Over the past few weeks we have not done any breast imaging. This was due to a number of factors, initially due to a glitch in paperwork. While we have been waiting for documentation, it has offered a time of reflection on what we are offering, why we are offering it and how we are offering it.
Current Practice
For the past 50 years there has been a strong campaign to promote mammography for breast cancer screening and discourage other forms of breast imaging. This is just as relevant today, with recent articles in the media warning women against new breast screening, “as mammograms are the only proven breast cancer screening technology”.
In Australia, BreastScreen has been operating for 19 years. It offers a free screening mammogram to women with NO symptoms (asymptomatic). Despite this,
43% of women targeted (50-69 years) do not have a screening mammogram
Women under 50 are not targeted for a screening mammogram
Women under 40 are not eligible for a screening mammogram
Women over 70 are no longer invited for a screening mammogram
Breast cancer is now top of mind for many women, who worry about their breast health and risk.
What we are offering
Safe Breast Imaging recognises that women are concerned about their breast health and want to monitor and check their breast health. We therefore offer an option of breast imaging for women who:
• currently have no breast imaging at all
• want additional information regarding their breast health
The imaging offered by Safe Breast Imaging is another tool for practitioners and patients to assess the current status of breast health.
We do NOT suggest the imaging is a replacement for a mammogram. It is a replacement for no imaging. It is also an adjunct to other forms of breast imaging.
The MEM electrical impedance device used by Safe Breast Imaging maps the electrical properties of breast tissue. It is not an x-ray (no radiation), not thermography (not heat), not ultrasound. It maps lumps and breast structure. In addition it also highlights asymmetry, glandular tissue, hormonal imbalance and other factors that give an indication of current breast health. Watch the procedure here: http://bit.ly/avod2H.
The Safe Breast Imaging doctor, who reads and interprets the MEM images, expects to see normal patterns and some symmetry. Subtle differences from one side to the other are identified, which can indicate anomalies. Results have shown that women who have abnormal images often have other hormonal issues past, present and future which can increase their risk. Working with their health practitioner to make changes is encouraged.
Why we are offering Imaging
Women do not want breast cancer. Despite pressure from cancer experts, radiologists, surgeons, oncologists, doctors, etc, to stick to the proven methodology (find cancer and treat it), women are looking at other options of imaging, lifestyle choices, prevention strategies and treatment strategies. You know that.
For the past 6 years, Australian women have included MEM electrical impedance breast imaging as part of their breast health strategy. The MEM is not treatment, rather a tool to provide an indication of their current breast health status.
Breast cancer is very difficult to find, no matter what the technology. In Australia, 17% of all women diagnosed through the BreastScreen program (1 in 6) have interval cancers. Nearly 50% of all breast cancers diagnosed in women 40-49 years are interval cancers (Screening Monograph No.1/2009 BreastScreen Australia Evaluation, Final Evaluation Report).
How we offer MEM Imaging
While breast health is important for most women, it is not urgent until there is a problem that manifests for many. To acknowledge this, we have worked from over 170 venues in the past year. We have created a model of going to the women in their community – city or regional. This has worked best with the clinics who have actively participated in advising their patient base that the MEM imaging will be offered from their clinic.
You realise that you need to make it as easy as possible for your patients to undertake your recommendations. Patients have good intentions, but a combination of time, other priorities, ease and procrastination mean that your patients often don’t follow through on treatment and strategies. By offering breast imaging in your clinic, it is an environment patients are familiar with. It also reinforces the need to work with the practitioner, as it is rare for us to see breasts that are particularly healthy.
In order to maximise our time and yours, we are confirming clinics who wish to offer the breast health imaging option to their female patients. This service is a starting point for women to improve their health and outcomes. The MEM imaging is looking for indicators of early change – often these precede anatomical evidence.
As a health practitioner, you have three options:
1. Offer a regular imaging service from within your clinic, outsourcing the service to Safe Breast Imaging.
2. Let your patients know that there is an option, and they can find a location and time that suits. The report can be copied to you.
3. Do nothing.
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