Dr refused to give mammogram bc im not on birthcontrol

braidedrug

I'm 24 with no history of breast cancer in my immediate family.

A few months ago I found a 2cmx2cm lump in my right breast. It does not g away with my cycle and is always there. I do not have a family doctor where I live right now so I went to a walk-in clinic on 01/07/18 and got referred to the Hospital for an ultrasound. I got the ultrasound today and was told by the technician that since my lump is pronounced (she used different words but from what I understood this is what she meant) that she would have to consult with the doctor as to if I would need a mammogram or not, due to my age - 24. He said that yes, he wanted the mammogram done right away.

When I met with the nurse who would be doing the mammogram she told me that since I am not on birth control and am sexually active I would have to wait to get the mammogram since I cannot prove that I am not pregnant. She then told me I would have to wait until a letter is mailed to me and I am within 10 days of my next period beginning to have the mammogram preformed.

This puts me roughly 10 days to two months away from getting the mammogram on my (possibly cancerous?) breast lump, depending on when the letter arrives and I get my next 2 periods. I have not heard of being denied a mammogram because of lack of birth control or possible pregnancy and research also shows that the low level of radiation wouldn't interfere with a fetus.

I'm looking for your input on this, since I don't have a doctor here, don't have anyone to consult with and am basically just freaking out right now. Any opinions on what I should do (wait it out, get another opinion, etc) would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks! Megan

Georgia1

Hi Megan. Yes, both MRIs and mammograms are most accurate right after your period, so some places do make you wait. It's not really about pregnancy or birth control, so what the tech told you does sound a little weird.

Is there another facility near you to get a mammogram? You might call and see if they have the same policy. But in any event, most breast cancer is very slow growing, plus odds of you having it are very, very low given your age. So you should be fine to wait.

All best wishes to you.

gb2115

See if the ordering doctor can work some magic and push it through if he isn't ok with the wait.

Cpeachymom

Hello, had this place never heard of a pregnancy test, they take 5 minutes?! My MO makes me take one Every month before they’ll give me my Lupron injection. Maybe it does have more to do with where in your cycle you are, as Georgia1 suggested.

melmcbee

Hey. Im a ct/ xray tech and our policy is similiar. Being in your cycle yoi can have it done or a negative pregnancy test and they can do it. If it was an emergency like a brain bleed they would do that if it was immediate life or death. If it can wait for a pregnancy test or for your cycle they have no choice. Im sorry. I know you are frustrated. Good luc

bevin

I have never heard of such a thing. Normally you just sign a letter saying you are not pregnant. If you have not had the test yet, I'd see your OB GYN and get them to order it. Something that large and palpable needs to be checked out. Good luck, I hope you get the tests you need soon.

coraleliz

I started getting "yearly" mammograms at age 30. Since my cycles weren't regular it was really apain to schedule. A couple of places had the attitude "this is our next appointment, take it or leave it". I was at times trying to become pregnant back then. I only had 10 periods a year & if I had a long cycle(6-7 weeks), my next cycle would be 4 1/2-5weeks. So, I'd call one of the more sympathetic centers & schedule my mammo about 5 weeks from the end of a long cycle. I could always cancel if needed. Once when I wasn't trying to get pregnant, I had a mammo on sore pre-period boobs. Don't ever do this! It hurt like hell(or maybe worse). So find a sympathetic center you can work with. You don't have to go to the one you're referred to.