Principles of Medical Ethics

Before You Donate

Think very seriously before donating to any breastcancer organization, or fundraising program until you read their Annual Report to see who their top contributors are, and if they have a product that appears frequently in the message the organization sends to the public. That would be unethical and its illegal. The same applies to a request that the public buys products, but does not receive a "donor receipt" for tax-deductible purpose. Read any and all food labels that breastcancer "non-profits" are promoting to raise money. Some organizations tell the public to help them raise money by asking you to visit their websites, but that only gives them "hits" to increase their sponsors.

Another tip, "signing" an online Petition is not acceptable, so don't fall for such antics. An ethical non-profit, or professional will not request your visit to their website, nor use "cookies" placed on your computer when you visit their site.

Purchase the Breastcancer Postage Stamp, the Post Office will always give you your charitable deduction receipt. Its a valid form of fund raising.

Where Did Things Go Wrong?

(This is in five sections for easier reading. More divisions will be made, soon)

I know where the gaps were. I know where was a breakdown in accurate diagnosis and early treatment. I now know who the responsible people are. All that I really wanted was for someone to say, "I'm sorry—I made a mistake." We are all human, and we all make mistakes. But, the first, a radiologist, was not certified to read mammograms!

Chronology

I was in a different city for a short time, and returned home often. I maintained regular examinations/mammograms, and my own records.

1995 December: Sonogram at Henry *Ford Hospital in Detroit revealed a solid mass in my thyroid. Recommendation: Immediate surgery—"most likely malignant (*Institution "A")."

I went home to Texas for the surgery to be performed "in Institution "B." Pathology results:** Benign: large previously undetected parathyroid adenomas (left) excised also (long history of terrible and strange symptoms which all turned out to be "text book symptoms" after the surgery!).

1996 Mammogram: negative (reviewed twice by Institution "A" by ordering all prior mammograms since 1986).

1997, March: mammogram by Institution "B," in Texas which did the 1995 surgery; complaints of breast ductal distention and discomfort in right breast on outer aspect since I had been put on estrogen since 12/95 parathyroid removal, to help my calcium/bone loss even though a bone density test done at Institution A revealed an estimated age of 30!!! I directly spoke to the radiologist telling her of these symptoms, and that both of my siblings died of cancer before they were 30 years old.

Mammogram results: *negative.
I did not even think to check on the professional standing or licensure of that radiologist...had I done that, I would have found out she was not licensed in the State at that time, but had been on the medical school faculty as well.

1998: Moved to a nearby city previous Fall, so had my annual mammogram performed there. I asked a radiologist friend for the name of a radiologist in this new city to read my mammogram. That radiologist was contacted, he agreed to even do the mammogram for me, but instead I went to one of their many offices. I requested that radiologist, in writing and verbally at the time of my mammogram. Same complaints were given again. "Negative" But, the letter was not signed by the radiologist I had requested.

continued...

Reviewed: Wednesday, July 27, 2005