We now move to the medical arts, where things quite simply aren’t as they should be.
Dr. George Papanicolaou first presented his findings that cancerous cells could be found in a vaginal smear in 1928. Despite the efforts of the American Cancer Society to promote the use of Dr. Pap’s screening tool, it took until the mid 1960’s for the test to become part of a routine check-up.
I recently went for a routine mammogram. The results came back with phrases like: “questionable central nodularity right cc view and axillary portion left breast MLO view.” Since my previous mammogram results were not available to this radiologist, he suggested “spot compression views and ultrasound if necessary” for further evaluation. My nurse practitioner called me to follow up. I told her that I wasn’t coming back for spot compression, but that I was going for SonoCine screening. (Here’s their website.) She hadn’t heard of SonoCine, but agreed that more radiation probably wasn’t a good thing.
SonoCiné is an automated breast ultrasound system that has been cleared by FDA as an adjunctive examination to mammography. It is a complimentary examination and not a replacement for mammography.
Early studies indicate that, when used as an adjunct to mammography, SonoCiné may find smaller cancers than may not be found by mammography alone.
SonoCine isn’t covered by health insurance plans. As far as I can tell, it hasn’t been embraced by the medical community on the scale that it deserves to be. So, dear consumer, it is up to you to be informed and make some noise about this.
I don’t have breast cancer. I do have a couple of fibroadnomas. You can read about what they are over here.
For those of you who have had breast cancer or have a history of breast cancer in your family, I recommend SonoCine. For those of you who have ‘dense breasts’ – I recommend SonoCine.
To the medical community: It’s time you embrace a tool that works. To the insurance companies: Do the right thing. Besides, this might save you some money.
SoCal folks, you can get your SonoCine at the Hall Health and Longevity Center in Venice. (Here’s their site.)
YouTube video here.
Special thanks to Nancy, whose cancer was found by SonoCine early. Thanks for hoisting and waving the SonoCine flag.
West Coast Grrlie Blather 
Fantastic information and call to action, Kelly! You’re right….the medical community and insurance folks needs to climb aboard.
This is the first I’ve heard. Blogs are like that.
Thanks for the info. So far, I haven’t had a questionable mammogram, but I am in that group that has very dense breast tissue that makes it difficult for the radiologist to see what’s going on.
That place is Venice looks WONDERFUL!
I think I was made aware of this different approach from a breast cancer survivor at the performance work shop you were/are part of, a few years back. The medical community is slug slow in keeping up with our needs.
Thank you for spreading the word! Most important: Talk with your Dr. about your breast density! There are screening solutions for women with dense breast tissue. More information can be found at http://www.sonocine.com! Best of luck to you!