October is breast cancer awareness month with many events worldwide carried out with the goal of enhancing awareness to breast cancer, especially early diagnosis.
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women in the western world. Israel has one of the highest rates of breast cancer with approximately 4000 women diagnosed annually.
The good news is that most of these women will be cured thanks to early diagnosis and advanced treatments.
Early diagnosis is the most important key for achieving cure; in the early stages more than 90% of the patients are cured of the disease, with survival decreasing greatly if the disease is diagnosed at a later stage.
Mammography is the most commonly used test for screening for breast cancer, and the only modality which has been proven to reduce mortality from the disease. Annual or bi-annual mammography is recommended from the age of 40 or 50 depending on a women's risk for breast cancer.
However, mammography has its limitations, thus, in certain cases it is recommended to enhance mammography with additional tests such as breast ultrasound or MRI. These tests are performed in addition to mammography, not instead of it.
Physical examination by a doctor also has an important role in early diagnosis of breast cancer. Even though it is rare to discover a mass on physical examination which was not detected on mammography or ultrasound, a physical examination is important in order to know your breasts and pick up any changes, thus being able to determine if there is need for further tests or follow-up. In addition, a physical examination by a physician is recommended for women under the age of 40, who do undergo regular mammographic screening.
Remember: EARLY DIAGNOSIS SAVES LIVES! See your doctor for a breast examination and discuss having a mammogram.
Dr. Tamar Sella
Director of the Diagnostic Breast Center
Hadassah Ein Kerem.