W HEALTH MATTERS
Are you dense?
As of Jan. 1, 2012, all mammography facilities in Texas are required by Henda’s Law to inform patients of their level of breast tissue density so women can pursue early breast cancer detection. Myth: Annual mammograms expose you to too much radia-
proved MRI machine specifically
tion and aren’t worth the risk.
designed to image breast tissue.
Reality: While it's true that radiation is used in mammography, the amount is so small that any associated risks are tiny when com-
Myth: Breast cancer
pared to the huge preventive benefits reaped from the test. Mam-
is preventable.
mograms can detect lumps well before they can be felt or otherwise
Reality: Sadly, this is not the
noticed, and the earlier that lumps are caught, the better one's
case. However, it is possible to
chances for survival. The American Cancer Society recommends
identify risk factors such as fam-
women age 40 and older receive a screening mammogram every
ily history, inherited gene muta-
one to two years; for women at high risk for breast cancer, it recom-
tions and dense breast tissue and
mends adding an annual breast MRI and getting screened annually.
make lifestyle changes that can
Mammography misses more than 40 percent of cancers in women with dense breast tissue According to the National Institute of Health and 18 other studies spanning eight countries, breast density is recognized as one of the strongest risk factors associated with development of breast cancer. Breast density represents a stronger risk factor than age or having a first-degree (mom/sister) relative with the disease. Studies have found breast density increases the likelihood of developing breast cancer between 3.6- and 18-fold.
lower your risk, such as reducing or eliminating alcohol consumption, Myth: A negative mammogram means here’s nothing else to worry about. Reality: Despite their importance for breast cancer screening and diagnosis, mammograms fail to detect around 50 percent of
losing weight, getting regular exercise and screenings and quitting smoking. More than 70 percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer have no identifiable risk factors, meaning the disease occurs largely by chance and according to as-yet-unexplained factors.
breast cancers. Mammograms are X-rays, and X-rays are not designed to image soft tissue well. This is why clinical breast exams
Removing the entire breast is better for survival than lumpec-
and, to some extent, breast self-exams are crucial pieces of the
tomy and radiation.
screening process. Want to increase your chances of detecting can-
Reality: Survival rates are about the same for women who have
cer earlier? Combine a mammogram with an ultrasound, since they
mastectomies and for women who choose the breast-conserving
image different tissues. This can raise detection rates to about 75
option of removing only part of the breast and following the sur-
percent. If you have risk factors or past mammograms indicate you
gery with radiation treatments. However, there are some cases
have dense breast tissue, opt for a breast MRI. NOTE: Not all MRI
when lumpectomy and radiation may not be an appropriate treat-
machines are created equal. The Aurora MRI is the only FDA-ap-
ment option.
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