If I am a woman under 35 and a doctor tells me to have a mammogram and then a surgeon says that that mammography for women under 35 is an ineffective tool and then studies show that women under 35 can get breast cancer from that mammography, and I get cancer after the mammograph, is that medical malpractice?
2006-10-16 14:23:22 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Women's Health
The risk of causing cancer with low-dose mammography is vanishingly small. There are some reasons to obtain mammograms for a woman at age 35, though not for routine screening.
If you do have mammograms make sure they are "digital." There was a large study reported in the New England Journal of Medicine this year demonstrating that digital mammography is a superior study for women under the age of 50. From that paper:
"Conclusions: The overall diagnostic accuracy of digital and film mammography as a means of screening for breast cancer is similar, but digital mammography is more accurate in women under the age of 50 years, women with radiographically dense breasts, and premenopausal or perimenopausal women."
Aloha
2006-10-16 14:36:14 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. Even though mammography is ineffective it can show things sometimes. I thank God my doc scheduled a mammography for me at the age of 28. I had a cancerous lump that was caught very early. Even if you get cancer after the mammography there is no way to prove it wasn't there before. the reason it is unreliable before the age of 35 is because younger women have denser breast tissue and therefore cancers may be harder to detect. Your doctor erred on the side of caution. Would you feel it was malpractice if cancer was found? I doubt it.
2006-10-16 21:52:35 · answer #2 · answered by Stephani 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. It's a difference of opinion. Please don't use the M word unless you have suffered severe medical consequences. Malpractice suits that are unfounded are the reason our medical insurance is so damn high.
ALWAYS get a second opinion. Remember doctors and surgeons are people too and given to their own ideals. Each reads differing information and takes it to their patients in different ways. If you went to a third doctor you might get yet another opinion.
You couldn't prove that cancer came from that particular source of radiation. And besides, is it really more than an Xray? And if the mammogram diagnosed a breast cancer wouldn't you be happy that the doctor recommended one?
2006-10-16 21:29:23 · answer #3 · answered by We2Angels 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends, is there a chance you may have a cancer? There are women who have breast cancer in their 20's. If a mammogram can cause cancer, then why do people have x-rays and CT scans? I don't really think a mammogram will give you cancer. You need to contact someone in authority and get a straight answer. I don't believe you'r doctors. If it is not effective on women under 35, why do they find cancer in women younger than 35?????????
2006-10-16 21:30:40 · answer #4 · answered by lazycat 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No it's not malpractise for a dr. to request a mammograph to be done. if you have a family history or there is a lump causing concern then do it. the actual procedure does not cause breast cancer although it is uncomfortable, it's the cells in your breast that can become cancerous and they need to know what level of cancer and how big it is or it can be a cyst where you get a build up of fluid and it needs to be drained using a needle to remove the fluid (my mum (46yrs) suffers from these cysts has been for years and we have a family history of breast cancer as well). any woman is at risk no matter what her age is. I read an article about a young woman 16years old who had to have both breasts removed and God Love her dad, he took out a loan to pay for her to have breast reconstruction so that she felt like a woman for the rest of her life. When in doubt ask your Dr. for more information about any tests or anything he wants you to do and if your not happy or doubt his answers get a second opinion.
2006-10-16 22:15:30 · answer #5 · answered by valentina c 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is all based on your medical history. The amount a radiation from a mammography is very limited and would normally not result in "causing cancer." What you really need to do is ask your PCP why he/she recommends a mammography for you. What is your family risk? Your personal health risk? Are you having problems?
2006-10-16 21:30:55 · answer #6 · answered by DEZ 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If a doctor has found a lump in a woman younger than 35, yes a mammogram can be ordered.
2006-10-16 21:29:19 · answer #7 · answered by Lov'n IT! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've never heard of mammogram causing cancer. Based on your personal medical history and that of your family, your doctor could want to perform a mammogram on you before the usual age. Me personally, I have about 5 female relatives (aunts, grandmothers, great-aunts, etc.) that have had breast cancer. I'm 23 now, and my doctor wants to start performing mammograms when I reach 30 (I think the normal age to start is 40). I think your doctor bases his/her advice on your situation.
2006-10-16 22:40:07 · answer #8 · answered by JustMyOpinion 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ok no it is not malpractice if the reason he is doing a mammogram is because he did a regular breast exam and found something that isnt normal.you cant get cancer from a mammogram at least i never heard of that before.if you have questions about why he ordered this test then ask him.
2006-10-16 21:27:19 · answer #9 · answered by cookiemonster5210 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've had 6 the past year 1/2. I'm 36.There are reasons either a lump or a high risk patient. I was told that the radiation was to low and wont cause harm.Also it is true that for younger women they are not as accurate
2006-10-16 21:35:08 · answer #10 · answered by gooplic 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋