The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 276,500 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in U.S. women by the end of 2020. While there remains a 1 in 8 chance that an American woman will develop breast cancer in her lifetime, the numbers aren’t all discouraging. Mortality rates from breast cancer continue to show slight decreases in women over 50. Dio Osorio, regional manager for radiology/rehab at Broward Health, believes that initiatives like Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October are making a difference.
“The emphasis on preventive measures, like the breast cancer awareness campaign, has been so important for the female population—and for men, who also can develop breast cancer,” Osorio says. “Preventive exams and self-examination [are] helping the statistics stabilize and decrease. The more aware that people are, the more [likely] they are to get tested.”
Broward Health continues to offer an array of cutting-edge screening technology, including “smart curve” paddles with 2D and 3D mammography at Broward Health Coral Springs and Broward Health Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale. The smart curve exam involves less compression than a traditional mammogram, providing a more comfortable experience—as well as a more detailed image.
Osorio reminds readers that the ACS recommends that women begin self-examinations at age 20 and continue through age 39. At 40, women should consult with their physicians about starting screening mammograms (which should happen yearly from ages 45 to 54). Visit browardhealth.org/mammo for more information or to schedule a mammogram.
