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Digital mammography helps Iowa City woman get a critical head start on diagnosing breast cancer
Diane Bradley was neither surprised nor alarmed when University of Iowa oncologists diagnosed a tiny lesion in her left breast in February 2006.
"It was one of those things I expected," she says. "We have a family history of breast cancer so it was not a matter of whether it would happen, it was a matter of when."
Bradley feels fortunate the diagnosis was made early, a direct reflection of the value of digital mammography as a tool for identifying cancerous lesions in their earliest stages. In fact, Bradley was so conscientious about staying ahead of her known high risk for breast cancer that she insisted on digital mammography as an annual diagnostic tool.
"I knew about digital mammography from watching TV and such, just paying attention," she says. "It's the best system out there for early diagnosis."
The fact that she was diagnosed at the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center at UI also worked to her advantage. UI researchers led by Laurie Fajardo, MD, head of radiology at UI Hospitals and Clinics, enrolled over 1,500 women in the study.
The National Cancer Institute-funded study found that digital mammography recorded a 40 percent improvement in the detection of abnormalities in densely breasted women.
Women in these groups are likely to benefit from earlier detection of breast cancer if they receive digital mammography, the study suggests.
Noting that UI Hospitals and Clinics is the first facility in Iowa with digital mammography capabilities, Fajardo describes the findings as very encouraging.
"Digital technology has definitely improved our ability to screen for breast cancer," she says.
Bradley's diagnosis by digital mammography was directed by Thomas Barloon, MD. The finding led to the surgical removal of the tumor (lumpectomy) and 13 lymph nodes by Carol Scott-Conner, MD, and subsequent chemotherapy directed by Mark Karwal, MD, and radiation therapy directed by Geraldine Jacobson, MD.
"I don't think I've ever had a 'down' day because I've always been on top of it," Bradley says. "I would strongly encourage more women to get yearly mammograms, just to know everything is OK. If it isn't, then it's time to get treatment."
Bradley adds that while most people shudder at the thought of chemotherapy, no one should fear it. "Different people react differently but all I felt was a kind of heavy stomach," she says. "There are lots of new medications to help people with that."
Bradley's treatment and recovery were not her first encounter with the disease, or with cancer specialists at UI Hospitals and Clinics. Fifteen years ago, at age 42, she was diagnosed with abnormal cell growth on a biopsy (PACEMAKER, May-June 1998).
The condition did not require treatment but did lead to her volunteer participation in a UI research trial that ultimately proved the value of the estrogen-blocking drug tamoxifen. So strong was the evidence of tamoxifen's effectiveness as a breast cancer deterrent among women at high risk for the disease that the trial was ended early.
"I was a 5-year participant in the trial and I could tell I was getting the drug instead of a placebo," she says. "I did very well and there were no side-effects."
Bradley continued taking the drug and diligently sought a mammogram every year, insisting on a digital mammography two years ago.
"I feel pretty fortunate," she says.
For more information about digital mammography at UI Hospitals and Clinics, patients and families should:
- Call UI Health Access and ask for Sandy Maxwell, R(T)R(M), or call Maxwell directly at 319-353-7087
- E-mail sandra-maxwell@uiowa.edu
No more film
Digital mammography images are recorded electronically on a computer rather than on film. This means that specialized software can be used to enhance and manipulate the images to help diagnose patients with cancer. Compared to standard film mammograms, digital mammography images also are easier to store, retrieve, and share among physicians. Digital mammograms also use less radiation than film mammography, although the doses used in standard mammography are low and considered very safe.
See the Q and A
with Laurie Fajardo,
MD
For consultation or referral, physicians should call UI Consult.
—Michael Sondergard
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