It started with a study of 10,000 mammograms taken at a surgeon-run breast health center in South Africa.

Both South Africa and the United States have known shortages of radiologists who are trained to interpret the breast images so that a diagnosis is spot-on.

To test just how well breast surgeons could analyze a mammogram, Justus Apffelstaedt, MD, an associate professor of surgery and head of the University of Stellenbosch’s Breast Clinic and colleagues, created a database of mammograms done between January, 2003 and June, 2009.

A separate data base contained the patients’ vital data, including:

• Age
• Previous breast surgery
• Confirmed cancer cases
• Therapy records

Each mammogram was then read by two breast surgeons and his answers jotted down.

Results: The surgeons’ readings were equivalent to the results of screening programs run by specialized breast radiologists in Europe and in Australia.

But the breast surgeons scored even higher than dedicated radiologists in the United States.

The finding could be useful because valuable time can be saved.

One important measurement of the skill of the person reading and interpreting mammograms is known as the “recall rate.”

That means the patient must go back for another mammogram because the first was inconclusive. Physicians who needlessly send patients back for another mammogram waste precious time if indeed a case of cancer is present.

But the breast surgeons “bounce back” rate was about the same as European and Aussie radiologists and a little better than American radiologist.

Adds Dr. Apffelstaedt: “Breast surgeons are a highly qualified source for second opinions….women should take advantage of this.”

(Read more about the breast surgeon study.)

Added Deanna Attai, M.D., chair for the Communications Committee for the American Society of Breast Surgeons (ABBrS), and director of the Center for Breast Care in Burbank, California: “There are countless examples of a surgeon finding something on a mammogram that might have been missed by their radiologist.”

What does all this mean for you, the patient? Just ask your breast surgeon what experience he or she had reading mammograms.

Top Ten Questions to Ask:

1.    Are you certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and where do you have hospital privileges?

2.    How many breast enhancements do you perform every month?
(Surgeons who do many breast augmentation surgeries each month produce less bruising and swelling because they disturb fewer tissues. You’ll heal faster and go back to work sooner.)

3.    Have you performed a breast augmentation on any of your staff or any patients that may   be waiting for a follow-up visit? May I speak to one or two?

4.    Which breast implant size, texture and filling (saline or silicone) best suits my frame and body size?

5.    Do you have any technique that can give me an idea of what my breast size will look like before going ahead with surgery? Do you have a list of frequently asked questions?

6.    How long can I expect a breast implant to last before I need another surgery?

7.    Which incision placement for the implants do you prefer and why?
(Implants can be inserted through the areola, the armpit or the belly button)

8.    Do you prefer to place breast implants over or under the chest muscle? Why?

9.    Would you give me the total cost of plastic surgery, including surgeon, anesthesiologist and O.R. fees, along with any charges for post-op special garments and medications?  May I have it writing?

10.    How long will my recovery take and are there any special post-op instructions?

How would breast augmentation suit you? See more questions about breast augmentation or view some before and after breast augmentation photos.