good for you to utilize.
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As you have,
you make your own informed decisions
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about what you would like to do
going forward for your own health care.
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And thermography,
which is also called thermal
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imaging, uses a special camera
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to measure the temperature of the skin
on the breast surface.
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It is a noninvasive test
that involves no radiation.
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Thermography is based on two ideas
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because cancer cells are growing
and multiplying very fast.
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The theory is that blood flow
and metabolism would be higher in an area
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where a cancerous tumor may be developing
as blood flow and metabolism
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increase, the skin temperature goes up
is the theory.
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Mammography or rather thermography.
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Thermography
has been available for several decades,
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but there is no evidence to show
that it is a good screening tool
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to detect breast cancer early.
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And I think that’s the fact
that we really want to drive
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home to individuals
who are trying to determine
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what they want to do for breast cancer
screening.
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Again,
a good screening test for any disease
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is should be designed
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so that it detects early disease changes
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when things can be most treatable.
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So again, thermography,
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though
it has been around for several decades,
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there has been no evidence that shows
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that it is able, as a screening tool
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to detect brand breast cancer early.
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And again, there was
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a recent article
that was published by M.D.
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Anderson that looked at mammography
versus thermography.
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And I’m just going to point out
some of those some of that information.
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And again, regular screening
mammogram is used to detect
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breast cancer early when it is easiest
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to treat successfully.
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Patients at M.D.
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Anderson in the Houston location
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sometimes are given information about
the differences between these two tests.
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But it is their recommendation,
and the only thing
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they offer
as a screening test for mammography
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I’m sorry, is a screening test
for breast cancer to be mammography.
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Sometimes, depending on a woman’s
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study, they may end up getting a 3D
mammogram or Thomas synthesis.
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And again, now Dr.
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Guthrie is going to talk about
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mammography in particular and talk
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and give us information about why
it is such a good screening tool.
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Because, again, what we’re trying
to emphasize during the month of October
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is breast cancer awareness
and screening through mammography.
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Dr. Guthrie, thank you. Dr. Williams.
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So as Dr.
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Williams mentioned before,
a screening test is some is a test
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that you do when you’re not suspecting
any disease, whatever you’re looking for.
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But it is a good test that can,
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she said, pick up early changes
that are most treatable.
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So a mammogram, it’s a low dose
stress the ward low dose
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X-ray picture of the breasts that aids in
detection of breast diseases or lesions.
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Not everything in the
breast is going to be cancer.
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So there are things like calcifications.
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You can have cysts.
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You can have little firm tumors
that are not cancerous but benign.
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Just to kind of describe the process
for women who have not had a mammogram,
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your you disrobe from the waist up and you
have a gown on that opens in the front.
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And the mammography
her will place your breasts on a platform.
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And then another plate comes down slowly
to compress your breast
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because compressing
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the breast tissue gives a better picture
so they can see lesions.
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There’s a misconception that they just
slam your breasts into something.
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They’ve had mammograms.
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That’s about what happens
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during a mammogram.
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Also, you should not wear any deodorant.
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And the reason for that is, is
that deodorants have metallic substances
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in them.
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And aluminum
is the most common metal in it.
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And when you do a mammogram,
if any of it gets anywhere on your breast,
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the metal in the in
the deodorant will pick up
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as if you have calcifications
in your breast,
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which then confuses the issue,
which then makes them
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have to do more workup
when there’s really nothing wrong.
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So that’s why
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they will ask you to remove any deodorant
before you have a mammogram done.
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When you do a mammogram, the screening.
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So there are two types of mammograms.
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There’s a screening mammogram.
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That’s the test that’s done.
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Again, you’re just coming in.
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Nothing is suspected.
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And when you do a screening mammogram,
they take two.
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Each breast gets two images
from different angles.
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And that’s the regular screening
mammogram.
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Now, if anything is seen
on that screening mammogram,
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then you elevate up to
what’s called a diagnostic mammogram.
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And now that area of concern,
they’re going to concentrate
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and take more views of that area.
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So a lot of women will come in
for the exam thinking,
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oh, it’s time for my yearly. I’m
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going to tell them that I felt something
and just get my regular mammogram.
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That will not be the case
if an issue is pointed out that it is.
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It behooves
us to then investigate that area.
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So you cannot have a screening mammogram
for an identified problem.
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Whether or not you feel something
or if something is seen, you do need
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and more elevated tests to to find out
and to better
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analyze the area.
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Dr. Williams
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also mentioned
technology is getting better and better.
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When we first had mammograms,
we actually like took pictures
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like you used to do on film, like
you used to have your Polaroid camera.
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So whenever you had a mammogram done,
they stored all your images on film
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and it was very bulky.
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You had to find a place to store them
and things like that.
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But as technology has developed,
we now have digital mammography.
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The mammogram is performed the same way.
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It has nothing to do with
how the mammogram is performed.
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So you still come in, you still get
your breast compressed and pictures taken,
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but now we can manipulate
the pictures to better
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diagnose
problems so they can enhance the picture.
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If there’s a spot
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that looks kind of shadowy, they can,
just like you could do on your iPhone,
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you can change the picture
so you can see it better.
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You can make it lighter in the background
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so that they can actually do better
as far as diagnosing any lesion.
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So it’s not changing
how a mammogram is done.
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It’s changing how the images are developed
and they can be stored as data.
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So again, much less bulk.
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So there are no films to carry around.
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You used to have to go get your films
and carried around.
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Now digital film,
digital images can be sent electronically
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so you don’t have to go
pick up your films.
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And then an added
technology is now 3D mammogram that Dr.
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Williams mentioned as tumor synthesis.
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And so they’ll take both 2D,
which is regular pictures
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and 3D images of your breasts.
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Again, just a better way of seeing
and delineating any lesions
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there for classes to your
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mammogram or forecast to the results
when you have your mammogram done.
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If you do your mammogram
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and it’s and it’s normal,
it’ll read out as a as as a code.
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I’m going to just use the word code,
code one, and that just means everything.
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That’s fine.
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You come back in the year,
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there’s a code two that’s also normal.
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They may see some
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fiber cystic changes that are all benign,
but again, everything is normal.
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You come back in the year
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if you do have to have a diagnostic
mammogram, if they look at that area
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and they think it’s probably normal,
they will say that.
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But they’ll say just in case,
let’s look again in six months
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to make sure nothing has changed.
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If there was a cyst,
it hasn’t gotten any larger.
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And so you’ll get a code of code three
and it says probably benign.
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And you need a short follow up.
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When you have that follow up,
if everything looks the same and looks
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normal,
you’ll go back to a class one or two
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where you just have
your mammograms done every year,
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and then there’s class
four where something does look suspicious.
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And then they do recommend intervention,
whether that be a biopsy
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or a follow up at the surgeon
for for better care.
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So that’s kind of like the breakdown
of getting your mammograms every year.
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And before Dr.
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GREENE goes into a discussion,
we found an article
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about the FDA in thermography
versus mammography.
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The other thing that I wanted to point out
is that there are very stringent
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standards for the mammogram machine. Yes.
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As well as how mammograms are done.
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And for our mammography curves,
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we have mammography on site
at our Peachtree City Office location.
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And Dr.
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Guthrie is a physician that helps oversee
the management of our imaging area
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where we have mammography
and pelvic ultrasound available.
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And we can confirm
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that it is a very involved,
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tedious, tedious and stringent process
to be certified
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their quality standards
that have to be met every week
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so that we make sure that the machine
is functioning properly,
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that the images are generated properly,
so that the radiologist
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who is reading these images is able
to see what they need to see.
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Because, again, we’re going to keep
keep hammering this point home to you
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that the whole point of this discussion
is that
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we’re talking about screening tests.
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We want to find something before
it is evident,
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because that is when we can treat
for cure.
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Thermography
does not detect cancer in early stages.
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It does not
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also, there are not any standards
for quality or effectiveness
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that have been determined
that can be reproduced.
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Time after time after time.
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Dr. Greene is going to go a long way
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just as a doctor, whereas he’s talked
about, in fact, our facility.
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We just passed our. Yes.
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So it’s like you said,
they’re very stringent codes
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and things that you do every week. You
have to check your machines every week.
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There are things that you do every year.
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And then there’s a big one
that’s every three years.
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And just to let you know how detailed it
is, they send out a notice
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eight months in advance
because you have to start taking pictures.
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You have to show all along the way in that
6 to 8 month period of time
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that your pictures are all consistent.
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You have to show that
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00:13:18,798 –> 00:13:21,717
you are keeping up with maintenance.
230
00:13:22,067 –> 00:13:24,620
You have to show
that the level of radiation
231
00:13:25,554 –> 00:13:28,557
that that’s there is not too much,
you know.
232
00:13:29,191 –> 00:13:31,710
So it is a very, very stringent process.
233
00:13:32,611 –> 00:13:33,179
And so if
234
00:13:33,179 –> 00:13:36,749
thermography does not have any of that,
there is no from each facility.
235
00:13:36,749 –> 00:13:41,270
Facility, you do not know the quality
of testing that you’re getting done.
236
00:13:41,754 –> 00:13:44,640
Dr.. Greene And so that’s that’s
really the bottom line.
237
00:13:45,174 –> 00:13:48,477
Of course, obviously,
we’re supportive of of mammogram, but
238
00:13:48,594 –> 00:13:51,347
it’s not just the fact that we have one in
our office
239
00:13:51,597 –> 00:13:54,149
is the fact that we know
that it’s regulated.
240
00:13:54,567 –> 00:13:56,902
We know it’s regulated,
we know it passes tests.
241
00:13:56,902 –> 00:13:58,554
We know that it’s going to do
the best care
242
00:13:58,554 –> 00:14:02,308
for our patients
by detecting early disease.
243
00:14:02,641 –> 00:14:06,061
I cannot say that enough
that when you detect the disease early,
244
00:14:06,295 –> 00:14:08,180
it’s a greater risk of cure.
245
00:14:08,180 –> 00:14:10,349
One in eight
women will develop breast cancer.
246
00:14:10,499 –> 00:14:11,934
That number hasn’t changed.
247
00:14:11,934 –> 00:14:14,119
No matter what we do,
that’s going to happen
248
00:14:14,119 –> 00:14:16,639
and most of these women
are going to have a family history.
249
00:14:16,939 –> 00:14:20,726
And so saying that, will my breast feel
fine and I don’t have any family history.
250
00:14:20,960 –> 00:14:23,245
One in eight women develop breast cancer.
251
00:14:23,245 –> 00:14:24,563
So if you want to do something
252
00:14:24,563 –> 00:14:28,701
that’s going to give you the most chance
of surviving potentially a disease
253
00:14:28,968 –> 00:14:31,637
that you didn’t realize you have,
you want to do the best tests.
254
00:14:31,921 –> 00:14:35,424
And so the FDA, of course, has
to get involved when it comes to things
255
00:14:35,424 –> 00:14:36,709
that may be misleading.
256
00:14:37,910 –> 00:14:39,378
As we said before,
257
00:14:39,378 –> 00:14:42,498
mammogram identifies
tissue types with different densities.
258
00:14:42,932 –> 00:14:46,852
Thermography shows patterns of heat on
or near the surface of the body.
259
00:14:47,369 –> 00:14:51,123
There is no regulation
of how these machines are detecting
260
00:14:51,123 –> 00:14:52,608
these patterns of heat.
261
00:14:52,608 –> 00:14:56,462
And does a pattern of heat develop
when there’s an early stage disease?
262
00:14:56,462 –> 00:14:59,181
There is no scientific evidence
that that is the case.
263
00:14:59,632 –> 00:15:03,052
And so the FDA in this particular article
wanted to remind us that
264
00:15:03,352 –> 00:15:07,489
mammogram, the low dose
x ray imaging of the best of the breast
265
00:15:07,706 –> 00:15:11,477
is still the most effective primary cancer
screening test.
266
00:15:11,777 –> 00:15:12,411
They’re not aware
267
00:15:12,411 –> 00:15:15,714
of any scientific evidence
to support the claims that thermography
268
00:15:15,714 –> 00:15:20,219
is a proven alternative to mammography.
269
00:15:20,219 –> 00:15:22,638
One of the greatest
the greatest dangers from mammography
270
00:15:22,638 –> 00:15:25,674
is that those people that opt
for that method think that,
271
00:15:26,792 –> 00:15:28,277
you know, mammogram might hurt.
272
00:15:28,277 –> 00:15:30,112
So let’s just take the heat.
273
00:15:30,112 –> 00:15:31,230
But they’re going to miss the chance
274
00:15:31,230 –> 00:15:35,034
of actually getting something early
on by looking at just color patterns.
275
00:15:35,034 –> 00:15:36,502
They actually show a picture
276
00:15:36,502 –> 00:15:38,871
on the particular article
of the difference between the two.
277
00:15:38,871 –> 00:15:40,639
So if you’re actually looking at,
you know,
278
00:15:40,639 –> 00:15:44,243
mammograms here and thermography is here,
the mammograms actually detecting,
279
00:15:44,360 –> 00:15:47,329
you know, this could be a calcification,
this could be assessed.
280
00:15:47,329 –> 00:15:50,099
This could be an actual palpable lesion.
281
00:15:50,282 –> 00:15:52,968
Thermography is just showing heat changes.
282
00:15:52,968 –> 00:15:55,971
And that’s part of the problem
that there’s really no standard.
283
00:15:56,221 –> 00:16:00,359
So when are mammography or when
the radiologist looks at a mammogram film,
284
00:16:00,893 –> 00:16:03,662
the digital film, they’re looking to see
what those changes are.
285
00:16:03,662 –> 00:16:06,832
They’re actually looking to see, okay,
this might be suspicious going
286
00:16:06,832 –> 00:16:10,019
whether or not it’s a
you know, a stage four.
287
00:16:10,252 –> 00:16:13,589
It might not be it might be something
that we can follow a code three,
288
00:16:13,856 –> 00:16:17,059
you know, but they actually have
regulatory standards.
289
00:16:17,059 –> 00:16:18,594
Thermo Graham doesn’t have that.
290
00:16:18,594 –> 00:16:21,797
And so one of the reasons that, you know,
the FDA is concerned
291
00:16:21,981 –> 00:16:24,800
is the fact that, you know,
people are being missed.
292
00:16:24,917 –> 00:16:27,086
They’re getting their thermo grams year
after year.
293
00:16:27,302 –> 00:16:29,838
And we have patients that come in and say,
well, I had a thermal gram.
294
00:16:30,289 –> 00:16:32,358
And so I have to tell them the same thing.
295
00:16:32,358 –> 00:16:33,926
Thermo Graham isn’t regulated.
296
00:16:33,926 –> 00:16:35,627
There’s no scientific evidence
297
00:16:36,862 –> 00:16:37,379
that the
298
00:16:37,379 –> 00:16:40,099
place that you go to may be different
from some other place.
299
00:16:40,382 –> 00:16:45,504
The FDA has even taken a stringent steps
to keep people from actually getting
300
00:16:45,504 –> 00:16:49,792
firmer grams by sending letters out
because they are a regulatory commission.
301
00:16:49,792 –> 00:16:52,678
It’s not like they can actually do
anything to stop them.
302
00:16:52,678 –> 00:16:55,280
All they can do
is let them know that this is not right.
303
00:16:55,531 –> 00:16:57,383
This is not something that we support.
304
00:16:57,383 –> 00:16:59,368
This is not detecting disease.
305
00:16:59,368 –> 00:17:02,604
Women seek thermography
because it’s painless.
306
00:17:02,905 –> 00:17:05,040
A mammogram isn’t that painless?
307
00:17:05,040 –> 00:17:07,009
It is uncomfortable.
308
00:17:07,009 –> 00:17:11,330
I think that uncomfortable is worth it
when it comes to detecting something
309
00:17:11,330 –> 00:17:12,381
early. Exactly.
310
00:17:12,381 –> 00:17:16,285
You know, and everyone thinks this
and it’s and it doesn’t take a long time.
311
00:17:16,285 –> 00:17:17,219
It really does.
312
00:17:17,219 –> 00:17:18,287
You go in, as Dr.
313
00:17:18,287 –> 00:17:20,489
Cathy said,
you have your breast compressed.
314
00:17:21,090 –> 00:17:23,575
Your breast is compressed,
but it doesn’t hurt.
315
00:17:23,942 –> 00:17:25,944
Some people think, well,
my breasts are big.
316
00:17:25,944 –> 00:17:27,446
How are they going to see anything?
317
00:17:27,446 –> 00:17:30,382
Because it’s a regulated machine
that actually can detect
318
00:17:30,382 –> 00:17:33,452
breast cancer in any size
breast, big or small.
319
00:17:33,752 –> 00:17:34,970
It doesn’t matter.
320
00:17:34,970 –> 00:17:37,790
The bottom line is talk
to your health care provider.
321
00:17:38,090 –> 00:17:40,642
Talk to your health care provider
about what your risks are.
322
00:17:40,943 –> 00:17:43,912
Talk to your health care provider
about what your concerns are.
323
00:17:44,096 –> 00:17:48,267
Because if it is a concern that I am doing
something that’s going to hurt me less
324
00:17:48,267 –> 00:17:49,952
and that’s why I don’t want to do it.
325
00:17:49,952 –> 00:17:53,972
If you asked the facts, if not us,
somebody else who’s going to recommend
326
00:17:54,173 –> 00:17:57,392
why a mammogram is better,
why you should have mammogram?
327
00:17:57,509 –> 00:17:57,926
The facts
328
00:17:57,926 –> 00:18:01,463
behind the data behind the mammogram
that we can actually go over with you
329
00:18:01,647 –> 00:18:05,868
so that you have a little more less
reservation about having the mammogram.
330
00:18:05,868 –> 00:18:07,369
Two points.
331
00:18:07,369 –> 00:18:10,706
And it’s not to say that you can’t have
a thermal thermal gram done.
332
00:18:11,156 –> 00:18:13,675
It’s just that it is not a stand alone
333
00:18:13,759 –> 00:18:16,945
test to detect breast cancer early.
334
00:18:17,162 –> 00:18:20,933
So for early disease,
that’s the point, again,
335
00:18:20,933 –> 00:18:24,269
that we want that
we want to make that some women like that.
336
00:18:24,319 –> 00:18:25,404
Dr. Green says, well, choose
337
00:18:25,404 –> 00:18:29,308
only to get it through thermography
and then feel that they can rely on that.
338
00:18:30,542 –> 00:18:31,794
There’s a statement, since it can be
339
00:18:31,794 –> 00:18:35,097
used as an adjunct, tells me that there’s
something abnormal on a mammogram.
340
00:18:35,297 –> 00:18:38,300
If you wanted to get a thermal gram
to see if that area does
341
00:18:38,300 –> 00:18:41,687
light up, you can use it that way,
but not as a standalone test.
342
00:18:41,820 –> 00:18:42,271
Exactly.
343
00:18:42,271 –> 00:18:47,359
Also, another concern women
have is about radiation.
344
00:18:47,359 –> 00:18:53,248
So mammograms have slightly more radiation
than a regular chest X-ray.
345
00:18:53,665 –> 00:18:54,650
But I read an article
346
00:18:54,650 –> 00:18:58,470
it says, but it’s less than the radon
that you are exposed to in your home.
347
00:18:58,554 –> 00:18:59,154
Right.
348
00:18:59,304 –> 00:19:01,557
So so that’s another concern about women
349
00:19:01,940 –> 00:19:05,277
that so you have radiation all around you
every day.
350
00:19:05,277 –> 00:19:08,514
It’s a it’s a constant just because
you’re getting it right at that one time.
351
00:19:08,931 –> 00:19:12,467
But it is less than the overall radiation
that you exposed to at your home.
352
00:19:12,684 –> 00:19:14,419
They also compared it to
353
00:19:15,771 –> 00:19:16,522
everybody
354
00:19:16,522 –> 00:19:19,224
is exposed to they said about three.
355
00:19:19,525 –> 00:19:21,326
There’s a there’s a unit of measurement.
356
00:19:21,326 –> 00:19:25,013
It’s called a milli
let’s hang on me as a milli.
357
00:19:25,797 –> 00:19:30,385
But millisieverts that’s the that’s the
358
00:19:31,737 –> 00:19:33,989
that the unit of radiation
359
00:19:34,406 –> 00:19:38,093
a mammogram is point
four the average exposure
360
00:19:38,093 –> 00:19:42,381
for a year for the average US
citizen is three of these units.
361
00:19:42,865 –> 00:19:47,352
So they’re saying they’re comparing it
to that, getting a mammogram done is
362
00:19:47,352 –> 00:19:51,123
it is like is if it’s like seven weeks
worth of radiation
363
00:19:51,123 –> 00:19:55,043
but you get one time and that’s it
and then it’s still less than what you’re
364
00:19:55,043 –> 00:19:56,929
being exposed to at your home.
365
00:19:56,929 –> 00:19:58,881
So it’s you’re not getting measured.
366
00:19:58,881 –> 00:20:02,634
You’re not going to start glowing
in the dark when you get a mammogram then.
367
00:20:02,668 –> 00:20:03,318
Right.
368
00:20:03,452 –> 00:20:04,019
And the reason
369
00:20:04,019 –> 00:20:07,823
we really wanted to bring this out
and talk about this in detail is, again,
370
00:20:08,240 –> 00:20:12,711
I think you all know who listen to us in
previous seasons or who are our patients.
371
00:20:13,011 –> 00:20:15,564
We are heavy
proponents of patient education
372
00:20:15,864 –> 00:20:19,585
and giving you information
so that you can make an informed decision.
373
00:20:20,185 –> 00:20:22,037
We’re not here to tell you what to do.
374
00:20:22,037 –> 00:20:25,107
We’re just here to provide you
with the information that we feel
375
00:20:25,340 –> 00:20:28,710
is grounded in science
and fact and reproducibility.
376
00:20:29,061 –> 00:20:31,530
And so that is why we wanted to highlight
377
00:20:31,980 –> 00:20:36,201
the issue as it relates to thermography
versus mammography.
378
00:20:36,451 –> 00:20:39,621
Again, as the article
and the representatives of M.D.
379
00:20:39,655 –> 00:20:44,276
Anderson mentioned, even if a patient
comes in with an abnormal, abnormal
380
00:20:45,060 –> 00:20:48,063
therm exam report,
then they have to get a mammogram
381
00:20:48,063 –> 00:20:52,134
because you cannot base
any treatment decisions
382
00:20:52,351 –> 00:20:56,538
or anything based on the thermal gram
because it is not a regulated
383
00:20:56,755 –> 00:21:00,742
standard of care
for the detection of early disease
384
00:21:00,959 –> 00:21:05,881
or for following any disease processes
once they have been managed and treated.
385
00:21:06,231 –> 00:21:10,585
So this is to provide the information
so that you can make an informed decision.
386
00:21:10,886 –> 00:21:15,140
It that mammograms are safe, the amount
of radiation that you’re exposed to
387
00:21:15,140 –> 00:21:20,762
is minuscule in comparison to other things
that we’re exposed to every day.
388
00:21:21,063 –> 00:21:23,732
Mammograms may be uncomfortable,
but as Dr.
389
00:21:23,732 –> 00:21:28,287
GREENE mentioned, to be uncomfortable
for a few seconds, getting a mammogram,
390
00:21:28,287 –> 00:21:30,439
that will help me to detect anything early
391
00:21:30,622 –> 00:21:32,941
that I can
then get treatment for for cure.
392
00:21:33,442 –> 00:21:36,745
I’m okay with that,
as opposed to having to deal with
393
00:21:36,979 –> 00:21:41,516
potentially a lifetime of disruption
in my lifestyle
394
00:21:41,717 –> 00:21:45,687
or life span
because of undetected disease.
395
00:21:45,921 –> 00:21:48,924
Again, we’re all women,
we’re all of mammogram age.
396
00:21:49,191 –> 00:21:51,026
And so we’ve had mammograms.
397
00:21:51,026 –> 00:21:54,079
And so we understand that there may be
some discomfort and some habits
398
00:21:54,112 –> 00:21:59,901
and some hesitancy, but this is something
that we also do on a regular basis.
399
00:22:00,302 –> 00:22:03,772
I’ve had mammograms every year
since I turned 40.
400
00:22:03,772 –> 00:22:06,391
I’ve never had an abnormal mammogram,
thank goodness.
401
00:22:06,658 –> 00:22:09,678
I don’t know if my partners
want to talk about you know, we understand
402
00:22:09,678 –> 00:22:12,481
that, you know, having a test
can be anxiety provoking.
403
00:22:12,714 –> 00:22:16,318
And if you get that call back to say,
well, we see something, we think we
404
00:22:16,318 –> 00:22:20,539
need to give some additional studies
that can cause you some anxiety.
405
00:22:20,672 –> 00:22:23,091
Even as a physician,
even as a health care provider.
406
00:22:23,358 –> 00:22:25,610
But that’s the point we’re trying to find.
407
00:22:25,610 –> 00:22:28,680
If there is anything there
that needs to be addressed,
408
00:22:29,398 –> 00:22:31,900
find it early
so that it can be taken care of.
409
00:22:31,917 –> 00:22:35,487
Do you all want to talk
about your experiences in having to?
410
00:22:36,171 –> 00:22:38,357
Well,
I got a call back on my last mammogram.
411
00:22:39,558 –> 00:22:40,225
And of course.
412
00:22:40,225 –> 00:22:41,877
Yes, you’re you’re nervous.
413
00:22:41,877 –> 00:22:43,979
You’re not sure.
Is there something really there?
414
00:22:44,363 –> 00:22:46,882
But you have to keep in mind that
415
00:22:47,482 –> 00:22:50,452
that’s
that was the reason for doing the test.
416
00:22:50,602 –> 00:22:53,372
I have people who say, well,
they said my mammogram was abnormal.
417
00:22:53,372 –> 00:22:55,440
And then when they did everything,
everything turned out fine.
418
00:22:56,391 –> 00:22:58,527
That’s that’s what we want. Yes.
419
00:22:58,827 –> 00:23:01,997
So that it’s not
that the mammogram was wrong.
420
00:23:01,997 –> 00:23:05,784
It’s just that if there was something
there, they would have found it early
421
00:23:05,784 –> 00:23:06,752
to take care of it.
422
00:23:06,752 –> 00:23:08,520
So that’s what you have to keep
in the back of your mind.
423
00:23:08,520 –> 00:23:11,690
And that’s what I kept telling myself,
right, that this is the whole reason
424
00:23:11,690 –> 00:23:14,843
that they if there is something there,
then I want to know
425
00:23:15,077 –> 00:23:16,945
and I want to take care of it. Right.
426
00:23:16,945 –> 00:23:20,899
So yeah, we get nervous, we’re human and
I want to take care of it early, right?
427
00:23:20,899 –> 00:23:23,001
I probably get in about three callbacks.
428
00:23:23,218 –> 00:23:26,938
It’s like every other year,
every other breast, and a lot of reasons
429
00:23:26,938 –> 00:23:31,143
that you get callbacks or something is
different is because of breast densities.
430
00:23:31,376 –> 00:23:34,312
Younger women have really dense breasts
and some women have really, really,
431
00:23:34,312 –> 00:23:35,180
really dense breasts.
432
00:23:35,180 –> 00:23:37,849
So even with the compression,
they see something.
433
00:23:37,849 –> 00:23:41,603
They’re not really sure what it is
they want to do a as we say, a, you know,
434
00:23:41,603 –> 00:23:44,906
highlighted view of one particular area
to see what that is.
435
00:23:45,140 –> 00:23:48,176
So first call back, you know,
it was probably ten years ago
436
00:23:48,176 –> 00:23:52,130
and I was like, oh my God, you know, and
I have a family history of breast cancer.
437
00:23:52,130 –> 00:23:54,483
So of course my mind went there.
So I get it.
438
00:23:54,716 –> 00:23:55,217
I get it.
439
00:23:55,217 –> 00:23:58,170
My mom went there and I had already
planned my double mastectomy.
440
00:23:59,154 –> 00:23:59,871
And I remember not
441
00:23:59,871 –> 00:24:03,842
telling my husband that I had to call back
because he would go into overdrive.
442
00:24:03,842 –> 00:24:04,493
And so I was like, I’m
443
00:24:04,493 –> 00:24:08,597
just going to go get my additional study
and everything’s going to be okay.
444
00:24:08,730 –> 00:24:10,081
Yeah, talk myself off the ledge.
445
00:24:10,081 –> 00:24:12,000
And it was. It really was.
446
00:24:12,000 –> 00:24:14,119
And so the next year, mammogram was fine.
447
00:24:14,119 –> 00:24:17,756
The year after that got a callback
and I was like, okay, you know, and I
448
00:24:17,756 –> 00:24:21,092
and I and I, so
I and I always tell myself that
449
00:24:22,194 –> 00:24:24,863
as a physician, you are still human
450
00:24:24,863 –> 00:24:28,083
and you still have those same feelings
that your patients do.
451
00:24:28,667 –> 00:24:33,271
And so I get what patients feel
when they think I never called back,
452
00:24:33,421 –> 00:24:35,607
but it was okay before,
why do I have to do it?
453
00:24:35,607 –> 00:24:37,592
And I had the whole conversation
in my head
454
00:24:37,592 –> 00:24:39,711
and then I left it myself
because I thought, well,
455
00:24:39,711 –> 00:24:42,414
if I was the doctor
listening to this conversation, I’d say
456
00:24:42,447 –> 00:24:45,300
because that’s
what the mammograms force was designed.
457
00:24:45,300 –> 00:24:47,669
So I went in and I got my you know,
458
00:24:48,620 –> 00:24:51,273
I got my additional views
and everything was fine the next year.
459
00:24:51,273 –> 00:24:52,557
Everything was fine too.
460
00:24:52,557 –> 00:24:56,912
And then I think the third callback back,
I said, you know, I’ve got dense breasts.
461
00:24:57,262 –> 00:25:00,866
Maybe I need to do a different type
of mammogram so I don’t get the callbacks.
462
00:25:00,866 –> 00:25:02,100
I don’t have the anxiety.
463
00:25:02,100 –> 00:25:04,853
Now, that being said,
when I had my mammogram this year,
464
00:25:05,103 –> 00:25:08,073
because it’s on the off year
and last year, 3D mammogram was normal,
465
00:25:08,240 –> 00:25:11,159
if I get a callback, I’m still going
to have that conversation in my head.
466
00:25:11,510 –> 00:25:14,963
But I still will go back and
do the additional mammogram if I need to.
467
00:25:14,996 –> 00:25:16,548
And you get your annual mammogram.
468
00:25:16,548 –> 00:25:19,100
It doesn’t keep
it doesn’t keep me from being, you know.
469
00:25:19,668 –> 00:25:20,902
And so I think that’s the point
470
00:25:20,902 –> 00:25:24,873
that we really want to drive home,
that a screening test, any screening test.
471
00:25:25,156 –> 00:25:29,060
But we’re highlighting mammogram
as a screening test for breast cancer
472
00:25:29,394 –> 00:25:32,480
is designed to detect early disease.
473
00:25:32,731 –> 00:25:35,867
So you may get callbacks
because they see something
474
00:25:35,867 –> 00:25:38,486
that is abnormal
that requires additional study
475
00:25:39,020 –> 00:25:41,690
and that means it’s a good test.
476
00:25:41,990 –> 00:25:45,977
It’s a good screening test because it is
doing what it is designed to do
477
00:25:46,228 –> 00:25:48,079
so that we don’t miss anything.
478
00:25:48,079 –> 00:25:51,449
And again, we want every woman
479
00:25:51,800 –> 00:25:54,052
to be informed about their decision.
480
00:25:54,569 –> 00:25:57,539
And I have patients
who just refuse to get a mammogram
481
00:25:58,340 –> 00:25:59,791
and who may say they only want
482
00:25:59,791 –> 00:26:03,028
to get a thermo graham and if is abnormal,
then they may do something.
483
00:26:03,628 –> 00:26:07,315
If that is your decision,
I want it to be an informed decision
484
00:26:07,732 –> 00:26:11,186
so that you understand
that the test that you’re choosing to have
485
00:26:11,836 –> 00:26:14,839
is not designed to detect
486
00:26:15,257 –> 00:26:18,443
an early process.
487
00:26:18,443 –> 00:26:22,314
It’s it’s just not it’s not regulated
in a way
488
00:26:22,497 –> 00:26:26,451
that it can be reproduced
so that from year to year to year,
489
00:26:26,635 –> 00:26:29,988
you can compare different images
to see if there’s something changing.
490
00:26:30,739 –> 00:26:34,442
If there’s something abnormal
seen on a thermo graham,
491
00:26:35,126 –> 00:26:38,580
then you have to get a mammogram
as a next step in terms of imaging.
492
00:26:38,964 –> 00:26:42,467
So we just want you to have information
to know
493
00:26:42,917 –> 00:26:46,705
what the facts are based on
the these different tests
494
00:26:46,705 –> 00:26:49,257
and how they’re designed
and how they’re used.
495
00:26:49,741 –> 00:26:53,211
So we in all of our episodes
and with everything we do
496
00:26:53,211 –> 00:26:58,249
with our calling as being physicians,
we want you to know your options.
497
00:26:58,466 –> 00:27:00,835
We want you to know yourself.
498
00:27:00,835 –> 00:27:02,904
We want you to advocate for yourself.
499
00:27:03,321 –> 00:27:07,909
But please, if you have questions
or concerns, we want you to go to
500
00:27:09,077 –> 00:27:10,679
respected resources.
501
00:27:10,679 –> 00:27:12,947
We want
you to talk to your health care provider
502
00:27:13,231 –> 00:27:15,567
or find a health care provider
that you can talk to
503
00:27:15,567 –> 00:27:17,218
to provide you with information.
504
00:27:17,218 –> 00:27:21,656
You can also go to other resources,
health departments on the Komen
505
00:27:21,656 –> 00:27:27,145
breast care hotline
and Komen is with the K k OMI in.
506
00:27:27,145 –> 00:27:31,016
And that hotline number is 1877 go komen
507
00:27:31,349 –> 00:27:35,420
877gokom
508
00:27:35,420 –> 00:27:39,057
in cdcr also has a wealth of resources.
509
00:27:39,324 –> 00:27:41,609
We know everyone is googling
and you can find
510
00:27:42,077 –> 00:27:46,881
you can find a resource for everything,
but check the validity and the history
511
00:27:47,215 –> 00:27:50,452
of who you’re getting your information
from so that you know,
512
00:27:50,452 –> 00:27:53,972
if is something that you can rely on it
because your life depends on it.
513
00:27:54,389 –> 00:27:56,958
This is about your life
514
00:27:57,025 –> 00:27:58,910
and your quality of life.
515
00:27:58,910 –> 00:28:01,379
Should something be detected?
516
00:28:01,379 –> 00:28:03,298
Ladies, any other comments you have
517
00:28:04,282 –> 00:28:05,784
get screened?
518
00:28:05,784 –> 00:28:07,369
Yes, we can’t emphasize it enough.
519
00:28:07,369 –> 00:28:11,539
And even for those patients that come in
and either decide not to have a mammogram
520
00:28:11,790 –> 00:28:14,759
or decide to have a Thelma gram,
we’re going to give you the information.
521
00:28:15,026 –> 00:28:16,861
You know,
we have to give you the information
522
00:28:16,861 –> 00:28:18,863
because it’s personal to us.
523
00:28:19,080 –> 00:28:22,584
You know, as women, as women
that have had mammograms,
524
00:28:22,767 –> 00:28:25,336
as women that have known people
that have gotten breast cancer,
525
00:28:25,336 –> 00:28:28,940
it is very important because it is
treatable in its early stages.
526
00:28:29,240 –> 00:28:32,660
And so being that the mammogram
will detect it in the early stages,
527
00:28:32,660 –> 00:28:35,063
we want people to get it. Yes, absolutely.
528
00:28:35,580 –> 00:28:39,300
So once again, we appreciate you
taking your time to listen to us.
529
00:28:39,617 –> 00:28:43,471
We hope that this information has been
helpful, has been informative, and we,
530
00:28:43,471 –> 00:28:47,942
again, always want to encourage you
to be your own advocate for your health.
531
00:28:48,443 –> 00:28:50,879
Please share us with your family
and friends.
532
00:28:50,879 –> 00:28:56,034
You can always visit our website
at ptcobgyn.com.
533
00:28:56,034 –> 00:28:59,904
Listen to us wherever you get
your podcasts and until the next episode.
534
00:29:00,121 –> 00:29:02,157
I’m Dr. Mironda Williams. I’m Dr.
535
00:29:02,157 –> 00:29:03,141
Deanna Guthrie.
536
00:29:03,141 –> 00:29:06,177
And I’m Dr. Karen Greene. Take good care.
