Angelina Jolie Drops another Bombshell; Is Dexa Scan Next on To Do List?
By Norma E. Roth
Actress and humanitarian Angelina Jolie, who carries a BRCA mutation, recently had a prophylactic oophorectomy (removal of ovaries) in a preemptive strike against ovarian cancer. Women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations have a significantly increased risk of developing breast and ovarian cancers.
Dexa scan, an enhanced form of x-ray technology that is used to measure bone loss is generally ordered for women like Angelina Jolie who’ve undergone prophylactic oophorectomy. Why? Medical studies show women who had their ovaries removed before menopause experience bone thinning at twice the rate of women who have their ovaries. A Dexa scan provides a baseline for bone density and is a useful guide for physicians to monitor osteopenia and osteoporosis in these patients.
Unlike an MRI or CT scan, Dexa scan, is an open x-ray machine, where you lie on a table and a small part of the machine slides over your hip for imaging. The scan typically lasts less than 15 minutes, start to finish. Many women find Dexa scan easier and less stressful than other radiology diagnostic procedures. South Jersey Radiology Associates offers the Dexa scan at the Women’s Centers in Cherry Hill, Haddonfield, Greentree (Marlton), Turnersville, Voorhees, Washington Township, Cross Keys, and West Deptford.
The next item on Angelina Jolie’s medical To-Do list will most likely be a baseline Dexa scan.
About Norma E. Roth
Norma E. Roth, a breast cancer survivor, is a freelance journalist for health wellness and sustainable living. She is an advocate for annual mammography screening, believing early detection is the key to cancer survival. You can learn more about her at www.normaeroth.com.