Latest news with #mammogram
CTV News
3 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Walk-in breast cancer screening underway in northeastern Ontario
Mammothon – a huge effort to encourage woman who are eligible for breast cancer screening – is back after a pause forced by the pandemic. The 'Mammothon' breast screening event is back on in northern Ontario after a five-year hiatus with a goal of screening hundreds of women for cancer. Nine locations in the region are offering drop-in mammogram screening for people aged 40–74. 'Essentially, what Mammothon aims to do is screen people who are eligible for breast cancer screening or who have never been screened or who are overdue for screening,' said Steven Blakely, a cancer screening manager with the Lung Diagnostic Assessment Program. 'In the northeast region of Ontario, we have 13 Ontario breast screening program sites. Nine out of these 13 sites are in fact, participating.' Breast cancer is the third leading cause of cancer deaths in Canadian women. 'Oh, it's not so bad' Early screening can help improve chances of recovery, but many people put off testing, according to Sherrie Palys, the ultrasound supervisor at Sudbury's Well Health Diagnostics Centers. Health care professional looks at mammogram scan Health care professional looks at mammogram scan (File) 'We see the stigma that comes with mammograms, women hear stories and, you know, they seem to get like, fearful of it,' Palys said. 'And I just want to let everybody know out there, it really is worth the four pictures, the 15 minutes of your time. I see it work every day. And women who have come to us went, 'oh, it's not so bad. It's not what I thought.'' While Ontario residents become eligible for screening at age 40, it is recommended that women between the ages of 50 and 74 get a mammogram every two years. Health care professional looks at mammogram scan Health care professional helps patient during mammogram scan (File) If not, you may be behind on tests. 'It's recommended that if you are between the ages of 40 to 49, you consult with your primary care provider to determine if screening is right for you,' Blakley said. 'But if you are between the ages of 50 and 74, no referral is required. You can walk right into the center and they should be able to accommodate you.' Details for each northeastern Ontario site included in the Mammothon, where walk-ins are welcome: Kapuskasing June 18 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Sensenbrenner Hospital at 101 Progress Cr., 705-337-4011. Kirkland Lake June 25 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Blanche River Hospital at 145 Government Rd. East, 1-866-567-5251. Moose Factory June 14-20 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Weeneebayko General Hospital at 19 Hospital Dr., 705-658-4544 ext. 2305. Parry Sound June 19 and 20 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at West Parry Sound Health Centre at 6 Albert St., 705-746-4540 ext. 3602. Sault Ste. Marie June 18 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Sault Area Hospital at 750 Great Northern Rd., 1-833-255-6277, and Group Health Centre at 240 McNabb St. until 4 p.m. Sturgeon Falls June 18 from a.m. to 7 p.m. at West Nipissing General Hospital, 725 Coursol Rd., 705-753-3110 ext. 257. Sudbury June 16-20 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at WELL Health Sudbury at 40 Elm St., Suite 255, 1-833-904-4840. Timmins June 18 from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Timmins and District Hospital at 700 Ross Ave. East, 705-360-6012. Health care experts said they hope to see 445 patients throughout the Mammothon at the various locations around the region.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Dense Breasts? You Need to Ask Your Doctor for This Type of Mammogram
For millions of women, the words 'you have dense breasts' can feel both vague and unsettling—especially when it comes after a routine mammogram. Breast density isn't just a technical term buried in a radiology report, it's a real risk factor that can make it harder to spot cancer early. Yet many women aren't told what that means for their health or what steps they can take next. One powerful, underused tool? Contrast-enhanced mammography, or CEM. Experts say it could be a game-changer for women with dense breasts, but only if they know to ask for it. More from Flow Space This Menopause Drug May Be the Key to Preventing Invasive Breast Cancer Despite growing awareness, many women still don't know what breast density means for their screening options. In most cases, they're simply advised to return in a year for another mammogram. But experts say that for women with dense breasts, especially those with additional risk factors, there's a powerful tool that could offer earlier, more accurate detection: contrast-enhanced mammography, or CEM. CEM is a relatively new imaging technique that combines the familiar process of a mammogram with an iodine-based contrast dye, similar to what's used in a CT scan. This allows radiologists to see blood flow to areas of the breast—highlighting suspicious areas that might otherwise be hidden by dense tissue. Studies show it can detect more cancers than standard mammography or even 3D mammograms, especially in dense breasts. So why isn't every woman with dense breasts getting one? Experts say it's partly due to lack of awareness—both among patients and healthcare providers—as well as uneven access and insurance coverage. But as more states pass laws requiring women to be notified about their breast density, and as clinical data continues to support CEM's accuracy, the message is becoming clearer: if you have dense breasts, asking your doctor about CEM could be a lifesaving conversation. Contrast-enhanced mammography is much simpler than it sounds. By injecting an iodine-based dye into the vein in combination with a traditional 2D or 3D mammogram, radiologists can have a better view of abnormalities that are more difficult to see on a regular mammogram. The dye serves as a contrast (hence the name) against healthy breast tissue, allowing your provider to more easily view any lesions and determine if they are benign or cancerous. 'Our breasts are made up of glands, connective tissue and fatty tissue,' Dr. Meleen Chuang, chief of obstetrics and gynecology at NYU Langone Hospital Brooklyn, told Flow Space. 'The density of breast is a term used to describe the amount of different types of breast tissue seen on a mammogram. Dense breast tissue has higher amounts of glandular tissue and connective tissue and low amount of fatty tissue.' Dense breasts are common, and almost half of women who are over 40 that get mammograms are found to have dense breast tissue. Doctors use the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) to classify breast density. This system, developed by the American College of Radiology, helps doctors interpret and report back mammogram findings. 'Dense breasts are a risk factor for breast cancer compared to women with fatty breasts,' said Chuang. 'This risk is separate from the effect of dense breasts on the ability for the radiologist to read a mammogram.' There is not yet enough evidence to recommend for or against additional imaging tests, such as ultrasound or MRI to screen for breast cancer in women with dense breasts according to the Recommendation Statement on Breast Cancer Screening by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). 'However, for many women with dense breasts, the radiologist may often recommend spot compression images to redo a mammogram in certain areas after the screening mammogram and would often then review those areas with breast sonogram,' said Chuang. For those with dense breasts, supplemental imaging might be a requirement in your screening plan given your increased risk of breast cancer. What does it mean to have dense breasts? Having dense breasts increases a person's risk of developing breast cancer, and it can also make it more challenging for radiologists to detect cancer on a traditional mammogram. Nearly 50% of women have dense breasts, making it a common breast cancer risk factor. So, what are the most common types of screenings: Ultrasound: Breast ultrasound uses sound waves and their echoes to make computer pictures of the inside of the breast. It can be helpful to show certain breast developments that may be difficult to see on a mammogram, such as differentiating benign fluid-filled cysts from potentially cancerous solid masses. Ultrasound can be used for additional imaging if the patient has dense breasts. MRI: Breast MRI (which stands for magnetic resonance imaging) uses radio waves and strong magnets to make detailed pictures of the inside of the breast. It is typically used to screen high-risk patients or diagnose areas difficult to see under mammography. Like CEM, breast MRIs require a contrast dye to be injected into your vein before the pictures are taken. MRIs historically detect more cancers compared to traditional mammograms and ultrasound, so they're typically recommended for patients with dense breasts or other breast cancer risk factors. CEM: Contrast-enhanced mammography exams are conducted using the same mammography equipment as a traditional mammogram, but they also use contrast dye. Just like ultrasound and MRI, they can be used for additional imaging for patients with dense breast tissue. 3D Mammogram: A 3D mammogram, also known as digital breast tomosynthesis, is an advanced form of breast imaging that creates a three-dimensional picture of the breast using multiple X-ray images taken from different angles. Unlike traditional 2D mammograms, which produce a flat image, a 3D mammogram allows radiologists to examine breast tissue layer by layer, making it easier to detect small tumors that might be hidden by overlapping tissue. This technology is especially helpful for women with dense breasts, where distinguishing between normal and abnormal tissue can be more difficult. While 3D mammography has improved cancer detection rates and reduced false positives, it can still miss cancers that a contrast-based test like CEM might catch. Previous studies have shown that CEM offers a comparable diagnostic performance to contrast breast MRI. Most recently, a study was published that found that CEM is able to detect three times as many cancers in dense breast tissue compared to ultrasound, as well as smaller tumors compared to traditional mammograms. CEM has been gaining wider acceptance in recent years as a possible alternative to MRI, since it is a more comfortable and familiar experience compared to MRI and offers comparable detection rates. Not to mention, patients have reported that they significantly prefer CEM compared to breast MRI due to increased comfort, lower noise levels, decreased feelings of anxiety and greater procedure efficiency. CEM is also more cost effective compared to MRI (typically around 25% of the cost), and CEM patients receive their results within 8-10 minutes compared to 45 minutes with MRI. While standard and 3D mammograms rely solely on differences in tissue density to detect abnormalities, CEM uses an iodine-based contrast dye to illuminate areas where tumors may be growing and drawing blood. This functional imaging approach can reveal cancers that are otherwise hidden in dense breast tissue, which appears white on mammograms—the same color as many tumors. Studies have shown that CEM can detect more cancers than 2D or 3D mammograms alone and has accuracy comparable to breast MRI, which is considered the gold standard for high-risk screening. But unlike MRI, CEM is quicker, more widely available and less expensive. For women who need more sensitive screening but can't access or tolerate an MRI, CEM offers a powerful, accessible alternative that could catch cancer earlier—when it's most treatable. CEM provides a very appealing offer for those who need to get supplemental imaging but have concerns about detection performance with ultrasound or cost or claustrophobia with MRI.
CTV News
14-06-2025
- Health
- CTV News
‘A landmark decision': advocates celebrate reform of health screening task force
Women in their 40s in Ontario can now book a mammogram without needing a doctor's referral. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Kimberly P. Mitchell/Detroit Free Press via AP) Advocates and doctors are applauding the recently released external expert panel report on the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care, which calls for modernization and reform of the task force. Some of the recommendations to modernize the task force include ensuring preventive health care remains up to date with evolving scientific data and applying it to guidelines in a timely manner, the inclusion of equity-centred perspectives, patient involvement, and collaboration with pre-existing guidelines to help eliminate disparities across the country. 'This is great news,' said Dr. Anna Wilkinson, a family physician and general practitioner-oncologist at The Ottawa Hospital, in a phone interview with 'They are saying that we need to modernize the task force, and I think that's because we're recognizing that we are kind of behind the times on our cancer screening guidelines and many of our other preventive health care guidelines.' Task force halted amid criticism The task force, which is responsible for developing preventive health guidelines like cancer screening across Canada, is an independent body that develops clinical guidelines for family doctors about screening and prevention measures for cancer and other diseases. The task force's work was halted last year following criticism of its proposed incoming breast cancer screening guidelines, which did not recommend mammography screening begin at age 40. Instead, it upheld its 2018 guidelines recommending screening begin at age 50, despite growing evidence and calls from numerous medical experts and organizations urging earlier screening in response to rising breast cancer rates among younger women. This prompted then-Health Minister Mark Holland to request that the Public Health Agency launch an external expert review panel, which began in October 2024, to recommend changes and improvements to the task force's structure, governance, and methodology for developing the guidelines. Dr. Wilkinson, one of the medical experts who advised the external review panel, says she is pleased the report acknowledges the need to modernize the task force. 'We cannot afford economically as a health system to not be,' she said. 'We know that it's so much cheaper to deal with cancers when they're smaller, we know the outcomes are better, the cost to our health-care system is better.' 'I think one of the ways forward for a health-care system is to do preventive care more effectively. (…) This is a high-level view of how we might do that, so I look forward to seeing how it gets implemented.' With implementation of the recommendations currently underway, Health Minister Marjorie Michel has requested that the Public Health Agency of Canada have the task force operational by April 2026. 'Landmark change' Kimberly Carson, CEO of Breast Cancer Canada, was one of many advocates calling for the incoming breast cancer guidelines to recommend screening begin at age 40 rather than 50. Carson, who met with Holland and the external expert review panel, is content with the report's findings. 'It's going to be fantastic for Canadians,' Carson told in a phone interview. 'We know that if we catch breast cancer early, it's better for the patient, it's better for the health-care system, it costs less, there's less financial toxicity for the patients and a better cure rate. (…) It changes the paradigm for Canadian patients.' The task force began meeting on the upcoming breast cancer guidelines in May 2023. For two years, Breast Cancer Canada advocated for the inclusion of subject matter experts in guideline development, the timely integration of the latest data, and the incorporation of patient perspectives. With the report acknowledging all these points, Carson says she is satisfied that the sustained mobilization efforts have yielded results. 'It's such a landmark change in a landmark decision,' Carson said. The Canadian Cancer Society, which also stated in a media release its approval of the report, also had its recommendations reflected in the findings. Some of these recommendations echo those of Breast Cancer Canada, including the inclusion of cancer experts, patient perspectives, and staying current with evolving perspectives, experiences and scientific evidence. 'Once they reform the task force and it becomes functional in April, we would hope that they would immediately take a look at the screening guidelines for breast cancer,' Carson added. In addition to the 2018 breast cancer guidelines, the current cancer screening guidelines for other cancers — like colon cancer (2016), prostate cancer (2014), and cervical cancer (2013) — are also due for updates, Dr. Wilkinson notes. She says this report is a 'critical step' towards modernizing all of Canada's screening guidelines. 'In today's strained health-care environment, optimizing preventive care is essential to making the most of our limited resources,' she said in an email to 'The integration of diverse and evolving evidence, equitable care and ongoing evaluation pave the way for agile, 'living' guidelines that keep pace with scientific advancements. 'This approach will help ensure Canada no longer relies on cancer screening recommendations that are over a decade old.'
WebMD
11-06-2025
- Health
- WebMD
Dense Breast Tissue Can Hide Cancer. Now What?
June 11, 2025 — Have you checked your annual mammogram off your health to-do list? That's a relief, for sure — but there's one more critical step to take after you get your results. Go over your report to see if you have dense breast tissue. For more than 40% of women, the answer is yes. And that means you may want to consider supplemental testing. The next step isn't always clear. But two new studies compared your options. Here's what to know. 1. Having dense breasts increases your risk of breast cancer. Why it matters: Not only is the risk higher, but it's also harder to detect cancer in dense breasts. What to know: Dense breasts have more fibrous tissue and milk glands than fat tissue. On a mammogram, the dense areas show up as white — the same color as cancer. That can make cancer harder to see, particularly when it's small. Federal law (since last fall) requires that you be notified whether your mammogram shows you have dense breasts. To be certain, check your patient portal report or call your doctor's office. You'll also want to find out if you have 'heterogeneously dense' or 'extremely dense' breasts. What's the difference? "Heterogeneously dense" means most of the breast is dense with some areas of fat, and "extremely dense" means the breast has almost no fatty tissue. Even if you don't have dense breasts now, they could become more dense as you age, so you need to recheck your report every year. Dense breasts can only be diagnosed with imaging — a physical exam can't tell. Bottom line: 'Women should know that if they have dense breasts, the mammogram might not see their cancer,' said Ruth Etzioni, PhD, a biostatistician at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle who specializes in analyzing benefit-harm tradeoffs in cancer screening tests. 2. If you have dense breasts, consider supplemental screening. Why it matters: Between 25% and 30% of cancers in heterogeneously dense breasts are missed on a standard mammogram. That number for extremely dense breasts is even higher, potentially topping 40%. What to know: Knowing your breast density type can help you understand how likely a mammogram would be to miss cancer in your breast. But that's only one part of the decision-making equation. For those with heterogeneously dense breasts, 'we typically will consider other risk factors in addition to breast density in order to decide whether to recommend supplemental screening,' said Pittsburgh-based radiologist and dense-breast expert Wendie A. Berg, MD, PhD. A list of risk factors, including family history and high BMI after menopause, is available at Bottom line: If you have extremely dense breasts, you should get supplemental screening, Berg said. If you have heterogeneously dense breasts, you should know your risk factors and talk to your doctor about what makes sense for you. 3. There are three types of supplemental screenings. Why it matters: Researchers compared these techniques — ultrasound, MRI, and contrast-enhanced mammogram — by randomly assigning them to women ages 50 to 70 with dense breasts whose mammograms didn't detect cancer. Results showed that MRI and the contrast-enhanced mammogram (using an iodine -based dye that helps reveal cancers) each found nearly five times as many cancers as ultrasound. What to know: Contrast-enhanced mammogram detected 19.2 cancers per 1,000 people scanned; MRI detected 17.4 per 1,000 scans; ultrasound detected 4.2 per 1,000. These detection rates were somewhat higher than in past studies, Berg and Etzioni said. They noted that women who get the scans repeated annually often see those detection rates drop over time. (That's because you're more likely to have an undetected past cancer than to develop a new one in the next year.) A separate study in JAMA Oncology recently showed that among women with a family history of breast cancer, just getting a slightly better scan than a standard mammogram — called a 3D mammogram — offered improved detection of advanced cancer in women with extremely dense breasts. 'That was compelling that we should really be doing [3D mammogram] as the routine screening, at least for the basic screening,' Berg said. Bottom line: If you have a family history of breast cancer, request a 3D mammogram for your initial annual screen, and when considering supplemental scans, know that some are better than others. 4. Your doctor may not automatically suggest supplemental screening. Why it matters: Berg's own doctor questioned her request to get an MRI after Berg learned that she has dense breasts. Ultimately, she got the MRI, which showed a small cancer that she said was easily treated and she has recovered. What to know: An advisory group called the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force that typically influences what insurance will cover doesn't recommend supplemental screening for people with dense breasts. Their reason: There is no multi-year clinical trial data examining whether extra screenings have drawbacks. Bottom line: It's OK to request supplemental screening, and knowing your risk factors will help during that conversation with your doctor. 'You still can't count on your doctor to provide all the information that you might need to make a decision for yourself about supplemental screening,' Berg said. 5. Not all supplemental screenings are covered by insurance. Why it matters: Not every state requires insurance to cover supplemental screenings — and in those that do, the law may not apply to every type of insurance. maintains a list of which states and plan types are required to cover it. What to know: Without coverage, out-of-pocket costs for an MRI can reach thousands of dollars, but a type called 'abbreviated' or 'quick' MRI can be lower — between $300 and $600 total. Contrast mammography and ultrasound are usually even less, and a 3D mammogram can sometimes cost an extra $40 or $50. MRIs where Berg works in Pittsburgh are booking six months out. A contrast-enhanced mammogram isn't a usual method used in the U.S., but Berg said some places are starting to offer it and testing the waters to see if insurance will cover it. The procedure only takes about 15 minutes, including the contrast dye injection, and uses a standard mammogram machine. Bottom line: 'If you have heterogeneously dense breasts, I think it really does come down to your own tolerance of other risk factors and whether your insurance will cover it, so it is more of a personal choice,' Berg said. 6. Think through your benefit/harm tradeoffs. Why it matters: Getting extra scans can be stressful, potentially expensive, and require a lot of time researching and communicating with your provider — not to mention taking time off work for appointments. What to know: Your risk calculation is complex, including the risk of missing a cancer detection. For example, ultrasound does have advantages (it's quick, noninvasive, and inexpensive), but tends not to spot cancer until the tumor is larger. There's also about a 10% risk of a false positive with most screening types. 'You have to poke a lot of people to find the people that you can help,' said Etzioni, who is an expert in data-driven medical decision-making, particularly when it comes to diagnostic testing and early cancer diagnosis. Bottom line: Deciding whether to get additional screening is personal and involves weighing your comfort with risk and the potential stress and cost of a false positive, Berg said. 'I think it's hard — you don't want to have any regrets either way. I don't know anybody who has regrets that their cancer was found too small. It's always better — if it's going to be there — to find it as early as possible.'
BBC News
05-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
'Hidden' breast cancer found in new screening study
A pioneering breast cancer trial involving more than 9,000 patients has found early stages of the disease that might be missed by regular mammograms. Researchers used a range of different scanning methods, including MRI scans and injecting dye into breast tissue, to better understand the disease. More than 1,300 patients in the trial were recruited through Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Sarah Vinnicombe, the lead breast radiologist and deputy director of screening at the Thirlestaine Breast Centre in Cheltenham, said she and her colleagues had known for a long time that mammography "even though it's a good screening tool for most women, is not perfect". The issue, she told BBC Radio Gloucestershire, comes down to the density of breast with denser tissue are at a higher risk of developing cancer, but as breast tissue and cancers both appear white on mammograms, early warning signs can be difficult to pick up. The researchers looked at three different ways of picking up early-stage cancers - a whole-breast ultrasound, a quick form of breast MRI and a type of mammogram in which patients are injected with a dye to highlight abnormal more than 9,000 women involved overall it was the first study ever to take this approach and, Dr Vinnicombe said, it yielded "fascinating" results. What the researchers found in the group of patients who had the MRI scan or contrast mammogram was a "massive increase in the number of cancers" detected. As for how their findings could impact what women are offered, Dr Vinnicombe said: "There are a lot of conversations going on in the Department of Health and the national screening committee at the moment."It's a work in progress - it's quite clear that we can't just implement contrast mammography or MRI for all those women in the country who have very dense breasts," she added, as this would amount to around 10% of the 2.2 million women screened each year. However, she added, the research had found that not all women with denser breast tissue were at higher risk - meaning the more effective techniques they had identified could be targeted at a smaller group of women.
