Will a radiologist tell you if something is wrong?

“They aren't doctors, and while they do know how to get around your anatomy, they aren't qualified to diagnose you.” That is true even though the tech likely knows the answer to your question. Imaging techs administer thousands of scans a year.

regionalonehealth.org - Why won't my imaging technician tell me what they're seeing on my test?

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The last time you had an x-ray, mammogram or similar test, did you ask your imaging tech if everything looked OK?

If the answer is yes, you’re not alone.

It’s human nature to want the results of medical tests as soon as possible. Susan Edwards, manager of Regional One Health’s East Campus Imaging Center, said her imaging technicians get asked for a diagnosis all the time. All of the center’s imaging techs are trained and licensed to administer exams like x-rays, CT scans, MRIs and mammograms.

They are also trained to politely decline requests for test results.

The Imaging Center’s protocol is to tell patients their results must come from their doctor. “Plenty of patients ask, but techs should not give information and should not even react to what they’re seeing on the image,” Edwards said. “They aren’t doctors, and while they do know how to get around your anatomy, they aren’t qualified to diagnose you.” That is true even though the tech likely knows the answer to your question. Imaging techs administer thousands of scans a year. They know if what they’re seeing on the screen is a cause for concern, Edwards acknowledged. And, if they see something that is not just a concern but a medical emergency, they will have a radiologist read your test immediately.

If the radiologist confirms the emergency, you’ll be sent for emergency care.

But it’s simply not their position to share diagnostic information with a patient. “Your test needs to be read by a diagnostic radiologist, and the results go back to your physician. Your physician reads the report and then discusses it with you,” Edwards said. The biggest reason for that policy is that only a medical doctor has the training and experience to make a diagnosis.

There are other reasons too:

Patients are more likely to have a pre-existing relationship with their doctor than their imaging tech. Therefore, patients tend to be more comfortable getting difficult news from their doctor. Doctors also know the patient’s entire medical history, which impacts diagnosis. The tech only has an isolated set of images at their disposal. Finally, patients who get a difficult diagnosis will undoubtedly have follow-up questions. A tech can’t answer these. Only your doctor can discuss your prognosis, treatment options, etc. Edwards said the East Campus offers quick turnaround on tests. Most patients have their results within 48 hours. Also, Edwards said, patients can request a copy of their results after the radiologist reads the test. “People do have a right to see their reports,” she said. However, she stressed the reports should always be discussed with a doctor to create an appropriate treatment plan. For more information or to make an appointment at the East Campus Imaging Center, visit them online here or call 901-515-3600.

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What is the most common cancer diagnosed?

The most common type of cancer on the list is breast cancer, with 290,560 new cases expected in the United States in 2022. The next most common cancers are prostate cancer and lung cancer. Because colon and rectal cancers are often referred to as "colorectal cancers," these two cancer types are combined for the list.

cancer.gov - Common Cancer Types - NCI

This list of common cancer types includes cancers that are diagnosed with the greatest frequency in the United States, excluding nonmelanoma skin cancers: Cancer incidence and mortality statistics reported by the National Cancer Institute and other resources were used to create the list.1 To qualify as a common cancer for the list, the estimated annual incidence for 2022 had to be 40,000 cases or more. The most common type of cancer on the list is breast cancer, with 290,560 new cases expected in the United States in 2022. The next most common cancers are prostate cancer and lung cancer. Because colon and rectal cancers are often referred to as "colorectal cancers," these two cancer types are combined for the list. For 2022, the estimated number of new cases of colon cancer and rectal cancer are 106,180 and 44,850, respectively, adding to a total of 151,030 new cases of colorectal cancer. The following table gives the estimated numbers of new cases and deaths for each common cancer type in 2022: Cancer Type Estimated New Cases Estimated Deaths Bladder 81,180 17,100 Breast (Female – Male) 287,850 – 2,710 43,250 – 530 Colon and Rectal (Combined) 151,030 52,580 Endometrial 65,950 12,550 Kidney (Renal Cell and Renal Pelvis) 79,000 13,920 Leukemia (All Types) 60,650 24,000 Liver and Intrahepatic Bile Duct 41,260 30,520 Lung (Including Bronchus) 236,740 130,180 Melanoma 99,780 7,650 Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma 80,470 20,250 Pancreatic 62,210 49,830 Prostate 268,490 34,500 Thyroid 43,800 2,230

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