Seeking Knowledge

Your Responsibilities As a Patient

Being a patient is not a passive endeavor, and nowhere is this more evident than in breast imaging. How you interact with staff, what you know about your situation, what you bring to the appointment, and what actions you take all affect the outcome of the evaluation.

Patients have responsibilities and these can help or hurt the evaluation that is taking place.  As a patient you should be prepared to provide current and post medical history, current or past biopsy or surgical history and family relevant to your assessment.  You should bring prior films and reports with you and be prepared to describe symptom characteristics concisely and accurately. What is the finding? When did it start? Is it stable or changing? How long has it been there?

The best and most accurate outcomes depend on the full and active participation of YOU, the patient.

A Quick List To Prepare For Your Next Breast Imaging Appointment:

• Get old films in advance (with reports).

• Know your family history (particularly 1st and 2nd degree relatives).

• Know your breast health history, including biopsies (needle and surgical).

• Be informed about your visit to your referring doctor (well visit versus new symptom).

• Know your current health status, including symptoms (describe concisely and accurately).

• Bring an order for your examination (or confirm in advance that it has been received).

• Schedule enough time to have your evaluation completed (common sense approach).

• Bring a cooperative attitude (remember all of this benefits you in the end).

• Ask questions if you have concerns (it is okay to clarify information and be proactive).

For further information please reference the following:

The Breast Test Book. Chapter 3.  You! How You Impact Your Care:  Your Responsibilities And Information You Need to Know.