BCRuckus转发了
Change is possible. Last January, I visited Dr. Richard Shannon, SVP and CMO of Duke University health system, to push for better breast cancer screening for women with dense breasts. I was disappointed in my care at Duke Cancer Center in which bilateral breast cancer consisting of two tumors measuring almost 3 cm each went undiagnosed repeatedly on 3-D mammograms. I was angry that my Duke primary care physician, like many North Carolina physicians, advised that 3-D digital breast tomosynthesis was adequate for my heterogeneously dense breasts. I wanted to ensure that other women who entrusted their care to Duke would not feel similarly betrayed. William Hawkins, former CEO of Medtronic and former member of the Board of Trustees for Duke Medical Center, Leslie Ferris Yerger of My Density Matters, and a substantial donor to Duke Cancer Center were in attendance. At that meeting, a list of commitments was provided by Dr. Shannon to improve breast cancer screening for women with dense breasts. I was skeptical that change would occur… But it has! Based on discussions with Dr. Shannon, Duke has done the following 1. Rolled out an education program to over 200 primary care physicians on the shortcomings of mammograms for breast cancer screenings for women with dense breasts and the need for supplemental screening (preferably a breast MRI or alternatively, an ultrasound). 2. Changed medical practices so that with women with heterogeneously dense breasts will be advised to get additional screening and women with extremely dense breasts will be referred to get the supplemental screening. Please note that insurance may not pay for the additional screening. This is something that I have been working with many others to change both in North Carolina and nationally (Find It Early Act) 3. Established a program where women will be able to have a 15 minute consultation with a radiologist to review their mammograms. After my misdiagnoses, I was committed to improve breast cancer screening for other women, especially younger women and minority women, who tend to have dense breasts. I am extremely encouraged by the commitment of Dr. Shannon and others at Duke to improve the outcomes of women who trust their care to them. We do not have to be silent victims . . . But can use our experiences to benefit others. #breastcancerscreening #breastcancer #womenshealth #healthequity #mammography #densebreasts
Sheila Ann Mikhail I am so proud of how you continue to champion the need for change in how women with dense breasts are examined for breast cancer. I know it must have been hard to go back to where your bc journey started. You are a hero to all of us!
This is excellent. In my case I was diagnosed at Duke University Medical Center while employed in the Department of Radiology. I did receive an immediate consultation with a radiologist and a record-breaking referral to a breast surgeon (Dr. Wilke who is now at U.W.). Likely much of that optimal experience resulted from my privileged status as an insider. This white glove treatment should be more the norm for all women. At the time I was diagnosed my breasts qualified as heterogeneously dense and while tomosynthesis was not a routine clinical offering at the time, I did receive free supplemental breast MRI surveillance imaging because I joined a clinical trial. Supplemental breast MRI (or other) imaging should be more universally accessible especially for high risk patients.
You are as amazing as the day we met and more. Thanks for blessing all of us with all of this.
You are one reason that good things like this can (and should!) happen! CONGRATS on this progress! Continue to advocate for ALL proven technologies that can help in the breast surveillance journey!
Thank you for your advocacy and action in bringing positive change. True rockstar leadership
This is very exciting progress Sheila Ann Mikhail. Thank you for never giving up and continuing to push this women's health issue to a positive place at Duke University Health System. Those of us with very dense breasts are eternally grateful to you.
Thank you Sheila for being the voice of change to so many of us!
Wonderful Update..... Thank You....
Sheila Ann Mikhail Amazing progress! Do you know the details around being able to talk to the radiologist? I asked for this very thing after undergoing a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound (thankfully negative!) at Duke two weeks ago and the tech told me that wasn’t possible.