A pediatrician’s take on the breast cancer screening issue, responding to yesterday’s post and today’s breast screening MRI news:

As a physician, I know testing is not the be all end all, even for women. And I don’t think every woman should get an MRI.

But, as a women, I can’t imagine waiting 4-6 months for a retest – I’d rather the biopsy or MRI. I know – not a good use of resources and over testing just increases our out of control health care costs. But, what if…let me tell you, that what if is very, very hard to shake!

With this as the prevailing attitude to diagnosis, there is no way any type of health system where imaging studies are remotely rationed would fly. Americans like their access to tests – the concept of “false positive” doesn’t resonate with the public.