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One Way to Boost Mammogram Rates: Let Women Schedule Their Own Appointments

Allowing women to schedule their own mammography appointments increases the likelihood they'll follow through on the screening, a new study reports.

“Self-scheduling helps make the path to mammogram completion a little smoother, where you don't have to find the time to call a scheduling line, wait on hold, or go back and forth trying to find an appointment that works for your schedule,�...

Can Breast Cancer Survivors Reduce Frequency of Mammograms?

Under current U.S. guidelines, women over 49 who've survived early-stage breast cancer are directed to undergo a mammogram every year "indefinitely."

But a new British study suggests that, just three years after being declared free of their cancer, these women might be fine having mammograms less frequently.

“The trial demonstrated that the outcomes from undergoing less frequent m...

More Evidence That Regular Mammograms Save Lives

A woman who gets her regular mammograms as scheduled is much less likely to die from breast cancer than if she skips screenings, a new study shows.

Women with breast cancer who underwent all her scheduled mammograms had a survival rate of 80%, compared with survival rates as low as 59% for women who didn't participate in any screenings, researchers found.

“The purpose of mammograp...

Helping Women Find Affordable Housing Also Boosts Cancer Screening

Chalk up a surprising benefit to government housing assistance.

Breast cancer screening is higher among some low-income women who get government help with housing compared to those who do not, new research shows.

"Receiving housing assistance has been associated with several positive health outcomes and health behaviors in past research, and our findings suggest it can also support ...

False-Positive Mammogram Result Raises Odds for Breast Cancer Later

Women who have a false-positive result on a screening mammogram may have an increased risk of breast cancer for up to 20 years, a large new study finds.

False-positives occur when a screening mammogram seems to show something abnormal that, with follow-up testing, is declared non-cancerous.

The new study...

Not Just a Lump: Many Women Miss Subtle Signs of Breast Cancer

The vast majority of women know a lump in their breast likely signals the presence of cancer, a new survey finds, but that's not the only sign of the disease.

“Screening mammography is our No. 1 defense in detecting and addressing breast cancers at their earliest, most treatable stages, but it is also very important for people to be familiar with the look and feel of their own breast t...

What Every Woman Needs to Know About Breast Cancer Screening

Catching breast cancer early is key to making it easier to treat and survive, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).

The organization aims to highlight early detection, noting that screening with mammography has helped breast cancer death rates drop 43% since 1989.

“Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women (after skin cancer) and the second most common cause of ca...

Mammograms: An Expert Overview on Why They're So Important

Mammograms have long offered early detection of breast cancer, which is why getting them regularly is crucial to women's health, one expert says.

“There are several risk factors associated with breast cancer. As with many other diseases, risk of developing breast cancer increases as you get older,” said Dr. Mridula Geor...

Most Older Americans Object to Cancer Screening Cutoffs Based on Life Expectancy: Poll

While guidelines for cancer screening have begun factoring in life expectancy, a new poll shows a majority of older adults disagree with age cutoffs based on how long a person is expected to live.

The University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging querie...

AI Equals Human Radiologists at Interpreting Breast Cancer Scans

Another study is showing that artificial intelligence (AI) is as good as a specialist doctor in spotting breast cancer on a mammogram. But don't expect computers to take over the job from humans, experts say.

In a study that compared the mammography-reading skills of an AI tool with those of more than 500 medical professionals, researchers found that it was basically a tie.

On avera...

Most Cancer Screens Won't Extend Lives, But Reasons to Keep Screening Remain

While new research suggests cancer screenings are not extending lives for the most part, the study's authors stressed that there are still good reasons why people should continue with screenings.

Their review of clinical trials looked at six kinds of common cancer tests — mammography, colonoscopy, fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) or endoscopy, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests and ...

Breast Cancer Screening May Not Be Worth It for Women Over 70

The risks of screening mammograms to catch breast cancer may outweigh the benefits for certain women aged 70 or older, new research indicates.

The main risk? Overdiagnosis and treatment of a breast cancer that likely wouldn't have caused any symptoms during a woman's lifetime.

“For women who are on the younger end of the age range and who are generally healthy, the risk of overdia...

AI-Assisted Mammograms Could Be a Big Advance: Study

Artificial intelligence (AI) programs can safely be used to help radiologists review mammogram images and detect breast cancers, early results from an ongoing clinical trial show.

A single radiologist aided by AI wound up detecting about 20% more breast cancers from mammogram images than two radiologists working together, according to a report in the August issue of The Lancet Oncolog...

New Ultrasound Patch Spots Tiny Breast Abnormalities in Early Trial

Scientists have developed a wearable ultrasound patch that might eventually allow women to monitor themselves for early signs of breast cancer in the comfort of their home.

The achievement, reported July 28 in the journal Science Advances, is the latest in a broader research effort to make wearable ultrasound a reality.

The hope is to one day use such portable technology t...

Sarah Ferguson Reveals Breast Cancer Diagnosis, Mastectomy

Sarah Ferguson has undergone treatment for breast cancer, she announced on her podcast.

The Duchess of York, 63, had a mastectomy after the diagnosis and the surgery was successful, her rep confirmed Sunday, People magazine reported.

"The Duchess is receiving the best medical care and her doctors have told her that the prognosis is good. She is now recuperating with her f...

Consistent Breast Cancer Screening Cuts Odds of Dying From the Disease by 72%

Screening mammograms saves lives, and consistency counts for a lot.

That's the main message from a new study that looked at how regularly women received mammograms before a breast cancer diagnosis. The closer a woman adhered to guidelines on a year-to-year basis, the less likely she was to die of breast cancer.

It is quite common for women to not receive their mammograph...

The Women's Health Screenings and Preventive Care Appointments You Need

Health screenings and preventive care appointments are a key to maintaining long-term health and well-being. By proactively engaging in these practices, women can identify potential health risks early on and take necessary steps.

This guide will outline the key women's health screenings and care appointments to help you prioritize your health and stay on top of your well-being.

Experts Recommend All Women Get Mammograms Starting at Age 40

In a major change from its longstanding advice, an influential medical panel now recommends that women start mammography screening for breast cancer at age 40.

The new guidance, from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, says women at average risk of breast cancer should start having mammograms, every other year, when they turn 40. For years, the recommendation had been to start at age...

Radiologists' Group Pushes for Breast Cancer Risk 'Assessment' by Age 25

While the typical recommendation is for women to start getting mammograms at age 40, the American College of Radiology has released new guidelines that call for all women to have a breast cancer risk assessment by age 25 to determine if they should start screening mammograms before they turn 40.

This early step is particularly important for women who are Black or Ashkenazi Jewish, the gu...

Scientists Spot New Potential Risk Factor for Breast Cancer

A new study has uncovered a possible risk factor for breast cancer that could help doctors more accurately weigh a woman's chances of developing the disease.

While it's known that women with dense breast tissue have a greater risk for developing breast cancer and that breast density declines with age, researchers have now found evidence of cancer risk specific to breast density declining ...

Many Breast Cancer Survivors May Be Able to Forgo Mammograms in Old Age: Study

Older breast cancer survivors often have other medical issues and a shorter life expectancy than younger breast cancer survivors. What's more, their cancers are often slow-growing, and surveillance may lead to over-treatment of cancers that won't kill them, researchers say.

Despite these downsides, older breast cancer survivors are still undergoing mammograms even though their risk of dev...

Black Women Die of Breast Cancer at Younger Ages. Should They Be Screened Earlier?

Experts recommend that women at least consider starting breast cancer screening once they turn 40. Now a new study suggests that is especially critical for Black women.

Looking at data on U.S. breast cancer deaths, researchers found -- as other studies have -- that Black women in their 40s were substantially more likely to die of the disease than other women their age. The disparity was s...

High Co-Pays, Deductibles Keep Some Women From Mammogram Follow-Up

A new study shows that money, or lack of it, can stand in the way of follow-up testing after an abnormal mammogram result.

Just over one-fifth of U.S. women surveyed by researchers said they would skip additional testing if they had to pay a deductible or co-pay.

Of 714 women who responded when asked if they'd have follow-up imaging if they had to pay for all or part of it, 21% said...

Suspicious Mammogram? Out-of-Pocket Costs Keep Some Women From Follow-Up

Breast cancer screening may be free for women with health insurance, but high costs may still keep some from getting needed follow-up tests, a new study finds.

The study, of more than 230,000 U.S. women who underwent screening mammography, found that those in insurance plans with higher out-of-pocket costs were less likely to get follow-up testing after an abnormal screening result.

New Breast Scanning Technology Might Beat Standard Mammography

Newer scanning technology may spot more breast cancers and lower the rate of dreaded false positives, a large, new study shows.

Now available in a growing number of health care facilities, tomosynthesis uses low-dose X-rays and computer reconstructions to create 3D images of the breasts to find cancers. In contrast, traditional mammography creates 2D images of the breasts.

"Tom...

Mammogram Centers Must Notify Patients of Breast Density, FDA Says

New U.S. federal regulations will require mammography facilities to tell women if they have dense breasts, a description of how the tissue looks on the X-ray.

It can be more difficult to detect cancer in dense breast tissue on a mammogram. Having dense breasts is also a risk factor for developing breast cancer.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration update amends regulations issued u...

Cancer Screenings Rise in States With Mandatory Paid Sick Leave

Many Americans are not getting recommended cancer screenings, and a new study hints at one way to push the needle: paid sick leave from work.

Researchers found that in areas of the United States that passed mandates on paid sick leave, cancer screening rates inched up in the years afterward. Breast cancer screening rose by roughly 3%, while colon cancer screening increased by 6% to 8%.

Millions of Americans Missed Vital Cancer Screenings in Pandemic's 2nd Year

Cancer screening rates were down again during 2021, the second year of the pandemic.

The number of women having cervical cancer screening dropped 4.4 million in 2021 compared to 2019, according to a study by the American Cancer Society (ACS). About 1.1 million fewer women were screened for breast cancer and about 700,000 fewer men were screened for prostate cancer.

“The COVID-19 p...

Breast Pain Doesn't Always Mean Cancer: When to Get a Mammogram

While anyone can experience breast pain, don't panic: It's rarely cancer.

Penn State Health offers some reassurance about what might cause the pain and when it might be time to have a mammogram.

“We see a lot of patients who come looking for answers that have widespread, cyclical breast pain,” said

  • Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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  • January 27, 2023
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  • Full Page
  • Only 1 in 7 Cancers Are Caught Through Cancer Screenings

    Just 14% of all cancers diagnosed in the United States are detected through routine screening, a new analysis finds -- pointing to many missed opportunities to catch cancer early.

    "It's surprising, but true," said Caroline ...

    Many U.S. Women Must Travel Far to Get Mammograms

    Many American women have to travel long distances to reach the nearest mammography center, a new study finds -- raising questions about whether that keeps some from receiving breast cancer screening.

    Researchers found that 8.2 million women had limited access to mammography screening in 2022 -- defined as living more than a 20-minute drive to the nearest facility. That was up from 7.5 mil...

    High Deductibles Keep Some Women From Follow-Up After Troubling Mammogram

    Out-of-pocket costs may make as many as 1 in 5 women forgo additional screening when an initial mammogram finds an abnormality, a new U.S. study finds.

    The Affordable Care Act improved access to mammograms, but high-deductible insurance plans appear to keep women from important follow-ups, according to the findings.

    "The ACA removed out-of-pocket costs for screening mammograms unde...

    How Benign Are 'Benign' Breast Findings? Study Finds Link to Higher Cancer Risk

    Many women feel a lump in their breast or receive an abnormal result on a screening mammogram that turns out to be a cyst or other type of non-cancerous growth.

    With this news comes a huge sigh of relief, but it may not be the end of the story, new research suggests.

    While these growths are not cance...

    1 in 5 Young Women Has No Plans to Get a Mammogram

    Terlisa Sheppard knows the value of tracking changes in her body.

    The Orlando Health patient was eight and a half months pregnant and just 31 years old when she felt a lump under her arm. She left work to get it checked out and "didn't return back to work because that is the evening that I found out I had breast cancer," Sheppard said.

    Now, 23 years later -- and long after deliveri...

    Katie Couric Announces Breast Cancer Diagnosis

    Former TV newswoman and TODAY show anchor Katie Couric has breast cancer.

    Couric shared that information Wednesday on Instagram, while also releasing an essay about the experience on her media website.

    "Every two minutes, ...

    Why Do Black Women Have More Delays for Lifesaving Breast Biopsies?

    Women of color may face delays in getting a biopsy after a screening mammogram suggests they might have breast cancer, a large, new study finds.

    Researchers found that compared with white women, Asian, Black and Hispanic women were all more likely to wait over a month ...

    Pandemic Caused Millions of U.S. Women to Skip Cancer Screenings

    Millions of U.S. women missed breast, cervical and colon cancer screenings due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new study.

    It found that compared to 2018, the number of women in 2020 who said they had breast cancer screening in the past year fell by 2.13 million (6%). The number of women who ...

    Obesity Stigma Keeps Many From Life-Saving Cancer Screening: Study

    Many people who are overweight or obese avoid cancer screening for fear of stigma and judgment about their weight, British researchers report.

    In a review of 10 published studies, researchers found that many doctors around the world don't look kindly on patients with obesity, an attitude that can affect tre...

    Half of Women Will Get False-Positive Mammogram Over 10 Years of Screening

    Fully half of all women who have annual mammograms to screen for breast cancer will receive a false-positive test result over a decade of screening, according to a new study.

    False-positive results call for further testing and eventually rule out cancer. False alarms can certainly increase anxiety.

    "Women undergoing screening mammography should be aware that being recalled for addit...

    Missed Cancer Screenings During Pandemic Could Raise Death Rate for Years

    The early months of the COVID-19 pandemic kept millions of Americans away from routine cancer screenings. Now a new study finds that many U.S. screening programs were still not back to normal by 2021.

    The study, of more than 700 cancer facilities nationwide, found that in January 2021 - a year after COVID's emergence in the United States - most still had not recovered their pre-pandemic s...

    Mammograms Can Also Highlight Heart Risks: Study

    Your annual screening mammogram may do more than spot breast cancer early - it may give you a heads up on your heart disease risk, too.

    Digital breast X-rays can also detect a build-up of calcium in the arteries of your breasts, an early sign of heart disease. These white ...

    Fewer Breast Cancers May Be 'Overdiagnosed' by Mammograms Than Thought

    Screening mammograms can lead to overdiagnosis of breast cancer, but a new study finds it happens less often than experts have thought.

    Researchers estimated that about 15% of breast cancers caught through routine mammography screening are overdiagnoses -- meaning the tumors would never have caused h...

    Are Breast Self-Exams Necessary? The Answer May Surprise You

    A shift in thinking means it's OK to skip your monthly breast self-exam -- but don't miss your regular professional checkup and diagnostic imaging, health experts say.

    A periodic visual check in a mirror can be helpful, breast health experts from the Cedars-Sinai health system in California suggest.

    "Beginning at age 40, women with an average risk for breast cancer should rely on an...

    AI Helps Rule Out Cancer in Women With Dense Breasts

    While mammograms have reduced deaths by detecting breast cancers when they're small and easier to treat, it's less effective for women with dense breasts.

    However, a new study finds that supplemental MRI screening can make a difference for these women, who are more likely to develop breast cancer. And new technology is being used to speed the process.

    Artificial intelligence ca...

    Can a Computer Program Help Docs Spot Breast Cancer?

    An artificial intelligence tool could help radiologists spot breast cancer on ultrasound images and reduce the need for extra testing, new research suggests.

    "Our study demonstrates how artificial intelligence can help radiologists reading breast ultrasound exams to reveal only those that show real signs of breast cancer, and to avoid verification by biopsy in cases that turn out to be be...

    Your State's Laws Might Save Your Life If Breast Cancer Strikes

    When Nancy Cappello was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer in 2003, she was stunned.

    How could this have happened? She went for her annual screening mammogram every year and was always told that all was fine.

    It wasn't.

    Cappello had dense breasts, but no one had ever told her. "The tumor was likely growing for five to seven years," said her husband, Joseph Cappello. "At the...

    AI May Not Be Ready to Accurately Read Mammograms

    Radiologists still outperform artificial intelligence (AI) when it comes to breast cancer screening, a new paper shows.

    Many countries have mammography screening programs to detect and treat breast cancer early. However, examining mammograms for early signs of cancer means a lot of repetitive work for radiologists, which can result in some cancers being missed, the authors explained.

    <...

    Pandemic Brought Big Drop in Breast Cancer Screening in Older, Low-Income Women

    Many parts of the United States saw a significant drop in breast cancer screening of older low-income women during the COVID-19 pandemic, new research shows.

    The analysis of data from 32 community health centers that serve low-income people found that breast cancer screening for 50- to 74-year-old women dropped 8% between July 2019 and July 2020. That wiped out an 18% increase between Jul...

    Pandemic Delays in Screening Mean More Breast Cancer Deaths Ahead: Study

    The COVID-19 pandemic could leave a grim legacy for women's health.

    New research suggests that disruptions in breast cancer screening and treatment in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic could lead to an increase in deaths from the disease.

    While mammography rates have accelerated in 2021, "facilities should prioritize screening women who missed their routine mammography ...

    Most Cancer Screenings Make Big Rebound After Pandemic Decline

    A major U.S. hospital system had a strong rebound in most cancer screening tests after a steep drop-off in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, a new study shows.

    The findings are based on an analysis of data from the Boston-based Mass General Brigham system. Depending on the type of test, between March and June of 2020, the number of cancer screenings dropped off between 65% a...

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