Did you know the probability of developing breast cancer for women is one in eight?
According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women today, after lung cancer. Even though it is far less common than in women, it is possible for men to develop breast cancer. Male breast cancers account for approximately 1 percent of all breast cancer cases.
According to Mary Slabinski, practice manager at the Associated Radiologists of Clarkston, this month, dedicated to Breast Cancer Awareness, is an opportunity to share with women the importance of cancer screening.
‘We try to use that month as a tool to make people aware and to get them to come in for their mammogram,? she said. ‘And to make sure people don’t let those screening tools slide. Those are very important.?
Beginning at age 40, all women should have annual screening mammograms, receive clinical breast exams each year and practice breast self-exams every month.
‘Early detection is the best prevention in breast cancer and the single most important thing about breast cancer is age. As you age, the more you become susceptable to breast cancer ? aging is the main factor,? said Slabinski.
AROC has been doing mammography since 1990. They perform screening as well as diagnostic mammograms. They supplement mammograms with ultra-sound examinations with what they call ‘second look,? a digital program used in addition to the analog program.
‘We have a board certified radiologist that looks at the images and determines whether or not ultra-sound exam is needed to further diagnose issue with the patient,? said Slabinski
Early signs of possible breast cancer include lumps, discharge, tenderness, or significant pain in a certain area. Slabinski said breast tissue changes with age as well. Younger women have fibrous dense tissue and as people age, they become ‘fatty replaced breast.?
AROC is approved through Mammography Quality Standards Act, Food and Drug Administration and American College of Radiation. Five mammographers are on staff, and all technologists are certified in mammography, Slabinski said.
‘We have a very great staff here, real friendly people, which is nice because it is a very tense thing for women,? she said.
AROC also offers bone densitometry test to patients, to make sure they’re not dealing with osteoporosis. The test can be scheduled at the same time when the patient comes for their mammogram. They do not do any interventional procedures at AROC, but they do provide images to surgeons if follow up care is needed.
Slabinski said AROC uses state of the art equipment, which is checked yearly by the Department of Community Health. If needed, patients can get ultra-sounds at AROC as opposed to making a second appointment.
‘Ultra-sounds can determine a cystic nature of a lump, it cannot determine if it is cancerous,? said Slabinski.
The American Cancer Society said about 77 percent of women with breast cancer are over age 50 at the time of diagnosis.
‘There are fewer mammography units in operation now than there were four years ago,? said Slabinski. ‘It’s really important to get it (a screening) done. It could be your mother, your wife, or your sister.?
Slabinski also said MRIs are becoming a more popular tool for certain breast diseases.
To commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness Month, AROC is holding a drawing for a Target gift card for patients.
AROC participates with most insurance, said Slabinski. Appointments are available for patients within a week and results are given to the patient within 24 hours. Letters to patients are written in laymen terms and letters to doctors are in medical format.
‘So that they know a report went to their doctor and it was either okay, it needs follow up care, or if it was a bad report. So they know they need to contact someone, so we don’t miss anything,? she said.
AROC is located at 7210 North Main Street, Suite 211. For more information call 248-620-9199, hours are 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. on Mon, Wed- Fri. 8 a.m. ? 7 p.m. on Tues. and 8 a.m. ? noon.
‘Every woman over the age of 40 should get screened, it’s just that simple. Your best chance of surviving a diagnosis like this is early detection. As it is with everything else, just get screened,? said Dr. Marc Kahn, Medical/ Radiology Director at AROC.