Mammograms work -- early detection is key
Despite the recent debate over the value of mammogram screenings, the American Cancer Society and National Cancer Institute still recommend them for women age 40 or older.
Mills-Peninsula physician experts and Breast Center clients agree.
For years women were encouraged to have a mammogram every year after age 40. Then conflicting studies challenged that notion, including a recent Danish report that questioned clinical trials in Europe that had earlier indicated mammography reduced mortality 20 to 40 percent.
"We believe that routine screenings have a significant impact on improving survival rates and increasing treatment options through early detection," Harriett Borofsky, MD, director of breast imaging for Mills-Peninsula's Breast Centers said. "The five-year survival rate for localized cancer (earliest stage) is 96.8 percent."
Early detection has been a focus at Mills-Peninsula's Breast Centers since the first one opened in San Mateo in 1994. Dr. Borofsky and the late Gale Katterhagen, M.D., led a Sutter Health systemwide effort to increase the success rate and find cancer at "Stage 0 to one."
Today, 80 percent of cancers discovered through mammography at Mills-Peninsula are at this earliest, most curable stage, a rate that exceeds both the Sutter Health goal and the national benchmark.
It was a mammogram that saved the life of Margie Mae Dennis of San Mateo. Eight years ago, the screening revealed a tumor, which was removed immediately. Today, at age 69, she is cancer free.
Dennis knew how important it is to have screenings for cancer. A former nurse assistant, she also lost her mother, four siblings and a nephew to the disease. Yet once Dennis retired in 1991, she stopped getting annual mammograms and quit her regimen of breast self-exams.
Today, she is a strong advocate of all three measures.
"God works in mysterious ways," the survivor said. "The only reason I went in for the mammogram is that I had fallen and my breast was very sore. If it was not for that mammogram, I would not be here today to tell this story."
For women who shy away from mammograms because they find them too uncomfortable -- or even painful -- the Breast Center now offers the new mammopad.
"The pad placed between the equipment and breast has no effect on the results of the mammogram and reduces discomfort and anxiety for some women," Dr. Borofsky says.
Dr. Borofsky will present, "New Technologies in Breast Cancer Detection," Oct. 16. See calendar page 3 for details.
For more information about Mills-Peninsulas Breast Health services, call the Breast Center at 696-4140.