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Against Breast Cancer

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Re: endometriosis and increased risk of b.c.

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Posted by Betsy Mullen on 4/1/2000 from 205.188.195.27:
In reply to: endometriosis and increased risk of b.c. posted by June on 3/25/2000 from 166.102.224.89:
Dear June:

I have run your question regarding endometriosis and breast cancer risk by a medical expert in that area. As soon as I get any feedback from this physician, I will post it on WIN ABC’s message board and notify you immediately. I am curious as to the source of the material you read regarding recent research conducted about endometriosis and increased breast cancer risk. I am also curious as to the source of the research and the design of the research and size and duration of the study. Have you run this information by members of your health care team? There is a lot of great and vital research taking place, but, also, some less than credible research as well. It is important to have experts check out such information and explain research findings to you.

In the meantime, we have a very extensive and reliable Resources Section here on this site (winabc.org) with links to additional sites for more information.

With respect to the palpable lump you found two months ago: Is the lump still palpable? I am not a physician or radiation tech, but if the lump is not palpable and cannot be detected on mammogram or breast ultrasound, a biopsy may be very challenging. Are you scheduled for a follow-up visit(s) to track the lump? If so, when (e.g., every 3-6 months)?

Here are some additional specific information/questions you should discuss with your doctors:

1. Do you have a family of breast cancer?

2. Do you have any additional known risk factors?; Do you know what some of the other breast cancer risk factors are?

3. Do you know how to do a proper breast exam? You can receive this information and register for monthly breast self-exam reminders right on our web site (www.winabc.org)

4. Did you have a mammogram prior to your ultrasound?

5. Was your current ultrasound and/or mammogram compared with any previous ones?

6. Did you receive a copy of the radiologist’s report/findings from this last ultrasound and/or mammogram?

7. Did you physician(s) discuss the possibility of a breast MRI?

8. Have you ever had a breast biopsy prior to these findings?

These are all things to think about and discuss with your health care team. We would be happy to send you educational materials, free of charge regarding breast self-exam, breast health, understanding breast changes, questions to ask your health plan about exemplary care (found on our web site under help yourself – 10 key questions for women to ask their health plans), breast cancer myths and much, much more depending upon your needs.

There are several good books out about endometriosis that may be helpful to you as well. Here are some web sites that I have just located, that may serve as a good resource for you. Please refer to our web site’s policies regarding resource links as well as the HON code of ethics for health care sites found on our home page. WIN Against Breast Cancer subscribes to the HON code principles of the Health On the Net Foundation. This information will help you determine the reliability of health-related web sites.

I do not know anything about these particular sites or organizations, but here are the addresses I found:

http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/1712/endo.htm (I think it can also be found by endometriosis.org):

Here are another few sites that I found, and again, please keep in mind that I am not familiar with this entity: http://www.ivf-et.com/endocancers.html

http://www.impp.org/html/headlines_6.html: sites a 1997 study on endometriosis and cancer risk; SOURCE: American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (1997; 176:572-579).

AN IMPORTANT REMINDER: It is very difficult to render an opinion without knowing all the facts of any one particular case. But one strong recommendation we would like to make is that you pursue your question(s) with your own physicians. You should feel fully empowered to obtain a satisfactory answer and feel free to seek a second or third opinion. We have some great tips on partnering with your health care team and key questions to ask your doctors, communication tips and informed decision-making tips to help you get the information you need. There is a special form on our web site that you can fill out and e-mail to us to help us best meet your needs and you are also welcome to call us at (626) 332-2255. Your information will be kept confidential.

I will close with this thought and a saying of mine: "When in doubt, check it out." Everybody is different and every body is different. You know your body well and are your own best advocate. Pursue any concerns with your health care team. I am a strong advocate of second opinions.

I hope that this information is helpful to you and answers many of your questions. Please let us know how you are doing.

Betsy Mullen
President/CEO
WIN Against Breast Cancer