Screening Advancements

Advancements in Screening and Treatment Abound 
Dr. Elizabeth Prier 
Published: October 20, 2016

In my time as a breast surgeon, I have witnessed tremendous advancements in the way we screen, diagnose, and treat breast cancer.   As a physician and as someone who has had friends and family affected by breast cancer, I'm excited to say that there is more treatment and detection options available today than at any point in the history of cancer care.  Unfortunately, however, breast cancer still remains the second leading cause of cancer death in women – which is disheartening to know when you consider the new options available for detection and treatment.  That's why it's more important than ever to address some of the common concerns I've heard from patients about screening and treatment, and give a little more information about the options available to women today.

The first question I usually get is, 'when should women seek mammograms?'  There is quite a bit of confusion around screening.  The American Cancer Society recommends that mammograms should start around age 45, and the US Preventive Services Task Force says age 50.  However, I see all too many women between the ages of 40 and 50 diagnosed with breast cancer.  That's why for me, the answer is quite clear.   Women should be seen for a mammogram starting at age 40 to significantly reduce the risk of dying from breast cancer.  If you're 40 and over, now is the time to seek a mammogram – it could save your life.

There are many different ways in which we're implementing mammogram technology to detect breast cancer sooner in its most treatable phase.  We have implemented 3D mammography in our care centers which has been shown to increase the detection of invasive breast cancer by 30-40%, while simultaneously reducing the rate of false positive results.  This sort of improvement in detection has already saved a number of patients from having to seek more extensive breast care due to the early detection of the cancer before growth or metastasis. 

Finally – and perhaps most impressive – is a new technology in treatment called partial breast radiation.  Partial breast radiation treatment is a shorter course of radiation for women with early-stage breast cancer.  Traditionally, when a woman undergoes a lumpectomy (also known as breast conservation surgery), it is recommended that she go through 5-day/week radiation treatment for 5-6 weeks following the surgery.  Partial breast radiation using brachytherapy, on the other hand, uses radiation only at the site of the tumor.   By giving a more directed dose, it can reduce the time for radiation down to 5 days.  That's an 83% decrease of time between the traditional treatment and the partial breast site treatment, which has major implications for those looking to move past their diagnosis.   Saint Alphonsus is the only breast care center in Idaho to offer the partial breast radiation treatment (or brachytherapy), and has been named a center of excellence for this new technological advance in treatment.

Whether screening, diagnosis, or treatment, one thing is clear – the advances in technology have allowed detection to become easier and treatment to become shorter.  The last thing left to do is to encourage women to seek a mammogram over the age of 40.  If you know a woman over the age of 40 that hasn't had her annual mammogram yet, now is the time to say something – it could save her life.

Dr. Elizabeth Prier is a breast surgeon at Saint Alphonsus Breast Care Center and Women's Specialty Clinic in Boise and Nampa.  Reserve your mammogram appointment by calling (208) 302-2200.