Why aren’t ultrasounds routinely done alongside mammograms?

Hi Mimi: Nobody has responded to you so I will do that! That is awful the responses you got from your doctor and ultrasound tech. We have to advocate for whatever we think we need. Remember if you aren't getting the proper care from your doctor you can always change doctors. Some insurance companies have rules about changing doctors but they will let you change doctors.

Regarding ABUS---I have had that done. They do have one at one of the hospitals in our metro area. But I have switched back to screening ultrasounds (hand held ultrasound) by a tech that I trust. I have the same tech and the same radiologist read my films every time I have a ultrasound done. I think this helps with consistency of reading films and having the ultrasound diagnostic.

I am also adding MRI to my diagnostics every few yrs. I probably will have a MRI every couple two or three years. I have diagnostics done every 6 mo, because I chose no drugs or radiation in my therapy choice. I just had the surgery/lumpectomy. So I also wanted to have every 6 mo diagnostics which I do get done. That doesn't bother me at all. ABUS isn't at every hospital. But if you live near a metro area there should be one at one of the hospital systems in a large metro area.

Yes I completely agree with you. We have to be advocates for ourselves and stand up for what we want regarding diagnostics.

Hope all goes well for you with your recovery going forward!

It is up to the doc who orders your mammo. Before the ins approves, the facilities must measure your breast density, mine was the highest, D (A is the lowest), since then I have yearly mammo along with Automated Breast ultrasound ABUS, and ins covers them all.

I'm so frustrated by this. Knowing what I know now, I just went back and reviewed all my mammos on line. 2013 they saw something where my 13 cm LCIS was, but didn't think is was suspicious, 5 years ago! In every report they said I had dense breasts which may lower mammo sensitivity, but no Dr. ever recommended an ultrasound or mri in the right breast. They did one in the left in 2015 because I had a cyst. I'm so mad. It's just not good enough!!! They should be doing more than mammos and Drs. should pay more attention!!! I just can't find a good Dr. Should I blame the radiologist because they didn't recommend additional evaluation, and the Drs. just quickly read the conclusions? or should I blame the Dr. for not saying, hey she has dense breasts we should do periodic mris like my friend is getting? or both.

JRNJ: I was very frustrated too. I’m not sure which state you live in but almost every state has laws regarding density. Check this link for your state: https://www.areyoudenseadvocacy.org/dense

That’s awful what you’ve gone through. I’d be frustrated too! However, yes there ARE good drs out there. I recommend going online and looking at drs bios which many hospital systems have. Find one who talks about things you agree with. Then make appt for a meet and greet appt. you can search til you find a dr who you think is the right dr for you.

You can push for more diagnostics going forward with yr dr of choice. Especially if your state has density laws.

I hope all goes well going forward for your recovery.

Jons_girl, Thanks so much for that link! Now I am even more disgusted. I live in NJ, one of the most progressive states for insurance coverage for women, and I work for the state and have a great plan. The law was passed in NJ in 2014 to add notice on the letters to the patients about dense breasts. My letters from the radiologist said in big letters the mammo was normal, then there is a footnote in little letters discussing dense breasts. It encourages self exams. I have fibercystic breasts full of lumps and I always tell my Drs/RNs. self exams are meaningless for me. Drs/RNs. never discussed dense breasts with me or going for additional screening. But they sent me for vaginal ultrasounds every year because I have fibroids. I also had my first 3d this year, and never knew it was even an option before because my place didn't have it, but the same company had it at another nearby location years earlier. I feel like it's malpractice.