Comments on: Study: 600,000 Women Get Unneeded Biopsies

CBS Evening News: Doctors Subjecting Women To Costly, Invasive Surgery For Cancer Check

[nurseid]

Previous comments reflect my concerns. I''m a breast cancer survivor and a nurse. My decision, made with with my surgeon, to have an open biopsy was based on my psychological health after learning at age 48 that I had cancer, the fact that all reports say "the earlier the detection, the better." and feeling that the accuracy of an open biopsy was much less in question than a needle biopsy for the small area of concern seen on xray. When my biopsy showed that I had breast cancer, finally staged at Stage 1, I rested abit better knowing that while I waited for those staging studies, that my original tumor was gone. Please, who sponsored the study that your story cited? I worry that it was done by those who benefit on the radiology side. . .when I was preparing for surgery a radiologist actually challenged me with his unsolicited comment "so why are you having surgery; you should be having a stereotactic biopsy". There are definitely "turf wars" on this topic and the patient, in the end, loses. It''s good to inform about choices for diagnosis, but I worry when stories don''t give the public the full information needed to decide for themselves what is best for them (eg open biopsy accuracy and study sponsorship). Dr. Susan Komen is certainly an expert and her opinion means a great deal to me. . but scarring vs being alive because my cancer was detected. . . no question: being alive! Thanks for having this site for comments.

[nurseid]

Previous comments reflect my concerns. I''m a breast cancer survivor and a nurse. My decision, made with with my surgeon, to have an open biopsy was based on my psychological health after learning at age 48 that I had cancer, the fact that all reports say "the earlier the detection, the better." and feeling that the accuracy of an open biopsy was much less in question than a needle biopsy for the small area of concern seen on xray. When my biopsy showed that I had breast cancer, finally staged at Stage 1, I rested abit better knowing that while I waited for those staging studies, that my original tumor was gone. Please, who sponsored the study that your story cited? I worry that it was done by those who benefit on the radiology side. . .when I was preparing for surgery a radiologist actually challenged me with his unsolicited comment "so why are you having surgery; you should be having a stereotactic biopsy". There are definitely "turf wars" on this topic and the patient, in the end, loses. It''s good to inform about choices for diagnosis, but I worry when stories don''t give the public the full information needed to decide for themselves what is best for them (eg open biopsy accuracy and study sponsorship). Susan Komen is certainly an expert and her opinion means a great deal to me. . but scarring vs being alive because my cancer was detected. . . no question: being alive! Thanks for having this site for comments.

[nurseid]

Previous comments reflect my concerns. I''m a breast cancer survivor and a nurse. My decision, made with with my surgeon, to have an open biopsy was based on my psychological health after learning at age 48 that I had cancer, the fact that all reports say "the earlier the detection, the better." and feeling that the accuracy of an open biopsy was much less in question than a needle biopsy. When my biopsy showed that I had breast cancer, I rested abit better knowing that while I waited for more studies, that my original tumor was gone. Please, who sponsored the study that your story cited? I worry that it was done by those who benefit on the radiology side. . .when I was preparing for surgery a radiologist actually challenged me with his unsolicited comment "so why are you having surgery; you should be having a stereotactic biopsy". There are definitely "turf wars" on this topic and the patient, in the end, loses. It''s good to inform about choices for diagnosis, but I worry when stories that don''t give the public the full information needed to decide for themselves what is best for them (eg open biopsy accuracy and study sponsorship). Thanks for having this site for comments.

[nurseid]

Previous comments reflect my concerns. I''m a breast cancer survivor and a nurse. My decision, made with with my surgeon, to have an open biopsy was based on my psychological health after learning at age 48 that I had cancer, the fact that all reports say "the earlier the detection, the better." and feeling that the accuracy of an open biopsy was much less in question than a needle biopsy. When my biopsy showed that I had breast cancer, I rested abit better knowing that while I waited for more studies, that my original tumor was gone. Please, who sponsored the study that your story cited? I worry that it was done by those who benefit on the radiology side. . .when I was preparing for surgery a radiologist actually challenged me with his unsolicited comment "so why are you having surgery; you should be having a stereotactic biopsy". There are definitely "turf wars" on this topic and the patient, in the end, loses. It''s good to inform about choices for diagnosis, but I worry when stories that don''t give the public the full information needed to decide for themselves what is best for them (eg open biopsy accuracy and study sponsorship). Thanks for having this site for comments.

[nurseid]

Previous comments reflect my concerns. I''m a breast cancer survivor and a nurse. My decision, made with with my surgeon, to have an open biopsy was based on my psychological health after learning at age 48 that I had cancer, the fact that all reports say "the earlier the detection, the better." and feeling that the accuracy of an open biopsy was much less in question than a needle biopsy. When my biopsy showed that I had breast cancer, I rested abit better knowing that while I waited for more studies, that my original tumor was gone. Please, who sponsored the study that your story cited? I worry that it was done by those who benefit on the radiology side. . .when I was preparing for surgery a radiologist actually challenged me with his unsolicited comment "so why are you having surgery; you should be having a stereotactic biopsy". There are definitely "turf wars" on this topic and the patient, in the end loses. It''s good to inform about choices for diagnosis, but I worry when stories that don''t give the public the full information needed to decide for themselves what is best for them (eg open biopsy accuracy and study sponsorship). Thanks for having this site for comments.

[nurseid]

Previous comments reflect my concerns. I''m a breast cancer survivor and a nurse. My decision, made with with my surgeon, to have an open biopsy was based on my psychological health after learning at age 48 that I had cancer, the fact that all reports say "the earlier the detection, the better." and feeling that the accuracy of an open biopsy was much less in question than a needle biopsy. When my biopsy showed that I had breast cancer, I rested abit better knowing that while I waited for more studies, that my original tumor was gone. Please, who sponsored the study that your story cited? I worry that it was done by those who benefit on the radiology side. . .when I was preparing for surgery a radiologist actually challenged me with his unsolicited comment "so why are you having surgery; you should be having a stereotactic biopsy". There are definitely "turf wars" on this topic and the patient, in the end loses. It''s good to inform about choices for diagnosis, but I worry when stories that don''t give the public the full information needed to decide for themselves what is best for them (eg open biopsy accuracy and study sponsorship). Thanks for having this site for comments.

[nurseid]

Previous comments reflect my concerns. I''m a breast cancer survivor and a nurse. My decision, made with with my surgeon, to have an open biopsy was based on my psychological health after learning at age 48 that I had cancer, the fact that all reports say "the earlier the detection, the better." and feeling that the accuracy of an open biopsy was much less in question than a needle biopsy. When my biopsy showed that I had breast cancer, I rested abit better knowing that while I waited for more studies, that my original tumor was gone. Please, who sponsored the study that your story cited? I worry that it was done by those who benefit on the radiology side. . .when I was preparing for surgery a radiologist actually challenged me with his unsolicited comment "so why are you having surgery; you should be having a stereotactic biopsy". There are definitely "turf wars" on this topic and the patient, in the end loses. It''s good to inform about choices for diagnosis, but I worry when stories that don''t give the public the full information needed to decide for themselves what is best for them (eg open biopsy accuracy and study sponsorship). Thanks for having this site for comments.

[nurseid]

Previous comments reflect my concerns. I''m a breast cancer survivor and a nurse. My decision, made with with my surgeon, to have an open biopsy was based on my psychological health after learning at age 48 that I had cancer, the fact that all reports say "the earlier the detection, the better." and feeling that the accuracy of an open biopsy was much less in question than a needle biopsy. When my biopsy showed that I had breast cancer, I rested abit better knowing that while I waited for more studies, that my original tumor was gone. Please, who sponsored the study that your story cited? I worry that it was done by those who benefit on the radiology side. . .when I was preparing for surgery a radiologist actually challenged me with his unsolicited comment "so why are you having surgery; you should be having a stereotactic biopsy". There are definitely "turf wars" on this topic and the patient, in the end loses. It''s good to inform about choices for diagnosis, but I worry when stories that don''t give the public the full information needed to decide for themselves what is best for them (eg open biopsy accuracy and study sponsorship). Thanks for having this site for comments.

[nurseid]

Previous comments reflect my concerns. I''m a breast cancer survivor and a nurse. My decision, made with with my surgeon, to have an open biopsy was based on my psychological health after learning at age 48 that I had cancer, the fact that all reports say "the earlier the detection, the better." and feeling that the accuracy of an open biopsy was much less in question than a needle biopsy. When my biopsy showed that I had breast cancer, I rested abit better knowing that while I waited for more studies, that my original tumor was gone. Please, who sponsored the study that your story cited? I worry that it was done by those who benefit on the radiology side. . .when I was preparing for surgery a radiologist actually challenged me with his unsolicited comment "so why are you having surgery; you should be having a stereotactic biopsy". There are definitely "turf wars" on this topic and the patient, in the end loses. It''s good to inform about choices for diagnosis, but I worry when stories are so one sided and don''t give the public the information needed to decide for themselves what is best for them. Thanks for having this site for comments.

[nurseid]

Previous comments reflect my concerns. I''m a breast cancer survivor and a nurse. My decision, made with with my surgeon, to have an open biopsy was based on my psychological health after learning at age 48 that I had cancer, the fact that all reports say "the earlier the detection, the better." and feeling that the accuracy of an open biopsy was much less in question than a needle biopsy. When my biopsy showed that I had breast cancer, I rested abit better knowing that while I waited for more studies, that my original tumor was gone. Please, who sponsored the study that your story cited? I worry that it was done by those who benefit on the radiology side. . .when I was preparing for surgery a radiologist actually challenged me with his unsolicited comment "so why are you having surgery; you should be having a stereotactic biopsy". There are definitely "turf wars" on this topic and the patient, in the end loses. It''s good to inform about choices for diagnosis, but I worry when stories are so one sided and don''t give the public the information needed to decide for themselves what is best for them. Thanks for having this site for comments.

[nurseid]

Previous comments reflect my concerns. I''m a breast cancer survivor and a nurse. My decision, made with with my surgeon, to have an open biopsy was based on my psychological health after learning at age 48 that I had cancer, the fact that all reports say "the earlier the detection, the better." and feeling that the accuracy of an open biopsy was much less in question than a needle biopsy. When my biopsy showed that I had breast cancer, I rested abit better knowing that while I waited for more studies, that my original tumor was gone. Please, who sponsored the study that your story cited? I worry that it was done by those who benefit on the radiology side. . .when I was preparing for surgery a radiologist actually challenged me with his unsolicited comment "so why are you having surgery; you should be having a stereotactic biopsy". There are definitely "turf wars" on this topic and the patient, in the end loses. It''s good to inform about choices for diagnosis, but I worry when stories are so one sided and don''t give the public the information needed to decide for themselves what is best for them. Thanks for having this site for comments.

[nurseid]

Previous comments reflect my concerns. I''m a breast cancer survivor and a nurse. My decision, made with with my surgeon, to have an open biopsy was based on my psychological health after learning at age 48 that I had cancer, the fact that all reports say "the earlier the detection, the better." and feeling that the accuracy of an open biopsy was much less in question than a needle biopsy. When my biopsy showed that I had breast cancer, I rested abit better knowing that while I waited for more studies, that my original tumor was gone. Please, who sponsored the study that your story cited? I worry that it was done by those who benefit on the radiology side. . .when I was preparing for surgery a radiologist actually challenged me with his unsolicited comment "so why are you having surgery; you should be having a stereotactic biopsy". There are definitely "turf wars" on this topic and the patient, in the end loses. It''s good to inform about choices for diagnosis, but I worry when stories are so one sided and don''t give the public the information needed to decide for themselves what is best for them. Thanks for having this site for comments.

[nurseid]

Previous comments reflect my concerns. I''m a breast cancer survivor and a nurse. My decision, made with with my surgeon, to have an open biopsy was based on my psychological health after learning at age 48 that I had cancer, the fact that all reports say "the earlier the detection, the better." and feeling that the accuracy of an open biopsy was much less in question than a needle biopsy. When my biopsy showed that I had breast cancer, I rested abit better knowing that while I waited for more studies, that my original tumor was gone. Please, who sponsored the study that your story cited? I worry that it was done by those who benefit on the radiology side. . .when I was preparing for surgery a radiologist actually challenged me with his unsolicited comment "so why are you having surgery; you should be having a stereotactic biopsy". There are definitely "turf wars" on this topic and the patient, in the end loses. It''s good to inform about choices for diagnosis, but I worry when stories are so one sided and don''t give the public the information needed to decide for themselves what is best for them. Thanks for having this site for comments.

[pvhouse1]

I''ve had 2 biopsies. A radiologist attempted needle biopsy both times and was unsuccessful. Next step was the surgical biopsies. Both were benign, thankfully. I''m glad my doctor had the ability to use both procedures instead of being locked into a policy that would only allow needle biopsies. Don''t condemn a generation of women to a procedure which is often unsuccessful.

[anneedeutsch]

This story is misleading. Most (or many) needle biopsies are "inclonclusive". If the needle does not find the exact spot in the tumer, it will not read properly. Doctors and the whole medical field are doing so much to treat breast cancer. . .Get a surgical biopsy if you want to be safe!!

[bjbrn1]

Being a newly diagnosed 48yr.old female with breast cancer, I firmly disagree with needle biopsy being the method used diagnose breast cancer. In Sept, of 2008, found a lump, did the mammo and ultrasound. Referred to surgeon, and needle biopsy completed that day with 5 tissue samples taken and sent to pathologist. Follow up visit with surgeon, results was told to me that the lump was benign!!! Praises went up because prayers were answered. Less than 3 months later, prior next mammo follow-up, emergency cholecystectomy landed me in the hospital and my daughter, a nursing student, asked the surgeon if he would now remove the lump while I was in surgery. He did and 4 days later, I was informed that I had breast cancer. Stage 2 of 4. Have now undergone mastectomy with lymph nodes removed, (benign lymph nodes) thank the Lord above, and beginning Chemo. My cost for the biopsy and lumpectomy, pretty close to the same. Just lost time, because needle biopsy is always believed to be so accurate!? Just wanted other women to know that a needle biopsy is not always the way to go. Sometimes more invasive procedures can the way to go and more reassuring!

[quidam56]

It''s a sad day in America when Profit Care comes ahead of Patient Care. wisecountyissues.com