If a doctor schedules a woman for mammography and she is under 35 is that malpractice?

If I am a woman under 35 and a doctor tells me to have a mammogram and then a surgeon says that that mammography for women under 35 is an ineffective tool and then studies show that women under 35 can get breast cancer from that mammography, and I get cancer after the mammograph, is that medical malpractice?

The risk of causing cancer with low-dose mammography is vanishingly small. There are some reasons to obtain mammograms for a woman at age 35, though not for routine screening.

If you do have mammograms make sure they are "digital." There was a large study reported in the New England Journal of Medicine this year demonstrating that digital mammography is a superior study for women under the age of 50. From that paper:

"Conclusions: The overall diagnostic accuracy of digital and film mammography as a means of screening for breast cancer is similar, but digital mammography is more accurate in women under the age of 50 years, women with radiographically dense breasts, and premenopausal or perimenopausal women."

Aloha

It's just a difference of opinion. Maybe your doctor found a lump that he wants to have investigated further.

ok no it is not malpractice if the reason he is doing a mammogram is because he did a regular breast exam and found something that isnt normal.you cant get cancer from a mammogram at least i never heard of that before.if you have questions about why he ordered this test then ask him.

My Dr wants me to get my 1st mammogram at 25 because my mom, both grandma's and one of my great grandma's had breast cancer, so I am at HIGH risk.

not hardly, if DR ordered he must of had a reason or maybe family history? just like smokers dying of lung CA sueing the cigarette company, that is just crazy...............

You are being misinformed.

For correct information, check out webmd.com

If breast cancer runs in your family, you should have a base line mam. in your twenties. Many women have cancer in there 20's.

Please do some reading on this important subject.

Knowledge is power!

good luck

If a doctor has found a lump in a woman younger than 35, yes a mammogram can be ordered.

no, are you just trying to get money from a lawsuit, some doctors have a woman get a baseline mammo at age 35, if that is normal then start yearly mammo's at age 40, stop being such a drama queen, i had my first one at age 33 and now have to get them every two years, for fibrocystic breasts, it you are that worried about it then maybe you should change healthcare providers to someone you have more confidence in.

No. It's a difference of opinion. Please don't use the M word unless you have suffered severe medical consequences. Malpractice suits that are unfounded are the reason our medical insurance is so damn high.

ALWAYS get a second opinion. Remember doctors and surgeons are people too and given to their own ideals. Each reads differing information and takes it to their patients in different ways. If you went to a third doctor you might get yet another opinion.

You couldn't prove that cancer came from that particular source of radiation. And besides, is it really more than an Xray? And if the mammogram diagnosed a breast cancer wouldn't you be happy that the doctor recommended one?

It depends, is there a chance you may have a cancer? There are women who have breast cancer in their 20's. If a mammogram can cause cancer, then why do people have x-rays and CT scans? I don't really think a mammogram will give you cancer. You need to contact someone in authority and get a straight answer. I don't believe you'r doctors. If it is not effective on women under 35, why do they find cancer in women younger than 35?????????

This is all based on your medical history. The amount a radiation from a mammography is very limited and would normally not result in "causing cancer." What you really need to do is ask your PCP why he/she recommends a mammography for you. What is your family risk? Your personal health risk? Are you having problems?

no women in there 20's get them every day.Trying to make a buck are you.

I'm not sure what you're asking.

The mammogram is just tool to help detect cancer....there are no guarantees.

The woman's age doesn't come into play.

I've had 6 the past year 1/2. I'm 36.There are reasons either a lump or a high risk patient. I was told that the radiation was to low and wont cause harm.Also it is true that for younger women they are not as accurate

No. Even though mammography is ineffective it can show things sometimes. I thank God my doc scheduled a mammography for me at the age of 28. I had a cancerous lump that was caught very early. Even if you get cancer after the mammography there is no way to prove it wasn't there before. the reason it is unreliable before the age of 35 is because younger women have denser breast tissue and therefore cancers may be harder to detect. Your doctor erred on the side of caution. Would you feel it was malpractice if cancer was found? I doubt it.

No. A doctor can schedule it an any age for a woman whose pap smear has been irregular, whose female ancestors on father's side have died of breast cancer.

NO, a baseline mamo is suggested for women at about 35. If you Dr ordered one earlier than that.. he was looking out for your health. breast cancer affects women of all ages, our neighbors daughter died from it when she was 33 years old. Thank your Doctor

nooooooooo

No it's not malpractise for a dr. to request a mammograph to be done. if you have a family history or there is a lump causing concern then do it. the actual procedure does not cause breast cancer although it is uncomfortable, it's the cells in your breast that can become cancerous and they need to know what level of cancer and how big it is or it can be a cyst where you get a build up of fluid and it needs to be drained using a needle to remove the fluid (my mum (46yrs) suffers from these cysts has been for years and we have a family history of breast cancer as well). any woman is at risk no matter what her age is. I read an article about a young woman 16years old who had to have both breasts removed and God Love her dad, he took out a loan to pay for her to have breast reconstruction so that she felt like a woman for the rest of her life. When in doubt ask your Dr. for more information about any tests or anything he wants you to do and if your not happy or doubt his answers get a second opinion.

I've never heard of mammogram causing cancer. Based on your personal medical history and that of your family, your doctor could want to perform a mammogram on you before the usual age. Me personally, I have about 5 female relatives (aunts, grandmothers, great-aunts, etc.) that have had breast cancer. I'm 23 now, and my doctor wants to start performing mammograms when I reach 30 (I think the normal age to start is 40). I think your doctor bases his/her advice on your situation.