Technology improves breast cancer survival rates

MAT-SUT — In 32 years of giving mammograms, Bonnie Sokoloski has seen a world of change, not only in the technology but in attitudes of women about breast health.

When Sokoloski started as a mammographer, there was a stigma attached to breast cancer, she said. Women didn’t feel they could openly discuss personal health issues. As that faded, another impediment took its place.

“Women were mostly fearful of the results,” Sokoloski said. “They didn’t want to know.”

Sokoloski’s colleague at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center, Denise Warren, said she still sees some of that head-in-the-sand mentality, but the women agree more and more there are two new factors keeping women away from the radiology department: confusion and cost.

Late last year, the US Preventive Services Task Force recommended that women younger than 50 who are not in high-risk categories not undergo mammograms. Routine mammograms should begin at 50 and be given every other year.

This group of independent health experts convened by the U.S. Department of Health and Social Services also said self-examinations are of little value.

Sokoloski and Warren say the recommendations could cost lives.

“A lot of women have a lot of confusion over this,” Sokoloski said. It also gives women just another excuse to avoid undergoing the screening, Warren said.

It is particularly upsetting for Warren, whose cousin died at 41 after being diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer while pregnant with her third child at 36. She had no risk factors. Warren, whose eyes well with tears as she talks of her cousin back in Texas, where she is from, pans the altered guideline.

“I totally disagree with that,” she said.

The mammographers said the Food and Drug Administration and the American Cancer Society are among those groups that continue to push the old guidelines, which call for annual mammograms after 40 and self-examinations. Insurance companies generally cover the procedures according to the traditional schedule.

“So far, they’re still paying,” Sokoloski said.

For those without insurance, low-cost and free clinics are available (see page A3).

It’s not just the attitudes that have changed about mammography or the recommendations, but the equipment. Sokoloski started in what might be considered the dark ages of mammography, using industrial film and heavy lead aprons.

“And we thought we were saving the world,” she said.

Sokoloski said the FDA has also standardized mammography.

“You get the same quality X-rays in every facility,” she said. In the Mat-Su, women can choose among MSRHC, Imaging Associates of Providence and soon Alaska Open Imaging.

“We’re not in competition,” Sokoloski said. “We’re more than happy for them to have a mammogram anywhere.”

With technological advances and machines designed with women in mind, the process is safe, effective and relatively painless.

“The radiation exposure has gone down so much,” Sokoloski said. “It’s really low-dose radiation.”

Still, women who experienced mammograms of the mid 20th century can still view the procedure as that relic of the past.

“I still have people who say, ‘My mammogram was so painful I never wanted to have one again,’” Sokoloski said. “Things really have come a long way.”

Another way women get sidetracked from having a mammogram is thinking that without a family history of breast cancer, they are safe. That’s a fallacy, said Warren and Sokoloski.

“We see a lot of people who get breast cancer who don’t have a family history,” Warren said.

With few reasons to avoid mammograms, the two mammographers said it’s important to do one other thing — remember to get one each year after 40.

“Pick a month you are going to remember,” Warren advised. Sometimes, that’s the birth month, or it might be October, which is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Sokoloski said wedding anniversaries are good markers, too.

“Men are really into this,” Sokoloski said. “A husband will say, ‘Our anniversary is a good time.’”

MSRMC sends annual reminder cards to its patients.

Mammograms are important because of what they can find and find more quickly than any other diagnostic technique, the women said.

“I think mammography catches a lot of stuff before you even feel it,” Warren said. Coupled with ultrasound, the technologies are 98 percent effective in finding tissue anomalies, they said, because the two technologies complement each other.

Another tool some women use is thermography. While it cannot diagnose breast cancer by itself, the use of heat technology can raise red flags for mammography to check.

But, they said, it all comes back to the mammogram.

“Mammography is the gold standard across the board,” Sokoloski said.

Both of the women say they are committed to providing the service to women, even if it isn’t something women always appreciate.

“Most people who walk through that door, they don’t want to be here,” Warren said.

But both Warren and Sokoloski love their work, and Sokoloski said every mammographer she knows feels the same way.

“Mammographers choose to be mammographers,” Sokoloski said. “It’s not an occupation but a vocation.”

Both of the women have used their radiology skills in other areas but for them, giving mammograms is the pinnacle.

“I see women’s lives saved on a daily basis,” Sokoloski said. “I love this job.”

IF YOU GO

Those who wish to learn whether they are eligible for a free health check or have questions about the services available may select a local Breast and Cervical Health Check provider from those listed below. Those with questions may call 1-800-410-6266.

Wasilla

• All Seasons Family Healhcare

5461 Mayflower #4

376-4644

• The Family Health Center

950 E. Bogard, Suite 212

357-7771

• Mat-Su Health Services Inc.

1363 W. Spruce Ave.

376-2411

• Neighbor To Neighbor Clinic

500 N. Main St., Suite C

376-3667

• Odland Family Practice

950 E. Bogard Rd. Suite #234

373-0850

Palmer

• Aurora Women’s Health Care &

Sleeping Lady Women’s Health Care

2490 S. Woodsworth Loop, Suite 200

746-7747

• The Family Health Center

425 E. Dahlia, Suite L

745-1777

Talkeetna

• Sunshine Community Health Center

Mile 4.4 Talkeetna Spur Road

733-2273

• James Yates, MD

733-2708

Willow

• Sunshine Community Health Center

Mile 67 Parks Hwy. & Nancy Lks. Pkwy

733-2273