What
I wish I’d known about early
detection:
• I was at
risk. I didn't think it could happen to me, because I was
so healthy and did everything I knew to reduce my risk. I
was a health and fitness professional for 23 years at the
time, doing everything"right". If you are a woman and you
are getting older, you are at risk. Seventy percent of the
time there are
no identifiable risk factors!!!
• That SBE (self breast exam) and CBE (clinical breast
exam) are even more vital for a woman with dense breasts.
Without a mass to examine, or other identified concern a
doctor might see on a mammogram, routine ultrasound or
other imaging is not conducted. I thought a mammogram was
enough.
• Regular, annual mammograms are vital for detecting
small changes that might indicate tumor growth (like
calcifications in unusual shapes and sizes). Avoid skipping
years or changing facilities without bringing your prior
films.
• Film mammography sensitivity is only 30-55% for
women with dense breasts. Digital mammography takes it up
to 70% in a best case scenario (quality equipment,
operator, and interpreting radiologist), but that still
leaves 30% or greater where cancers can be missed (in women
with dense breasts).
• Ultrasound has proven to increase the number of
cancers detected by 67-100% in studies at single
institutions. In addition, small invasive cancers have been
found with this technology, usually before the cancer has
spread to the lymph nodes. But remember, in most centers
you must have an identified area of concern before
ultrasound would be done; hence the need for SBE, CBE, and
RAM (regular, annual mammograms).
For more information and a Q & A about breast density,
click on breast cancer facts to the
left.
I
devised acronyms to help you remember to take action
with
SCRAM
exams© and to be FEISTY© with your actions!!
SCRAM exams©
S
self-breast exam,
monthly
C
clinical exam by
your doctor, yearly
RAM
regular, annual
mammograms after 40-don't skip a year
And
if you have a lump, or other identified concern,
be
FEISTY© with
your actions.
F
follow-up and
E
evaluate
I imaging
(further imaging)
S
surgeon (with a
breast surgeon when possible)
T
trust…
Y
YOUR
intuition!
A special
thanks to Wendie Berg, MD, PhD, FACR, Breast Imaging
Consultant and Study Chair for the American
College of Radiology Imaging Network (ACRIN) Protocol
on Screening Breast Ultrasound, for reviewing the
material presented for content and
accuracy
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