Breast cancer screening can save lives

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month—the perfect time to discuss the importance of mammography. Because breast cancer is often detectable in its early stages when there’s a good chance for a cure, breast cancer screening is essential.

Most significantly, mammography is an important line of defense against breast cancer because it can identify tumors even before they can be felt.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, aside from non-melanoma skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States. It is also one of the leading causes of cancer death among women of all races. Only lung cancer kills more women each year.

The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 252,700 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women in the United State during 2017, and about 40,600 women will die from breast cancer during 2017.

Death rates from breast cancer dropped from 1989 to 2007. Since 2007, breast cancer death rates have remained steady in women younger than 50, but have continued to decrease in older women. Researchers believe the decrease is the result of finding breast cancer earlier through screening and increased awareness, as well as better treatments.

The National Cancer Institute recommends that women age 40 or older have screening mammograms every 1 to 2 years. If a woman is at high risk for developing breast cancer, her doctor may recommend screening at a younger age, along with additional imaging studies.

Screening and diagnostic mammography

A conventional screening mammogram is a low-dose X-ray test that creates images of breast tissue so doctors can check for lesions or other abnormalities. The x-ray images make it possible to detect tumors that cannot be felt, and can find microcalcifications (tiny deposits of calcium) that sometimes indicate the presence of breast cancer.

A mammogram used to check for breast cancer after a lump or other sign or symptom of the disease is called a diagnostic mammogram. Besides a lump, signs of breast cancer can include breast pain, thickening of the skin of the breast, nipple discharge, or a change in breast size or shape; however, these signs may also be signs of benign or non-cancerous breast conditions.

3D digital mammography

Women who undergo a routine screening mammogram at Mat-Su Regional Medical Centerhave up-to-date diagnostic technology available with 3D digital mammography. Mat-Su Regional was the first imaging center to offer this service in the Valley. The advantage of 3D mammography is that it produces clearer images and greater accuracy when compared with traditional digital mammography. This leads to earlier detection.

3D digital images provide doctors with better visibility of the breast, chest wall and dense breast tissue. Through computer-aided technology, radiologists are able to enhance certain areas of the images to get a more precise picture of a patient’s condition.

For women with private insurance, the cost of screening mammograms is usually covered without copayments or deductibles, but women should contact their mammography facility or health insurance company for confirmation. In addition, Medicare pays for annual screening mammograms for all female Medicare beneficiaries age 40 or older.

About the Author: Valerie Clark is an Advanced Nurse Practitioner, National Certified Menopause Practitioner with Mat-Su Women’s Health Specialists in Palmer. Mat-Su Women’s Health is welcoming new patients. To schedule an appointment, call 746-7747 or visit the website at www.MatSuWomensHealth.com. Mat-Su Women’s Health Specialists is located at 2490 S. Woodworth Loop in Palmer and is a preferred provider for many insurance plans, and is Medicare and Medicaid friendly.

Remember this information is not intended to replace the advice of your medical provider, but rather to increase awareness and help equip patients with information to facilitate conversations with their healthcare provider.