Maintaining a relationship with your doctor has benefits

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The importance of regular mammograms for prevention of breast cancer is widely accepted.

But it’s not just because the examination is designed to detect health problems. The effect of a doctor who has closely followed a patient’s progress is also important.

A doctor who is familiar with his or her patient will more easily recognize changes in the patient’s health – particularly small ones that might be signs of trouble. And he or she will be easier for the patient to trust and take seriously.

Many people come in for screenings once they notice symptoms, such as lumps. Amy Kerger, a radiologist specializing in breasts at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, says the problem is that once symptoms are noticeable, there might already be damage done.

Palpable lumps must be close to two centimeters to be noticeable, Kerger says, but annual visits allow doctors to find lumps in the millimeter range. Additionally, many people are lulled into a false sense security by the absence of cancer in their family history – but, Kerger says, only 15 percent of breast cancers are genetic.

“We want women to come in early, because you want to find whatever’s going on before you find a lump,” she says. “We’re looking for cancer early.”

Reticence is understandable. Examinations can be nerve-wracking for patients.

“It’s a very scary experience. Every person reacts to that differently. You have to have an understanding of what they’re going through,” says Kerger. “You have to help them through whichever way is best for them.”

To remedy that, many medical offices put extra work into making sure patients are at ease. For example, Solis Mammography, which has three offices in central Ohio, is set up to look more like a spa than a hospital.

“Whether a woman coming into her screening has history or not, that doesn’t eliminate her worry,” says Diana Von Voigt, local Solis center director. “It is important that we offer our patients the peace of mind relating to their breast health with an exceptional experience and accurate results.”

Von Voigt says this familiarity has led to strong relationships between staff and guests. Some patients even drive up from North Carolina just to see certain mammographers.

“The way a person is treated, that entrusts to them that we know what we’re doing – that we’re competent, confident,” Von Voigt says.

Lindsey Capritta is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.

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