Self Analysis Is Best For Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Monday, 14 June 2010 04:13 |

Physicians recommend annual mammograms in most women under age 50 inspite of U.S. Preventive Services Task Force raising issues with their usefulness.

According to Dr. Katherine Lee, co-director of the High-Risk Clinic and director of the lymphedema program at the Cleveland Clinic's Breast Center, in reality, only half of the elligible women in the age group of 40 and above with family history of breast cancer are following the regular process of breast cancer screening. Dr. Lee also says that its quiet normal for a woman to be paranoid about the process of squeezing, pulling, squishing and flattening that come with a mammogram. However, it remains the gold standard of breast-cancer screenings for more than 40 years. Other options for women who are healthy, have no family history and aren't carriers for one of two genes that can cause breast cancer are limited.

“We've got our work cut out for us,” Lee said. “We realize [women] want a test that's not as uncomfortable and a little quicker with fewer false negatives.” And still, “We hear many times, 'My mother's breast cancer wasn't picked up (on) a mammogram,' “Lee said.

Dr. Lauren Kinsell, medical director of breast radiology at Summa Health System, said her staff hears a variety of reasons why women prefer other tests over a mammogram. "There are some women who refuse mammograms because they have implants and they're afraid that it will rupture them," she said. "Generally, that is not a concern."

There are others who are afraid that if they have already had breast cancer, a mammogram could spread new cancer to the other breast which is also an incorrect concept.

Quiet unfortunately, mammograms cannot detect all breast cancers, especially inflammatory breast cancer, which usually doesn't start as a solid tumor.

Researchers continue to study methods that could one day supplant mammography. Scintimammography (molecular breast imaging), Thermography (infrared mammography) and digital tomosynthesis, which produces 3-D images of the breast are predicted to become first-line treatments in the future.

In the meantime, mammography and breast self-exams remain the best starting points. When in doubt, talk to your physician.

Source: cleveland dot com

Tags: Mammograms - Breast Cancer

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