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ACR Restates Support for Regular Mammograms

U.S. Study Shows Mammograms Save Lives



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Mammography Saves Lives
News Releases and Media Room

  • Breast Diagnostic Center
    MQSA Inspection Reports Zero Deficiencies
    at Breast Diagnostic Center


    • The Breast Diagnostic Center passed the Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) inspections with zero deficiencies this month. Established in 1994, the MQSA states that all mammography facilities must be inspected and certified by the US Food and Drug Administration to continue operating lawfully.


      Thorough screening decreases the chance of cases going undetected, and increases women’s treatment options and survival odds. However, healthy women undergoing necessary routine screens also need protection from risks such as excessive radiation or needless biopsies from false interpretations. MQSA inspections help provide that protection.


      "It is certainly our expectation at the Breast Diagnostic Center that we would always pass our MQSA inspection with nothing less than zero deficiencies,” Marita Dwight-Smith, Manager and Director of Process Improvement, said. “It’s important for women to know they’re getting the best and safest care possible. We’re proud to provide a knowledgeable, skilled and safe environment here at the Breast Diagnostic Center."


      The MQSA inspection standards outline issues such as accreditation, definitions of services and requirements, and explanations of standards. The inspections are designed to ensure women that the facility produces and interprets mammograms safely and accurately.


  • U.S. Preventative Task Force
    Controversial New Guidelines


    • In the November 17th issue of Annals of Internal Medicine, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) updated its recommendations on screening for breast cancer (see www.annals.org), creating much media attention and confusion and worry by women across the country. The controversial guidelines include the following:


      • The USPSTF recommends against routine screening mammography in women age 40 to 49. The decision to start regular, biennial screening mammography before the age of 50 years should be an individual one and take patient context into account, including the patient's values regarding specific benefits and harms.

      • The USPSTF recommends biennial screening mammography for women aged 50 to 74 years.

      • The USPSTF recommends against teaching breast self-examination (BSE).

  • Breast Diagnostic Center
    Official Response and Position


    • At the Breast Diagnostic Center, we don’t want women to take the risk. Early detection, with annual mammograms, has helped to identify 25 newly diagnosed breast-cancer patients under 50 in the last year at the Brest Diagnostic Center. For this reason, the physicians at FWRadiology and Breast Diagnostic Center continue to support and recommend the guidelines promoted by the American Cancer Society and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. These guidelines call for the following:


      • Annual mammograms for women beginning at age 40.

      • Women at high risk should get a mammogram and MRI annually.

      • All women, beginning in their 20’s, should adopt the practice of breast self-exams on a regular basis.


      The recent research released should NOT be a cause for concern. Women should continue to be empowered and proactive about leading a healthy life. This includes annual diagnostic mammograms. If there are questions, ask them. Women are encouraged to consult directly with their Physician.

      The message is simple. Mammograms continue to be an important tool in saving lives of women. Make use of them. There’s no reason to change course. Continue with the same guidelines you have over the years and be proactive about your breast health.

  • American Cancer Society
    Guidelines for the Early Detection of Breast Cancer


    • To follow are the published guidelines from the American Cancer Society for the early detection of breast cancer:


      • Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40 and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.

      • Clinical breast exam (CBE) should be part of a periodic health exam, about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s and every year for women 40 and over.

      • Women should know how their breasts normally feel and report any breast change promptly to their health care providers. Breast self-exam (BSE) is an option for women starting in their 20s.

      • Women at high risk (greater than 20% lifetime risk) should get an MRI and a mammogram every year. Women at moderately increased risk (15% to 20% lifetime risk) should talk with their doctors about the benefits and limitations of adding MRI screening to their yearly mammogram. Yearly MRI screening is not recommended for women whose lifetime risk of breast cancer is less than 15%.


  • American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
    Guidelines for Early Detection of Breast Cancer


    • The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists currently recommends and publishes the following guidelines:


      • Screening mammography every 1-2 years for women aged 40-49 years.

      • Screening mammography every year for women age 50 or older.

      • Breast self exams; a breast self exam has the potential to detect palpable breast cancer and can be recommended.


      The following link is the official response to the New Breast Cancer Screening Recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force:
      http://www.acog.org/from_home/Misc/uspstfResponse.cfm
      The following link is the official ACOG interpretation of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Breast Cancer Screening Recommendations: http://www.acog.org/from_home/Misc/uspstfInterpretation.cfm


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Why should I do a breast self-exam?

Monthly breast self-exams (BSE) can help you know how your breasts normally feel and look, so you can notice any changes. Most breast changes or lumps are not cancerous, but only a health care provider can tell you for sure. BSE is recommended to be performed at the same time every month, a few days after your period ends.

What am I looking for when I do a breast self-exam?

You are looking for a lump or change that stands out as different from the rest of your breast tissue. If you find a lump or other change in your breast, examine the other breast. If both breasts feel the same, the lumpiness is probably normal. As you get to know your breasts better by doing breast self-exams, you should be able to tell the difference between your normal lumpiness and a possible change.

If you experience any of these changes, you should see your health care provider right away.

What is the difference between a screening and diagnostic mammogram?

Screening mammography is an exam for women who have no symptoms of breast cancer. Diagnostic mammography may include additional views of the breast and is used when an abnormality is found during screening or in women who have breast complaints, such as a breast mass, nipple discharge, breast pain or skin irritation. A diagnostic mammogram requires a physician order.

What should I expect during a mammogram?

A mammogram takes approxiamtely 15 minutes and can be scheduled by you or your physician. During the mammogram, two to four pictures of each breast may be taken. Compression is necessary to spread the tissue to allow better detection at the lowest radiation dosage.

Are mammograms painful?

Breast compression may cause slight discomfort for a brief time during each x-ray, but it should not be painful. To lessen this discomfort, you should abstain from caffeine intake for two weeks prior to your appointment. The Mammo pad is a foam pad which may lessen your discomfort. Just ask the technologist at the time of your mammogram.

How do I prepare for a mammogram?

Before scheduling a mammogram, the American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends that you discuss any new findings or problems in your breasts with your doctor. In addition, inform your doctor of any prior surgeries, hormone use, and family or personal history of breast cancer.

Do not schedule your mammogram for the week before your period if your breasts are usually tender during this time. The best time for a mammogram is one week following your period. Always inform your doctor or x-ray technologist if there is any possibility that you are pregnant

The ACS also recommends you:

What are the new guidelines for receiving a mammogram?

If you are confused about the recent mammogram guidelines announced by the U.S. Preventative Task Force, you are not alone. The recommendation for women in their 40s to forgo mammograms and women aged 50 to 74 get mammograms every other year rather than once a year has been met with harsh criticism from other medical experts.

At the Breast Diagnostic Center, we believe this announcement is no cause for concern and you should continue to be empowered and proactive about leading a healthy life.

Early detection, along with annual mammograms, has helped to identify 25 newly diagnosed breast-cancer patients under 50 in the last year at the Breast Diagnostic Center. For this reason, the physicians at FWRadiology and Breast Diagnostic Center continue to support and recommend the guidelines promoted by the American Cancer Society and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists that annual mammograms for women should begin at age 40.

Mammograms should continue to be an important tool in saving lives of women.