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Features: October 2005
American Cancer Society Reports Drop in Death Rate
Confirms That Early Detection and Mammograms Can Save Lives
 A new report from the American Cancer Society credits early detection and progress in the treatment of breast cancer for the drop in death from the disease since 1990.
“When breast cancer is diagnosed early, the odds of survival are very, very good,” explained health researcher Ann Scheck McAlearney. “Research shows that more women survive breast cancer every year, thanks to wider use of mammography and improving treatment.” A regular mammogram is widely credited as the most effective tool for detecting early breast cancers that are too small for a woman or her doctor to feel.
What is a Mammogram?
A mammogram uses x-rays to detect and diagnose breast disease, both in women who have no symptoms and in women who have symptoms, such as a lump, pain, or nipple discharge. For a mammogram, the breast is squeezed between two plastic plates attached to the mammogram machine in order to spread the tissue apart. This squeezing or compression ensures that there will be very little movement, that the image is sharper, and that the exam can be done with a lower x-ray dose. Although this compression may be uncomfortable, it only lasts a few seconds and is necessary to produce a good
mammogram. The entire procedure takes about 20 minutes.
Breast cancer takes years to develop. Early in the disease, most breast cancers cause no symptoms. When breast cancer is detected in a localized stage, when it hasn’t spread to the lymph nodes, the five-year survival rate is 98 percent. If the cancer has spread to underarm (axillary) lymph nodes (regional disease), the rate drops to 80 percent. If the cancer has spread (metastasized) to distant organs such as the lungs, bone marrow, liver, or brain, the five-year survival rate is 26 percent.
Recommendations for Early Breast Cancer Detection
Women age 40 and older should have a mammogram every year, in addition to an annual breast exam by a health professional. They should also report any breast changes to their doctor right away.
Mammograms for older women (over age 65) should be based on the woman’s health. As long as a woman is in good health and would be a candidate for treatment, she should continue to have mammograms.
Women in their 20s and 30s should have a breast exam by a health professional preferably every three years.
Only one or two mammograms of every 1,000 lead to a diagnosis of cancer. About 10 percent of women who have a mammogram will require more tests, and the majority only need an additional mammogram. Don’t be alarmed if this happens to you. Only 8 percent to 10 percent of those women will need a biopsy, and 80 percent of those biopsies will not be cancer.
All mammogram clinics are now required by law to notify women in writing about the results of their mammograms within 30 days. Generally, you will be contacted within five working days if the mammogram results suggest cancer is present.
“Slowly but surely, we are making strides against breast cancer and saving lives thanks to improved treatment and early detection,” said Alfred R. Ashford, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, American Cancer Society of NY and NJ. “But we clearly have more to do, particularly among the uninsured. With the support of the thousands of New Yorkers who participate in our annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk, the Society has been able to invest more than $100 million in research this year alone.” The walk was scheduled for Oct. 16 in New York City.
American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org)
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