If you’ve ever been called back after a screening mammogram, for either a follow-up diagnostic mammogram, or even worse, for a biopsy, it can be extremely nerve-wracking, to say the least. But what happens when you learn that your results are negative? This finding is called a “false-positive,” and while the results are reassuring, most women can relate to a simultaneous feeling of… Well… Frustration.

At RadNet and Breastlink, we have always emphasized the importance of regular screening mammograms for a long and healthy life. Afterall, studies have long shown that when it comes to breast cancer, early detection is the key to survival. However, a new study conducted by the CDC shows that many women are forgoing mammograms altogether, with only about 65% of women between the ages of 50 - 74 staying up-to-date on their exams. With so much data pointing to the importance of finding breast cancer as early as possible, what’s causing so many women to miss out on potentially life-saving care?

Have you ever had a mammogram and received the report from your radiologist with the words “dense breast tissue” written in the summary? If you were confused by this, you’re not alone.

Dense breast tissue is a significant risk factor for breast cancer. So much so that many states, including California, now require that all women who have dense breasts be informed of this either by letter or on their mammogram report.

Studies have long shown that when it comes to breast cancer, early detection is the key to survival. A recent study found that women who had been regular with their scheduled screening mammography appointments before a cancer diagnosis had a 49% lower risk of breast cancer mortality and a 50% lower risk of breast cancer death within 10 years of diagnosis (Radiology, March 2, 2021).

Question: Lately, I’ve been seeing a lot of ads online promoting breast ultrasound as an alternative to mammography. Is it true that I can have a breast ultrasound instead of a mammogram and still get accurate results?

The general answer to this question is no.

Skipping Mammograms Increases Risk of Breast Cancer Death

When it comes to breast cancer, early detection is the key to survival. It has long been held by experts, including the physicians at RadNet and Breastlink, that the sooner a doctor finds a woman’s cancer, the more likely she is to survive. The connection between mammogram screenings and breast cancer survival rates has been evaluated in multiple studies, and most have demonstrated that early mammogram screenings save lives.

Health organizations drop recommendations for Breast Self-Exams and instead promote Breast Self Awareness.

For over 70 years health care professionals have been advising women to perform regular breast self-exams as a critical screening tool for breast cancer detection. Recently however, there have been conflicting recommendations, leaving patients confused about the whole matter.

Breastlink Women’s Imaging Temecula recently participated in a clinical trial that tested a cancer screening machine designed to differentiate between benign and malignant breast tumors. The goal of the trial was to see whether the machine could reduce false positive diagnoses. It was conducted at 16 academic and private institutions across the nation. Dr. Tchaiko Parris, Director of Breast Imaging at Breastlink Temecula, oversaw the majority of the testing in Southern California.

A lot of women don’t understand why radiologists ask them not to wear deodorant when they come in for a mammogram. Most deodorants and antiperspirants contain aluminum, which blocks sweat ducts and prevents you from perspiring. The amount of aluminum in the average bar of deodorant is small, however, even a small amount is enough to interfere with a mammogram.

Myth: Mammograms are equally effective for all women.

Fact: Up to 50% of small cancers may not be visible on the screening mammogram.