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.

Mammography, vaccines still raise questions in consumers' minds

NPR reports on two preventive measures that, despite years of research, still have consumers wondering what to do.

12 Oct 2010

First Edition: October 11, 2010

Today's early morning highlights include articles on new options for open season, concerns among retirees about the provisions of the federal health law and the latest campaign arguments over that new overhaul.

11 Oct 2010

Research-based tip sheets provide details on breast cancer

Throughout October, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, experts from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and its clinical care partner, the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, are offering a series of weekly research-based tip sheets regarding a variety of topics related to breast cancer, including breast cancer prevention, screening and early detection, treatment, and survivorship.

11 Oct 2010

Clinical study data on Natural S-equol supplement presented at NAMS Annual Meeting

Four clinical studies that add to the evidence about the use of a new nutritional supplement containing the whole soy germ-based ingredient Natural S-equol to improve health were presented at the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) Annual Meeting.

8 Oct 2010

Breast density notification laws can improve cancer detection

Breast cancer survivors turned advocates are working with State and Federal lawmakers to enact legislation designed to require physician to communicate important breast health information that could lead to better detection.

8 Oct 2010

Soy germ-based nutritional supplement helps to manage menopausal symptoms

A new women-s health, whole soy germ-based nutritional supplement containing Natural S-equol reduced the frequency of moderate to severe hot flashes and reduced muscle and joint pain in the first study of its kind among postmenopausal U.S. women, according to peer-reviewed data presented as a poster presentation at the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) Annual Meeting.

7 Oct 2010

American Cancer Society awards 94 national research, training grants to 70 institutions nationwide

The American Cancer Society, the largest non-government, not-for-profit funding source of cancer research in the United States, has awarded 94 national research and training grants totaling $46,633,000 to 70 institutions nationwide in the first of two grants cycles for 2011.

7 Oct 2010

Breast-Specific Gamma Imaging more effective than ultrasound in finding cancers

Results of a study on Breast-Specific Gamma Imaging (BSGI) presented at the annual breast meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology in Washington, D.C., showed that BSGI was nearly twice as effective in finding cancers and more than three times as likely to lead to the correct diagnosis when compared to ultrasound.

6 Oct 2010

CAD usage in screening, diagnostic mammography increases: Study

The use of computer-aided detection (CAD) is increasing, in both screening and diagnostic mammography, according to a study in the October issue of the Journal of the American College of Radiology.

4 Oct 2010

Study finds benefits of mammograms for women in their 40s, sparking disagreement

The New York Times: "Researchers reported Wednesday that mammograms can cut the breast cancer death rate by 26 percent for women in their 40s. But their results were greeted with skepticism by some experts who say they may have overestimated the benefit.

1 Oct 2010

Mammography screening of middle-aged women reduces breast cancer mortality rate by 30%

The landmark breast cancer screening study of women 40-49, published online in Cancer, has proven that annual mammography screening of women in their 40s reduces the breast cancer death rate in these women by nearly 30 percent.

1 Oct 2010

Women's College to build Ontario's only ambulatory hospital focused on women's health

Women's College Hospital together with The Honourable Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, and women representing Ontario's diverse communities, today announced Women's College Hospital is building Ontario's only ambulatory hospital focused on meeting the unique health care needs and priorities of women.

30 Sep 2010

Ontario Breast Screening Program encourages women to get mammograms

Before she joined the Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP), Margot McAuliffe couldn't remember the last time she'd thought about having a mammogram.

30 Sep 2010

Mammography examinations reduce breast cancer mortality rate: SCRY Study

Mammography examinations of women aged 40-49 reduce breast cancer mortality by 29%, a statistically significant reduction. This is shown in the Umeå-directed national SCRY Study in Sweden, which is the largest study of its kind ever performed anywhere in the world.

30 Sep 2010

Mammogram for women over 40: Debate continues

A report this Wednesday showed that routine screenings for breast cancer called mammograms cut the breast cancer death rate by 26 percent for women in their 40s. The results have been received in a mixed way by experts.

30 Sep 2010

U-M experts clear confusion over mammography screening controversy

A year after a government panel revised its recommendations for breast cancer screening, many professional organizations have not followed suit.

29 Sep 2010

Study finds PEM scanners equivalent to breast MRI in detecting cancerous lesions

In a prospective study published in the European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, researchers at Boca Raton Regional Hospital (Boca Raton, FL) showed that Positron Emission Mammography (PEM) and breast MRI had comparably high ability to detect cancerous lesions.

29 Sep 2010

Parascript receives CE Mark for AccuDetect software

Parascript, LLC, the image analysis and pattern recognition technology provider, today announced that it received CE (Conformite Europeenne) Mark for AccuDetect Galileo Computer Aided Detection (CAD) software.

27 Sep 2010

Hologic receives FDA voting for 3-D digital mammography system

Hologic, Inc., a leading developer, manufacturer and supplier of premium diagnostics products, medical imaging systems and surgical products dedicated to serving the healthcare needs of women, announced that the Radiological Devices Panel (Panel) of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today unanimously voted that Hologic's Pre-Market Approval (PMA) demonstrated both the effectiveness and safety of the Company's Selenia Dimensions three-dimensional (3-D) digital mammography tomosynthesis system, "Selenia Dimensions 3-D."

From Hologic, Inc. 27 Sep 2010

Study concludes mammography not effective to reduce breast cancer mortality

A new study over the usefulness of mammography confirms what most people in the breast cancer community already know. Mammograms are one tool in the breast cancer cache: better early detection, widespread awareness and more effective treatments all play a role in reducing deaths from the disease, according to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

27 Sep 2010