What we don’t know about breast cancer may well be what we
need to know. Let’s start with what we know already about this difficult
disease. Breast cancer is a leading killer of women on a world wide basis.
Advocacy for breast cancer has only really begun to take off over the last
three plus decades. What we know about breast cancer coupled with stories and
the battle for effective prevention, gives us a step up. We know that the
mammogram is the key diagnostic
imaging procedure and what helps greatly in early detection.
There are some things we need to understand about breast
cancer in order to stay optimistic:
·
Breast cancer is not incurable.
· All factors from detection to treatment are
critical to helping cure it.
· Breast cancer needs to continue to be
researched.
· Advocacy is a key to understanding it better.
Knowing what the risks are is a vital key to progress. The
best cure, or manner of protection, is known as early detection. Even with
early detection it’s very important that patients understand that the best
method of treatment will depend on the patient’s history. The idea that family
history plays a part is actually highly debatable. Family history only has a
bearing in about 20% of cases at best.
It’s important to know what your risk level over a five year
period as well as over a lifetime. In order to understand risk level there is a
test known as the BREVAGen Test, a two step test for assessing risk in women
that are 35 or older. Other ways to assess whether or not breast cancer may be
an issue are clinical exams that can be performed every three years and after
40 they should be performed every year.
There is no specific way to avoid breast cancer and there
are no guaranteed methods. Chances are that breast cancer will for a long time
continue to be a major enemy to a woman’s well being. The awareness of the
disease and advocacy for education and research will go a long way toward
correcting that.
If you have any questions about diagnostic imaging
procedures, please feel free to give us a call. Our team of dedicated
professionals looks forward to answering your questions and aiding you in your
diagnostic imaging needs.
References:
No comments:
Post a Comment