New Breast Cancer Details Emerge For Women At High RiskPOSTED: 4:07 pm EDT April 6,
2007 The following is a transcript of a report by medical editor Marilyn Brooks that first aired April 6, 2007, on WTAE Channel 4 Action News at 5 p.m. A lot has been said about breast cancer this week, including confusing information about the best way to screen for the disease.Are mammograms best or are MRIs more effective?The latest findings said an MRI is better for women at high risk for breast cancer.Women are calling their doctors, e-mailing cancer message boards and calling the American Cancer Society, because they're worried they aren't getting the right kind of test.Evelyn Frohring has been cancer-free for seven years, and she said she has yearly mammograms to make sure her breast cancer hasn't returnedBut recent news about breast cancer screening has her asking lots of question."I think that was the first thing I asked my oncologist," said Frohring.The American Cancer Society issued new guidelines, urging breast MRIs for women at high risk for breast cancer after a study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that breast MRIs can find tumors missed by a mammogram."People have to remember the two words: high risk," said Dr. Alice Rim. "And to see your doctor and talk to your doctor about it."Rim said she is noticing women who are not at high risk making unnecessary and costly appointments for an MRI instead of mammogram."A lot of people have called wondering what high risk actually means," said Alexandra Houser of the ACS.An MRI is only for women with a strong family history of breast cancer or those with a gene that predisposes them to the disease. But, like any test, an MRI is not 100 percent perfect."Normal benign things can enhance on MRI and cause unnecessary biopsies to a patient," said Rim.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that regular mammograms can reduce breast cancer deaths by 35 percent in women between age 50 and 69. Doctors also recommend that between mammograms, women perform breast self-exams and look for lumps, dimpling or any unusual rash on the breast. Related Links: More County NewsGet RSS | E-Mail Alerts Copyright 2007 by ThePittsburghChannel. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |
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