I hope you read this article on the importance of having a breast pathologist read your biopsy.  I have posted this before, but it’s such an important “white paper” report from Komen that I think it deserves more discussion.

When confronted with a breast health issue, many patients seek out a particular breast center or a breast surgeon/oncologist who is well-known for his/her years of expertise in the field. However, one of the key physicians in any breast health center is the pathologist who is the doctor actually making your diagnosis. Unfortunately, most patients don’t know anything about their pathologist.  So even though you saw a renowned surgeon or had your core biopsy done by a nationally-recognized radiologist, your biopsy material may eventually make its way to the laboratory that is contractually obligated to read all material from the physicians that work at that center.  If that particular breast center has a specialized breast pathologist with years of experience that is great.  If not, this could mean your biopsy may be read by someone just finishing their residency training or someone with no specialized training or focus in breast pathology.

Your pathologist is the doctor who decides if you have cancer or not…get to know him or her.  Their name will be at the bottom of your pathology report which is freely accessible to you.  Any quick internet search or search of the hospital/center website in which that pathologist works should give you access to his/her training, years of experience, special areas of expertise, etc.  You deserve to have a breast pathologist with years of experience read your biopsy.

Please forward any comments you have, pro or con.  I want this to be an open discussion on womens’ breast health care.

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