Early Detection Decreases Breast Cancer Mortality!
Breast Cancer is the most commonly diagnosed, and second leading cause of cancer in women. During the month of October, our goal is to bring awareness and educate our patients about the importance of routine mammograms.
The American College of Radiology (ACR) recommends annual screening mammography exams for women of average risk starting at age 40. For women with higher than normal risk; women with a calculated risk of 20% or greater, first degree relative with breast cancer, history of chest radiation at a young age, should start screening mammograms before 40.
Breast Cancer Facts:
- According to the National Cancer Institute, a woman has a 1 in 8 chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime;
- Women with a BRCA 1 or 2 gene mutations are more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer at a younger age, or may develop in both breasts;
- Women with dense breasts have a 1.2-2 times greater risk of developing breast cancer than that of women with average breast density;
- Society of Breast Imaging (SBI) and the American College of Radiology (ACR) recommend screening MRI’s for women previously diagnosed with breast cancer;
Mammography and Breast Density Facts:
- Digital Breast Tomosynthesis (DBT) detects roughly 37% more breast cancers than traditional mammography;
- Breast density is related to a woman’s age, pre or post-menopausal status, ethnicity, body habitus, and childbearing or breastfeeding status;
- Dense breast tissue is comprised of more connective tissue than fatty tissue
To learn more about breast density and breast screening, check out the links below:
Make Your Appointment
To make your screening appointment, please call our office at 703-824-3260. Please note that some screening exams require a referral from your physician.
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