Mammography News and Research

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A mammogram is a safe test used to look for any problems with a woman's breasts. The test uses a special, low-dose x-ray machine to take pictures of both breasts. The results are recorded on x-ray film or directly onto a computer for a radiologist to examine.

Mammograms allow the doctor to have a closer look for breast lumps and changes in breast tissue. They can show small lumps or growths that a doctor or woman may not be able to feel when doing a clinical breast exam. "Mammography" is the best screening tool that doctors have for finding breast cancer.

If a lump is found, your doctor may order other tests, such as ultrasound or a biopsy--a test where a small amount of tissue is taken from the lump and area around the lump. The tissue is sent to a lab to look for cancer or changes that may mean cancer is likely to develop. Breast lumps or growths can be benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer). Finding breast cancer early means that a woman has a better chance of surviving the disease. There are also more choices for treatment when breast cancer is found early.

Decline in HT use could lead to lower mammogram rates among women

A new analysis has found that a decline in hormone therapy (HT) use among women aged 50 to 64 years is linked with lower mammogram rates among these women.

22 Aug 2011

St. Joseph's Women's Hospital inaugurates new 64-suite neonatal intensive care unit

Most expectant mothers enjoy optimistic dreams of delivering a healthy baby and soon leaving the hospital with their new bundle of joy.

20 Aug 2011

Study examines link between spirit consumption and risk of acute pancreatitis

A study on the effect of different alcoholic beverages and drinking behaviour on the risk of acute pancreatitis was conducted, using the Swedish Mammography Cohort and Cohort of Swedish Men, to study the association between consumption of spirits, wine and beer and the risk of acute pancreatitis.

12 Aug 2011

Guided Therapeutics initiates human trial for light-based Barrett's Esophagus detection technology

Guided Therapeutics, Inc., developer of a rapid and painless testing platform that uses biophotonics for the early detection of disease, today announced that it has begun human testing of its light-based detection technology for Barrett's Esophagus, a precursor for esophageal cancer. The technology is being jointly developed with Konica Minolta Opto of Japan.

11 Aug 2011

Women, doctors should communicate about overall health and breast cancer screenings

Due to changing guidelines concerning when and how often they should first be screened for breast cancer with mammograms, many women are confused. The American Cancer Society recommends women 40 years and older get a mammogram every year, but the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends mammograms every other year for women older than 50.

10 Aug 2011

PSI develops new breast cancer diagnostic method

The Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) has developed a new breast cancer diagnostic method, and is now carrying out first tests on non-preserved human tissue in conjunction with the Kantonsspital Baden AG. This new method should be able to reveal structures that cannot be seen using conventional mammography. Standard procedures only determine the extent to which X-rays are attenuated by various tissue structures.

2 Aug 2011

Dense breasts raise risk of breast cancer

A new study supported by the National Cancer Institute found a higher cancer risk for women with dense breasts. It's the tissue in women's breast that can differ by heredity, from more fatty to more dense tissue. Fatty tissue shows up dark on a mammogram, but fibrous or dense tissue shows up white. So do small tumors, which can make them hard to find. The study was published in the July 27 online edition of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

27 Jul 2011

Research roundup: Restricting Medigap coverage; Hospital-acquired infections

Increases In Mortality, Length Of Stay, And Cost Associated With Hospital-Acquired Infections In Trauma Patients -- This study explores the clinical and economic burden of hospital-acquired infections, the most common complication in hospitalized patients, for trauma patients.

22 Jul 2011

Komen for the Cure applauds new mammography guidelines

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' new recommendation that women begin getting mammograms annually beginning at the age of 40 is a victory for women's health that opens a door to early detection of breast cancer for millions, officials with Susan G. Komen for the Cure said today.

21 Jul 2011

SBI, ACR applaud updated ACOG mammography recommendations

The American College of Radiology (ACR) and Society of Breast Imaging applaud and support updated American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' (ACOG) recommendations that women begin getting annual mammograms at age 40.

21 Jul 2011

Nearly 700 participants to attend Fifth National Summit on Women Veterans' Issues

Over 700 participants plan to attend the Fifth National Summit on Women Veterans' Issues scheduled July 16-17 at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki will give remarks to open the summit this Saturday, which will focus on expanding outreach to women Veterans and increasing awareness of the enhanced VA benefits and services available to them.

16 Jul 2011

Viewpoints: Debt talks 'opportunity'; NY Times on cancer drugs; Calif. insurance rate regs

For months, we have known that no plan will succeed if it just slashes programs such as Medicare or imposes big hikes in tax rates. We've known that we need a plan that eliminates at least $4 trillion in debt over the next decade, slows the growth in entitlement programs and raises new revenue through tax reform.

8 Jul 2011