Talk to your patients about breast disease

You have been caring for a 32-year-old woman for the past several years. She presented to your office 2 years ago because she noticed a new breast nodule. You examined her and noted marked breast density at her area of concern without an obvious mass. To be thorough, you referred her for mammography; the report stated that the breasts were asymmetrically dense without a distinct mass. You reassured her that her evaluation was negative. Two years later, the patient returned with an obvious mass at the same site. Biopsy revealed an infiltrating ductal carcinoma. Over the next 6 months, she is treated with lumpectomy, axillary node dissection, chemotherapy, and radiation. Shortly thereafter, you receive a letter from her attorney asking for your records. The patient claims that your care resulted in a delay in diagnosis of her breast cancer.