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they have a greater than 1 in 5 chance
women should still be aware of and
of developing breast cancer during
check themselves regularly for lumps
their lifetime. On the other hand, the
developing in the breast or axilla (armUSPSTF recommends women have
pit), especially if they have a family hisannual mammograms beginning at age
tory of breast cancer” said Dr. Harston.
50 and ending when they reach the
“If a young woman has a family history
age of 74. They also recommend the
of breast cancer they should consider
frequency of breast screenings be every
starting screening early with mammoBy Sarah Wilder, Lexington Clinic
two years instead of every year. They
grams and/or breast MRI. We offer
suggest that women with risk factors
free risk assessments to women who are
for breast cancer start getting mammoconcerned about their risk to determine
1 out of every 8 women (12%) will
fighting this disease, because treatment
grams earlier after consulting with their
if they qualify for extra screening with
develop invasive breast cancer in their
is more effective when cancer is caught
physicians.
breast MRI.”
lifetime. This year alone, more than
early. Furthermore, early detection
The Center for Breast Care at
“If at
40 thousand women will die from
with mammograms reduces the severLexington Clinic supports the
any point a
breast cancer. However alarming those
ity of treatment. For example, breast
American Cancer
Society’s
recommenwoman, or
Ronald
Reagan
was the 40th president.
numbers may be, the good news is that
conserving therapy is adequate in most
dation for yearly mammograms beginher primary
“The
Golden
werethis
fast
becoming friends on theircare
firstphysiseason
many of these deaths can be prevented
cancers caught at an early stage
whereas
ning atGirls”
age 40 because
regimen
with yearly screening mammograms.
removing the entire breast and addclearly saves the most number of lives.
cian, detects
Athegallon
cost
As important as mammograms are,
ing chemotherapy may be necessary
Even
USPSTFof
hasgas
admitted
thatone dollar and twentya cents.
new breast
only 67% of women ages 40 years and
when the cancer has reached advanced
this would save far more lives compared
lump, an
older have received one within the last
stages.”
with their recommendations. Some are
appointment
two years. Common excuses about this
Currently, there are two sets of
concerned that USPSTF recommendawith a breast
procedure, including, “It hurts,” “I’m
recommendations for breast cancer
tions are influenced more by public
imager should
too young to get breast cancer,” “I hear
screening, one recommended by the
health policies and economic issues
be made,”
Chad W. Harston, M.D. Dr. Harston
it’s cold,” and “They’re too expensive,”
American Cancer Society (ACS) and
rather than clinical experience.
keep women from having this simple
differing recommendations by the
While recommendations differ on
continued.
procedure, which in some cases could
U.S. Preventative Services Task Force
when regular mammograms should
“Mammograms and breast ultrasound
be lifesaving.
(USPSTF).
begin, the medical community agrees
are used to determine if the lump is
“Yearly screening mammograms are
The American Cancer Society’s
on one thing: doing nothing is not
caused by something benign like a cyst
the best way to detect breast cancer
longstanding recommendation is for
encouraged. Women as young as 20
or if it represents a tumor. If a cancer is
early in most women” said Chad W.
women to have yearly mammograms
years old should begin receiving clinifound, additional imaging with breast
Harston, M.D., Lexington Clinic physiRonald Reagan
was
the
Reagan
40thMRI
was
president.
40th president.
beginning at age 40. Also the ACS
cal breast examinations
andRonald
also
begin
isthe
extremely
helpful to determine
cian and the only fellowship-trained
recommends that women with a fam- “The Golden
checkingGirls”
themselves
home
for
any fast
how
is.TV.
Knowing
“The
Golden
wereatfast
Girls”
becoming
were
friends
becoming
onadvanced
theirfriends
first the
season
ondisease
their
onfirst
season on TV
mammographer in Central Kentucky.
ily history of breast cancer should get
concerning
changes.
this
allows
physicians
to determine
A gallon
of gas
A gallon
cost one
of dollar
gas cost
and
one
twenty
dollar
cents.
and twenty
cents. the
“Detecting breast cancer early is key to
additional screening with breast MRI if
“While breast cancer is more combest treatment for the patient.”
mon among older women, younger
Battling the
Mammogram Excuses
T H E HHH