Importance of Mammography in Breast Health: Obtain breast cancer examinations at one of Owensboro Health’s breast imaging facilities to safeguard your health. You will gain access to compassionate and polite medical staff and learn why our patients consistently express high levels of satisfaction with the services we provide.
Importance of Mammography in Breast Health: Breast Imaging Servicess
A physician diagnoses and detects abnormalities in breast tissue using the following tests:
Digital Mammography – Unlike traditional film-screen mammography, digital mammography offers a clearer view of tissue and can detect cancer earlier.
3-D Mammogram (breast tomosynthesis) – Reduces the likelihood of false alarms and can detect breast cancer earlier than conventional mammography; request a 3-D mammogram if a previous mammogram revealed dense breast tissue.
Breast Ultrasound – Examines your tissue using sound vibrations to detect cancer symptoms or an abnormal mammogram result.
An MRI of the breast provides detailed images of tissue areas that are difficult to detect with a mammogram or ultrasound.
Mammography is utilized in stereotactic breast biopsies to identify a specific tissue sample to be extracted and analyzed for cancer.
Accreditation Means Excellent Care
Several Owensboro Health locations are American College of Radiology (ACR)-accredited for breast imaging procedures, which means you receive the following advantages:
- Extensive precautions to guarantee that the test is executed accurately and yields precise outcomes
- Highly competent personnel
- Modernized technology
Adopting a Collaborative Approach: Combating Breast Cancer as a Team
No woman ought to confront the battle against breast cancer in solitude. Furthermore, they are not required to.
An interdisciplinary healthcare team stands in solidarity with each woman enduring the most arduous battle of her life. Their objective is to combine their expertise, knowledge, and experience. They collaborate to assist a woman in regaining her footing and returning to her daily life.
World Mental Health Day Observed at AMU
When detected early, the five-year survival rate for patients with breast cancer is 99 percent.
Importance of Mammography in Breast Health: Data Provided By The American Cancer Society
In their lifespan, approximately 1 in 8 women (12 percent) will be diagnosed with breast cancer. In 2016, an estimated 246,660 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be identified in women, according to the American Cancer Society. In addition, an estimated 61,000 newly diagnosed cases of carcinoma in situ, the earliest non-invasive form of breast cancer, will be identified; the disease will also claim the lives of 40,450 women. The mortality rate associated with breast cancer among women is approximately 3%, or 1 in 36. It ranks second in terms of mortality among women, following lung cancer. Men are occasionally diagnosed with breast cancer, but the incidence rate is approximately 1 in 1,000.
Positive news to share: Breast cancer mortality rates, particularly among women under the age of 50, have been declining for over 25 years. This is primarily due to increased awareness, early detection (particularly mammogram screening), and enhanced treatments. However, only sixty to seventy percent of women who ought to be undergoing screening do so; thus, there is room for improvement.
According to Their Own Phrases
The following describes how certain Owensboro Health providers contribute to the breast cancer care puzzle:
Dr. Patrick Padgett
An increase in the screening interval to every other year for a sizable population could potentially result in the delayed detection of up to 30 percent of cancers, according to his estimation. Since 1990, mammography has significantly contributed to a 30–40 percent reduction in breast cancer mortality in the United States.
In the event that one has a maternal or sibling lineage with breast cancer, Padgett advises initiating mammography screening no later than 40 years prior to the age at which the aforementioned family member was diagnosed with the disease, or ten years prior to the age at which cancer was detected.
Dr John Mulligan
Imaging is indispensable for breast cancer diagnosis and follow-up. Mammography, which detects breast cancer through the use of x-rays and computer technology, is currently the most prevalent test; the technology has evolved and improved consistently over time. Commencing at age 40, the American College of Radiology advises all women to undergo an annual screening mammogram.
We make extensive use of three-dimensional mammography. Two-dimensional mammography introduces an overlapping effect that is eliminated by three-dimensional imaging, allowing for clearer visibility. As breast cancer is a multifaceted disease, additional tests are employed, which comprise the following:
Ultrasound: This technique reveals subtle tissue differences that may be imperceptible on a mammogram by utilizing sound waves.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) provides high-resolution images of the internal structure of the breast through the use of radiofrequency radiation.
Dr. Christopher Glaser
Surgery is frequently the initial treatment option for breast cancer, particularly in its early phases, when the tumor must be removed. The majority of breast cancer operations performed in the United States are carried out by general surgeons. My objective is to develop and adhere to a treatment regimen that will effectively eradicate a patient’s cancer while ensuring she does not perceive a significant improvement in her physical appearance.
Dr. Ryan Abel’s
Oncology of radiation serves numerous functions in breast cancer treatment. In newly diagnosed breast cancer, our primary responsibility is to prevent recurrence of the disease following surgery. Radiation inhibits the multiplication of cancer cells by cleaving their DNA.
Radiation therapy is an effective treatment option for patients with metastasized breast cancer, as it can ameliorate symptoms and enhance overall quality of life. For patients whose breast cancer has metastasized to the brain, radiation therapy can alleviate pain, prevent bone fractures, and prolong survival.
Additionally, technological and methodological advancements in radiation therapy delivery have enabled us to administer the same amount of radiation with greater precision. This permits a reduction in the radiation exposure of healthy tissue. This enables radiation to be administered with fewer treatments and diminished adverse effects.
Dr. Janae Kittinger
As plastic and reconstructive surgeons, it is our responsibility to inform each patient about her breast cancer treatment options in order to close the cycle. Although breast reconstruction is one of the final procedures in cancer treatment, it is an issue that is discussed from the outset with the patient and the entire team.
The timing of reconstruction following cancer excision by a general surgeon, using medical or radiation oncology, or concurrently, contingent upon the specific attributes of the tumor and the patient’s preferences, may be determined. There are a variety of techniques for breast reconstruction, including implant-based and autologous (using the patient’s own tissue) procedures.
The treatment for breast cancer can result in psychological and physical wounds. In our capacity as plastic surgeons, we derive immense satisfaction from restoring to our patients what cancer has taken away: autonomy and the ability to make decisions. The cancer is no longer under control. Indeed, she is.
The Mitchell Memorial Cancer Center of Owensboro Health has received accreditation and recognition from the American College of Radiology and Radiation Oncology Services, the American Accreditation Program for Breast Centers, and the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer. Discover details regarding our cancer services and providers.