The Venture 17 Division Of Education
Shopping Cart
Your Cart is Empty
Quantity:
Subtotal
Taxes
Shipping
Total
THE CONSERVATORY OF MEDICAL ARTS AND SCIENCES
XVII
THE SEARCHLIGHT MESSENGER
THE SEARCHLIGHT MESSENGER
Blog
The Ever Changing Screens For Breast Cancer
| Posted on October 18, 2011 at 1:36 PM |
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is so important. Over the years it has helped to raise awareness of the severity of the disease in medical and economic impact. Ultimately, we look for ways to save human lives. Much has changed over the years. One has to remember that just not long ago, we “Baby Boomers” watched as our mothers succumbed to the most common death inducing cancer in women, uterine cancer. That’s right. Up until the early 1970’s, this was the cancer most common in killing women. The fight with breast cancer has been ongoing, with diagnostic screening meeting new challenges around every turn. In 1959, the introduction of a standard screen called The Papanicolaou (Pap) smear changed everything, and a national campaign to get women into the doctor for Pap screenings created a paradigm shift in the routine care of women when visiting their doctor. With this tool, we eventually discovered that there was a culprit now known as, “The Papillomavirus”; we were able to develop a vaccine against. With this victory, however, Breast cancer became the real malignant villain in taking down women. It has become rampant, involving all kinds of theories as to cause, including everything from medicines, hormones, and lifestyle practices to oncogenetics and environmental exposure. Controversial guidelines in physical screenings and imaging continue to change. Economically, it seems sometimes that insurance companies drive our screening studies. Basing guidelines on thready actuarial information, they change mammography guidelines constantly, jumping on any information that suggests spending less on screening. Now, a recent study suggests that mammography may not be as important as previously thought in reducing a woman's risk of dying from breast cancer. Coming on the heels of guideline changes from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force in 2009, indicating women do not need mammograms in their 40s, this latest research, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, adds another “scratch your head” position to the idea that mammograms make a substantial impact in saving lives. The study, conducted in Norway, showed that women who receive breast cancer screenings have a 10 percent lower risk of dying from cancer, but researchers could trace only a third of this so-called reduced risk to mammograms themselves. Screenings reduced death from breast cancer by only 2.4 per 100,000 women. The Norwegian study followed more than 40,000 women with breast cancer. American women shouldn't be too quick to back away from recommended biannual screenings for breast cancer for those over age 50, however. Dr. Otis Brawley, chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society, feels the Norwegian study was too short in duration. According to Dr. Brawley, "The report's estimate of the relative value of mammography is lower than in a number of previous screening studies". This may be due to the relatively short two year follow-up of the population. Brawley points out, that most randomized trials have at least 10 years of follow-up after the last round of screenings, and many have covered periods of 20 to 40 years. Dr. Daniel B. Kopans, professor of radiology at Harvard Medical School, agrees and feels the study was incomplete and not long enough in duration. "This study contradicts other studies from the Netherlands and Sweden which show just the opposite, namely that screening accounts for over 60% of the decrease in deaths seen over the past 50 years," he says. "I suspect that most everyone who cares for women with breast cancer would acknowledge that therapy only saves lives when breast cancers are found and treated early." As a physician, I must add that the ability of doctors to perform a thorough palpatory exam is crucial. Many doctors just have their patient lie down on the exam table and circumferentially feel both breasts and consider them examined. The real physician will ask pertinent questions while examining the “patient”, not just their breasts. In addition, the exam should start with a visual exam of the patient and her breasts, looking carefully for skin and nipple changes, and then utilizing maneuvers that force breast tissue to respond to different angles of muscular contraction along the chest wall. This captures lesions deep along the ligamentous attachments of the breasts. This should then be followed with a very thorough palpatory exam of both breasts and the axillae. I should also comment that regular breast cancer screenings heighten women's awareness of the disease. This leads to early detection and a better prognosis. While the American Cancer Society no longer recommends monthly breast self-examination, I feel current guidelines regarding mammography should not be changed. The total body of science supports the fact that regular mammography is an important part of a woman's preventative health care. Wear some pink this month, Dr. Counce |
Categories: Medical Opinion
Post a Comment
Oops!
The words you entered did not match the given text. Please try again.
453 Comments
Reply
Maxolash reviews
5:52 AM on February 16, 2012
I am looking of health tips as I am fitness trainer. Thanks for your useful suggestions.
Reply
Somulin reviews
6:07 AM on February 17, 2012
That was very nice health advice given by you. Please give me some more useful natural tips.
Reply
Flexoplex reviews
8:31 AM on February 20, 2012
Wow! Your site looks interesting. I am searching some health suggestion which I got at your site. Please post some more tips.
Reply
Olay Regenerist
8:08 AM on November 8, 2012
Your writting is really very good. Blog is fully stuffed with unique and good anctuary suite beauty information. Good keep it up.
Reply
Buy Geftinat
9:19 AM on July 16, 2013
It's really pleasure to read your post. Thank you so much for writing such a nice post.
Reply
Dr.Counce
11:03 PM on July 19, 2013
Buy Geftinat says...
It's really pleasure to read your post. Thank you so much for writing such a nice post.
You are welcome.
Reply
Breast lift treatment in Brisbane
4:46 AM on July 31, 2013
A cancer growth is just a sign that something is wrong within the body. Diet plays a big part in any cure for breast cancer because the food we eat is the body natural fuel which keeps us healthy and cancer free.
Reply
nael
4:06 PM on August 28, 2013
I am curious to find out what blog system you are working with? I'm having some minor security problems with my latest site and I would like to find something more safeguarded. Do you have any suggestions?
Reply
Tattoo Removal Sydney
7:47 AM on September 5, 2013
I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post.
Reply
cosmetic surgery melbourne
5:48 AM on September 12, 2013
Breast cancer symptoms can be experienced by men as well as women but breast cancer is very rare in men compared to women. I am sure you will be helpful to make people aware.
Reply
Dr. Counce
11:07 PM on September 12, 2013
cosmetic surgery melbourne says...
Breast cancer symptoms can be experienced by men as well as women but breast cancer is very rare in men compared to women. I am sure you will be helpful to make people aware.
Thank you for your comment and suggestion.
Reply
radiology in dubai
1:37 AM on September 17, 2013
the health insurance industry is in a state of flux, the health care industry is growing strong. Hospitals are seeing expansion projects, and many new health care facilities are being built. With this new wave of construction, many health care companies are looking for ways to build smart and save money.
Reply
Dr. Counce
10:00 PM on October 4, 2013
radiology in dubai says...
the health insurance industry is in a state of flux, the health care industry is growing strong. Hospitals are seeing expansion projects, and many new health care facilities are being built. With this new wave of construction, many health care companies are looking for ways to build smart and save money.
Thank you for your comments
Reply
Dr. Counce
10:01 PM on October 4, 2013
radiology in dubai says...
the health insurance industry is in a state of flux, the health care industry is growing strong. Hospitals are seeing expansion projects, and many new health care facilities are being built. With this new wave of construction, many health care companies are looking for ways to build smart and save money.
Thank you for your comments.
Reply
Breast Augmentation
4:03 AM on October 11, 2013
The ratio of breast cancer has popularly raised in these days in women. your post will be an useful one to get some details about this. thanks for this great article.
Reply
Wrinkles Treatment Sydney
9:12 AM on October 15, 2013
Women need to be aware with breast cancer. It need to be cured very soon and should not be careless if symptoms are found.
Reply
sydney skin cancer clinic
10:15 AM on October 17, 2013
I am pleased to read these useful facts and details on breast cancer. There are some points of your article from which I am not aware of. waiting for more form your side.
Reply
Dr. Counce
5:22 PM on November 9, 2013
Breast Augmentation says...
The ratio of breast cancer has popularly raised in these days in women. your post will be an useful one to get some details about this. thanks for this great article.
Thank you for your comments.
Reply
Dr. Counce
5:23 PM on November 9, 2013
Wrinkles Treatment Sydney says...
Women need to be aware with breast cancer. It need to be cured very soon and should not be careless if symptoms are found.
Well said. Thank you.
Reply
Dr. Counce
5:24 PM on November 9, 2013
sydney skin cancer clinic says...
I am pleased to read these useful facts and details on breast cancer. There are some points of your article from which I am not aware of. waiting for more form your side.
Thank you. More to come.
Oops!
Oops, you forgot something.