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.
Your Pathologist
"My pathologist? Is there such a thing?"
Not only is there such a thing as having your own pathologist on your Team, but there such a person as a pathologist! This physician is the second doctor you should be visiting with because before , or after, your biopsy, you want to be assured, just as you will with the rest of your Team that this physician is qualified to interpret your cells, tissues, and tumor if the is one - even though it is not malignant
During your visit to your radiologist at the time of your mammogram, and shown your the suspicious finding on the films mounted up on a backlit glass in the hospital or clinic, s/he will put up all of your prior mammography to compare the past few years so be sure you bring them with you, but don't let them be taken by the receptionist, or another doctor. Merely tell them that you will be keeping them until the radiologist calls you in and remind the individual that you made these arrangements when you made the appointment. And, do not give in and leave them with h/im!
Your next move will probably be a biopsy. Most breast radiologist are great doing breast biopsies and they should be! The FDA is fairly adamant that they are the ones who will be doing them, not other physicians. It can be pure economics. The radiologist gets his fee for reading the mammogram, and since they cost on average $100, they now bill for the radiologist reading in most places.
Then, when the surgeon comes along and attempts to perform a breast biopsy, and can charge the insurance companies a couple of hundred dollars for the procedure, not only is it not fair, but it is also against FDA regulations. Now, the surgeon may perform the biopsy with a radiologist present—and many radiologist let them do it because they are good at it, and they are kind. However, bear in mind, you may have a doctor specifically trained to perform a biopsy, and a surgeon who is not! So, ask your radiologist about this, and ask the FDA (see Resources).
HOWEVER, always have your films with you to show to your breast surgeon when you select one. Never go to the appointment without them.
You will be seeing this radiologist for a long time, too, so select wisely. S/he has to be someone you can talk to and trust to be open with you, and responsive to your concerns. You will be having a lot of scans, or MRIs or CAT scans, and x-rays ordered for at least a year, so invest in the friendship and collegiality.
The Pathologist
I'll bet your thought I forgot this wondrous physician! Not on your life, or mine. Remember, this is someone you want to see before your biopsy, or at least shortly afterward, in a matter of hours. Most pathologists are not used to patients contacting them; however, they are getting more accustomed to it as time goes by, and more patients are encouraged to participate with their own care. So, ask the radiologist who the pathologist will be and make a pre visit if you can, if not, go over there after the biopsy.
Find out what techniques the pathologist will be using, and why. Especially, today, find out if s/he will be using histochemical staining on the tissues, or later the nodes. This is what detects micrometastasis.
Continued: Pathologists