Breast cancer is the number one cancer in women and second to lung cancer in cancer deaths in women. Mammography has long been a mainstay in the battle for early diagnosis and prevention.
Mammograms should be done every 1-2 yrs after the age of 40 according to the National cancer Institute, and many physicians, including myself, recommend starting @ age 35 to get a baseline and possibly earlier if a women is at high risk.
Newer techniques such as digital mammography that allow direct storage of images on disc rather than conventional film images are now available.
Digital mammography has been shown to be better in screening women who fit in one of three categories:
- under age 50
- any age with extremely dense breasts, and pre- or perimenopausal women of any age; and has no obvious benefit if a woman who fits all the following categories (when compared to film mammography)
- over age 50, does not have dense breasts and not menstruating.
Increased risk factors for breast cancer include some of the following:
- Precancerous changes on breast biopsy
- Family history in sister, mother or daughter (especially if prior to age 50)
- Prior breast cancer in patient
- Age factors include early onset menses or late menopause later or no childbearing
- Obesity and overweight in menopause
- Physical inactivity and/or increased alcohol consumption
- Prior radiation to the chest before age 30 or hormone replacement therapy
- BRCA1 and BRCA2 carriers-genetic alterations
Breast cancer risk increases with age statistically. Mammography and clinical breast exam (health care professional) as well as SBE (self breast exam) are important tools in the fight against breast cancer and affords the best opportunity to diagnose it early and save lives. The best chance to cure this disease is early diagnosis; even though in some cases of aggressive processes, the chance for cure is significantly reduced.
http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp145.cfm
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/breast
Nathan H. Rabhan, M.D., F.A.C.O.G.



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