A recent blog post discussing second opinions focused on a theoretical patient who was misdiagnosed with cancer and was not helped by a second opinion since it was based on the original biopsy which had been mistakenly switched with another patient's biopsy results. This happened in the case of Darrie Eason, a 35-year old single mother who mistakenly had both breasts removed after a lab mix-up led to her cancer misdiagnosis. When appearing on Good Morning America and asked what could be learned from this, Eason, who herself sought a second opinion, responded "Maybe it's that second opinions are good but second biopsies are better."
In some cases, second biopsies may be necessary when an original biopsy doesn't provide enough detail to make a conclusive diagnosis. However, why should a patient like Darrie Eason be subjected to a second biopsy when seeking a second opinion for the purpose of confirming that the original biopsy belonged to her? This raises many questions about the biopsy evaluation process. It is a complex process with numerous steps and individuals involved (click here for more information), and it is inevitable that complications will occur at some point in this process. Further, research shows that these complications cannot be eliminated by procedural improvements alone (click here for more information).
The know error® system for breast biopsies, introduced in 2010 by Diagnostic ID, LLC, provides a solution to ensure second opinions do not have to mean second biopsies. Through the use of DNA Specimen Provenance Assignment (DSPA) and bar code technology, the know error® system brings new levels of safety and accuracy to the biopsy evaluation process. By peforming DNA matching prior to treatment, the know error® system virtually eliminates diagnostic mistakes due to SPC.
For more information about the know error® system for breast biopsies, please visit our website at www.knowerror.com.
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