END THE CONFUSION: BEGIN ANNUAL MAMMOGRAM SCREENING AT AGE 40

(CHERRY HILL, NJ) — For women confused by the American Cancer Society’s recently revised guidelines regarding when and how often to have mammogram screening, Dr. William F. Muhr, Jr., President of South Jersey Radiology, offers the following advice: “Begin yearly mammograms at age 40, in accordance with the very strong, very clear, and life-saving rec-ommendations of the American College of Radiology (ACR) and the Society of Breast Imaging (SBI).”

One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women; but studies confirm that, when detected early, it is the most treatable. In fact, recent randomized control trials, particularly the largest (Hellquist et al) and longest running (Tabar et al) breast cancer screening studies in history, reconfirm that regular mammography screening cut breast cancer deaths by roughly a third in all women ages 40 and over, including women ages 40–49.

“I can’t emphasize this enough,” Dr. Muhr said. “Annual mammogram screening, beginning at age 40, saves lives.”

Dr. Catherine Piccoli and Dr. Sherrill Little, co-directors of SJRA’s nine Women’s Imaging Cen-ters, offer another reason for starting screening at age 40: “Finding cancer early not only saves lives, it makes treatment easier. If a woman is interested in finding a cancer early when treat-ment is less formidable, yearly mammograms are her best bet.”

SJRA is committed to providing low-dose, cutting-edge technology for its patients. And, since a mammogram is only as good as the radiologist who reads it, SJRA has hired the best team of Women’s Imaging Specialists and radiologists in the Delaware Valley.

“Our physicians read thousands of mammograms each year,” Dr. Muhr said. “Recent literature demonstrates that facilities and radiologists who do more examinations have better cancer de-tection rates.”

SJRA was also the first in the region to offer 3D mammography (tomosynthesis). “For patients with dense breasts, 3D mammography is a more accurate screening tool because of its ability to take individual images through layers of the breast,” Dr. Muhr said. Dr. Muhr also noted that, for patients concerned about “false positives,” 3D technology results in fewer call backs – which means less anxiety and greater peace of mind.

Amidst the confusion of revised guidelines, Dr. Muhr offers clarity: “Our position hasn’t changed. Begin annual screening at age 40 unless you and your doctor determine that your risk factors and family history warrant starting earlier.”

“And share this advice with your loved ones,” he added.

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