October is an important time at Imaging Associates to raise awareness about the impact of breast cancer.
It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and once again, we are proud to partner with Pink Hope, a fantastic preventative health hub helping the community manage and reduce their risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
According to Pink Hope, there have been 145,000 fewer mammograms performed this year, for a number of reasons.
The increased pressures on many including multiple lockdowns and home schooling are causing concern that women are delaying screening, and as a result, we are also seeing less women attending our clinics.
Risk for younger age groups
Furthermore, the routine breast screening programme with the BreastScreen Victoria Screening Service has now prioritised mammograms for women 50-75, due to the long waitlist.
This means that any woman in this age group will receive their mammogram first, without a referral and above all other age groups. But this won’t benefit younger age groups and may also contribute to more undiagnosed cases amongst at risk women.
With fewer women coming forward, this could mean less opportunities for early detection and the opportunity to dramatically increase survival rates – Australia still loses approximately 3000 women to breast cancer each year.
That’s why our important message is for women to check their breasts regularly. If you do notice an irregularity or change, you will need to see your GP immediately. After all, prevention is better than cure.
Emerging breast density risk
Did you know that mammographic breast density is emerging as one of the strongest independent risk factors for breast cancer?
Women with dense breasts are not only at increased risk of developing breast cancer, but dense breasts are also more likely to mask breast cancer, which may result in delayed detection on mammogram.
We now use Volpara software that can accurately and objectively measure mammographic breast density, with the Volpara measurement of breast density provided on your mammography report.
We have also introduced Transpara ‘Artificial Intelligence’, which improves the detection of breast cancer on mammograms by acting as an ‘extra pair of eyes’. We are the first site in Australia to offer this technology. Studies show Transpara improves both sensitivity and specificity in radiologist reporting of mammograms.
Highest quality mammography
If you require a mammogram, we have dedicated mammography clinics in Mitcham, Box Hill and Wagga Wagga that offer high definition 3D mammography (breast tomosynthesis) serviced by our team of highly specialised breast radiologists.
This means you will have a specialised breast radiologist, rather than a general radiologist, offering the highest quality breast service to review your mammogram, prepare your report and be available for your referring doctor to talk to if required.
Imaging Associates is proud to support Pink Hope during Breast Cancer Awareness month and will be donating $5 per mammogram performed at our Box Hill or Mitcham clinics.
You can show your support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month by booking your mammogram today.
