date: 9/12/2005
Best bets for early detection
Learn the important questions to ask your health-care provider when being screened for breast cancer, and understand how to make the best decisions about your own treatment options.
When you need to make important decisions about your health and the health of your loved ones, you need information from experts who have your interests, as a consumer, in mind—just the facts, no drug company advertising. ConsumerReportsHealth.org is your essential resource for trusted, unbiased, independent health information, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Most women should begin annual screening at age 40. Women at high risk should be screened earlier and more often.
While the technical quality of mammography is highly regulated, the government sets few standards for the quality of interpretation. To ensure the best results, ask the following questions:
• Does the facility either specialize in or do a high volume of mammography? Higher volumes are associated with greater detection and lower recall rates.
• Are breast-imaging specialists on staff? One study suggests that specialists detect more cancers than general radiologists.
• Does the facility use a second mammographer or computer-assisted detection system to “double-read” each mammogram?
• Does the facility keep your previous films on file? Comparing mammograms is essential for detecting small changes.
• Does it offer immediate readings and follow-up? A recent study
of more than 8,500 women suggests that those who receive immediate screening results and undergo any follow-up tests within the same office visit have significantly less stress and anxiety than those who had to wait several days for results.
If you suspect you have or are at risk for breast cancer, make an appointment with your doctor soon. Prompt, proper treatment can help limit the spread of breast cancer and restore your quality of life. With many surgical and therapeutic options available, having up-to-date, unbiased information is crucial.
While the technical quality of mammography is highly regulated, the government sets few standards for the quality of interpretation. To ensure the best results, ask the following questions:
• Does the facility either specialize in or do a high volume of mammography? Higher volumes are associated with greater detection and lower recall rates.
• Are breast-imaging specialists on staff? One study suggests that specialists detect more cancers than general radiologists.
• Does the facility use a second mammographer or computer-assisted detection system to “double-read” each mammogram?
• Does the facility keep your previous films on file? Comparing mammograms is essential for detecting small changes.
• Does it offer immediate readings and follow-up? A recent study
of more than 8,500 women suggests that those who receive immediate screening results and undergo any follow-up tests within the same office visit have significantly less stress and anxiety than those who had to wait several days for results.If you suspect you have or are at risk for breast cancer, make an appointment with your doctor soon. Prompt, proper treatment can help limit the spread of breast cancer and restore your quality of life. With many surgical and therapeutic options available, having up-to-date, unbiased information is crucial.
CITATIONS
Barton, MB, et al. “Decreasing women’s anxieties after abnormal mammograms: A controlled trial,” Journal of the National Cancer Institute, April 7, 2004, pp. 529-38.This site is for your information only. For medical advice, consult a health professional.
