I am 42 and need to start having breast exams, however, at 23 I had a breast augmentation which started leaking that same year and has made me sick over the years, therefore I cannot have a mammogram because it could be dangerous to cause more silicone leakage into my body...does anyone know of any alternative measures which won't cause any more damage, that I can do for breast cancer screening???
2007-09-27 10:50:36 · 9 answers · asked by DoubleD0517atyahoo 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Cancer
There are some things which will NOT show up on an ultrasound that will show up on a mammogram. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer it didn't show up on the ultrasound, THANKFULLY my breast surgeon did a biopsy and after that came back postive I had a mammogram that showed the cancer all throughout the breast.
I do need to say though, if you have silicon implants that where leaking 20 years ago and haven't had them removed yet GET YOURSELF TO A PLASTIC SURGEON. The newer silicon implants which where approved for use in the general population about a year ago are much much safer than the old ones.
If you still have leaky silicon implants and aren't getting mammograms because of them you're putting yourself doubly at risk.
2007-09-28 05:04:55 · answer #1 · answered by Salli B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
While most women will say a mammogram is best, if able, it isn't. A single mammogram can INCREASE your risk of cancer due to the radiation exposed (1,000 times greater than an x-ray) Multiple studies have been done in the USA, Canada, and Europe that have proven that for every 1 woman saved by a mammogram, 10 others are harmed. Sonograms are far safer, and while they may not always catch everything, they won't increase your risks either. There are also blood tests that can be done to find cancer markers, which is really better since they can screen for nearly all forms of cancer with the single test. While at your next screening, also ask for a sonogram of your ovaries. While Breast cancer is talked about more, Ovarian cancer is far more deadly, since most women don't show signs until they are already in stage 4. Talk to your doctor in full length about ALL the benefits and risks, and weigh them for yourself. If there is no history of cancer in your family, no signs of cancer in you, then you may not need to risk your health for little more than a pat on the back, you aren't dying.... yet.
2013-11-18 23:16:34 · answer #2 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you haven't had the leaking implants removed, why not? MRI can lead to false positives and require unneeded biopsies (I ended up getting 2 additional biopsies when I was diagnosed with breast cancer because of the MRI), which could cause more problems with implants. Ultrasound can detect help determine if a lump is a cyst vs. a possible malignancy. PET Scan may be another alternative but not all insurance will pay for MRI or PET Scans as routine diagnostic tools.
2007-09-27 20:41:25 · answer #3 · answered by knittinmama 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Due to the high incidence of breast cancer where I am from, due to my incidence of cancer of another sorts, the hormones I took, the difficulty the doctor had w/my 1st mammo, and my mom passing from breast cancer, I talked doctors and insurance into letting me have an ultrasound mammogram.. this is called a diagnostic vs standard mammogram.
You can ask for this. As I remember there was still some pressure, but you can have them ease up.
2007-09-27 18:48:34 · answer #4 · answered by itsjunglepat 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
they are starting to develop MRI mammography. But i am not sure if they are offered as a recognized diagnostic tool. Otherwise there are no other alternatives. Just do your regular breat exams and feel for lumps and changes. are you sure you can not have a mammo? Maybe you should have your implants removed. better to have your breasts checked than to have perfect boobs. anyways. implants are NOT made to last. they usually start breaking down after 10 years and need to be replaced anyways. And the ones today are more hardy and hold up to mammograms.
2007-09-27 17:54:54 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Ultra sound is one way. I have very dense breasts. When I go in for my Mammogram, I also have to go through an ultra sound. Talk with your Doctor. If you haven't been having exams up to this point, you are long over due.
2007-09-27 18:54:57 · answer #6 · answered by janice 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Have an ultrasound and a chest x-ray. It's not the same but it should give a pretty clear pic.
2007-09-30 20:50:43 · answer #7 · answered by sassyatlantanative 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A breast ultrasound & also breast thermography (not covered in Canada by OHIP).
2007-09-28 00:35:08 · answer #8 · answered by Another baby boy! 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ulta sound??? ask your GP
2007-09-28 03:18:03 · answer #9 · answered by charlie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋