This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Lourdes Surgeon Urges Women Age 40 and Older to Have Annual Mammograms and Breast Exams to Prevent Breast Cancer

The American Cancer Society urges yearly screening for all women ages 40 and older.  The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends against routine screening for women ages 40 to 49 and instead recommends screening every two years for women ages 50 to 74. 

The varying recommendations can lead to a lot of confusion for women, but according to Lisa Medvetz, MD, FACS, surgeon at Lourdes Medical Center of Burlington County, women should not let mixed messages about screening guidelines deter them from getting an annual mammogram.

“Mammograms can save lives,” says Dr. Medvetz.  “The death rate from breast cancer has dropped by about 30 percent over the past 30 years. That’s largely thanks to mammograms.  Also, it’s important that women get their regular mammogram along with a clinical breast exam.  Together, these tests can help us to identify at-risk patients, which can lead to a greater range of prevention and treatment options.”

Find out what's happening in Cinnaminsonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

According to recent research, reasons why women do not participate in mammographic screening include confusion over what mammography can and cannot do, as well as confusion about how often a woman should be screened in accordance with their age.  One recent study found that women who received reminder letters from their healthcare plan, primary care physician and counseling by health workers had higher screening rates than those who did not.

“While a healthy woman with no symptoms may not feel she needs to get her screening as often, breast cancer may not be associated with symptoms until later in the disease process,” says Dr. Medvetz.  “The short time it takes to get a mammogram can make all the difference.”

Find out what's happening in Cinnaminsonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Dr. Medvetz adds that for women who are diagnosed with breast cancer, there are more treatment advances today than years ago. “Before 1980, women were treated mostly with mastectomies.  It’s a lot different now.  For example, brachytherapy is a radiation therapy technique in which radioactive seeds are implanted in a woman’s breast through a temporary installation device, which is left in for five to seven days.  This therapy does not affect as much non-diseased tissue or skin.”

Dr. Medvetz also notes how digital mammography is now available.  While both traditional X-ray film and digital mammograms provide clear inside views of the breast, digital technology offers additional benefits, particularly for women younger than age 50 and/or those with dense breasts.  The benefits include:

  • No waiting:  Digital mammograms can be read right away on a computer monitor by a certified radiologist.  There’s no waiting for film to develop.  That means no chance for dust, dirt or scratches to mar the film. There’s also less chance it’ll need to be retaken.
  • Image Refinement:  The images can be refined during viewing. The radiologist can adjust brightness, contrast and clarity for the best image.
  • Storage:  Digital mammograms are stored on a computer.  They can be sent electronically to other experts if needed.

Dr. Medvetz says the bottom line is for women to talk with their doctors about their risk factors to decide when to start getting mammograms or how often. “It’s also important for women to know that while a mammogram may be negative, mammograms fail to detect 10 percent to 20 percent of breast cancers.  I’ve had patients where a lump was found in an exam but not on the mammogram.  That’s why the clinical breast exams are just as important to the screening process.”

Digital mammography is available at Lourdes Medical Center of Burlington County and Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center.  To schedule a mammogram at either hospital, visit www.lourdesnet.org and click on “Request an Outpatient Testing Appointment” or call 1-888-LOURDES.

To receive a free American Cancer Society mammogram reminder, go online to:http://acsremindme.com/hma/modify_subscription.php?CID=288

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?