In the News

by Abe Pera, D.O. FAOCR, The Times-Standard, 10/03/06.

Breast cancer is the most common non-skin cancer malignancy in women and is the second leading cause of death in women after lung cancer. An estimated 200,000 new breast cancer cases are diagnosed in American women per year with approximately 40,000 deaths attributed to breast cancer annually. The risk of developing breast cancer progressively increases with age. At age 40 to 49 approximately 1.5 percent of women will develop breast cancer. The likelihood of developing breast cancer also increases with certain risk factors that include having had breast cancer previously, or having an immediate family member such as a mother or sister with breast cancer.

In our effort to diagnose the disease early, and at a time when there is the highest probability of cure, mammography has proven to be the examination of choice. Mammography is an examination of the breasts which utilizes X-rays. This procedure does expose the breasts to radiation however, over the years the radiation dosage has been markedly reduced. Present radiation dose from mammography is similar to exposure from normal background radiation for three months. Significantly greater exposure to radiation occurs when people live in high altitudes such as Denver, Colo. The exposure from mammography is significantly less than from a chest X-ray or CT scan. The benefits of screening mammography far outweigh the risks incurred from the radiation exposure. Other modalities for evaluating breast cancer include ultrasound which uses sound waves to create images, and MRI which utilizes strong magnetic fields. Neither ultrasound nor MRI uses radiation.

Mammography has been the most sensitive way of screening for breast cancer in women. Many studies have proven its efficacy to save lives. Mammography effectiveness is limited in women who are younger than 50 years of age, women with dense breast tissue, and women who are taking hormonal replacement therapy. These women benefit from the use of digital mammography equipment. This equipment is similar to the digital cameras where an image can be manipulated to increase its sensitivity to evaluate suspicious areas. In addition, computer assistance can be performed to further increase the sensitivity of finding early cancers.

If a suspicious area is identified on the mammogram, further evaluation can be obtained using ultrasound or MRI. In addition, minimally invasive biopsies can be performed using stereotactic mammography, ultrasound, or MRI to provide a diagnosis of an abnormality. All of these procedures are available in our community. Further, if the patient requires surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy, these also can be performed locally without the need to leave our community.

Recommendations for screening for breast cancer are generally accepted to begin at the age of 40 with mammography. Follow-up examinations on an annual basis are recommended. No specific age to cease screening is recommended. This should be a decision made by the individual and her physician. A patient at high risk may begin screening at an earlier age, and at times MRI may be added as an additional procedure.

Mammography is the recommended means of evaluating the general population of women for breast cancer to ensure early detection, prompt treatment, and the highest probability of cure. Other tools include ultrasound and MRI. All of these modalities are available in our community.

In recognition of the fact that October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Humboldt Radiology, Jerald Phelps Community Hospital, Mad River Community Hospital, Redwood Memorial Hospital, St. Joseph Hospital, and Sutter Coast Hospital join with the American Cancer Society (ACS) and the Humboldt Community Breast Health Project to announce the second annual Free Mammogram Drawing. The drawing will be held at ACS on Oct. 30 at 3 p.m. This year there will be a total of 25 free mammograms. Each winner will receive a certificate for the mammography facility of their choice as well as a gift basket. Entries will be accepted until noon on Oct. 30. To enter the drawing and to receive a free packet of breast health information, call ACS at 442-1436, extension 3. Spanish speakers may enter the drawing by calling HCBHP at 825-8345, extension 135.

For more information about breast health and breast cancer you may call the Humboldt Community Breast Health Project at 825-8345. HCBHP, located at 987th Eighth St. in Arcata, is a community resource of education, hope and support for women experiencing a breast health concern, breast cancer or gynecologic cancer and is open to the public Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Evening appointments can be made by special arrangement. If you would like information about financial assistance for screening, HCBHP can help by connecting you to local resources.

Dr. Abe Pera is a radiologist in Eureka.