By Annette Brooks
Each October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month paints the world pink to champion education, early detection, and research in the battle against breast cancer. Thanks to this campaign and others raising awareness, most of us know that one in eight women in the U.S. is affected by breast cancer.
Yet armed with this knowledge, 30–40% of women still skip regular screening mammograms. If you’ve been tempted to skip your screening mammogram or are an anxious first timer, please keep reading. Learn how technological advances make breast cancer screening and treatment better than ever.
Advances in Mammography, Genetic Testing, and Genomic Testing
Cutting-edge technologies and advanced screening methods have transformed how we detect and treat breast cancer.
Mammography – Today, 3D mammography (digital breast tomosynthesis) delivers sharper images, improving detection rates by up to 40% compared to 2D methods, especially for women with dense breasts. It also reduces “false positives,” which means fewer women are called back for additional imaging.
Breast MRI – This non-invasive medical imaging test uses radio waves and strong magnets to make detailed pictures of the inside of the breast. It can help detect and evaluate breast cancer, particularly in women with dense breast tissue or those at higher risk.
Genetic Screening – BRCA (BReast CAncer) mutations increase lifetime breast cancer risk to 60–70%. BRCA gene tests look for DNA changes that increase the risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer using a sample of blood or saliva. Women should consider BRCA genetic screening if they have a strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer, or if they have a personal history of breast cancer, especially at a young age (50 or younger) or of ovarian cancer.
Genomic Testing – Genomic testing on a breast cancer tumor analyzes the tumor’s genetic makeup to provide information about its behavior and potential response to treatment. This testing can help determine the risk of recurrence, guide treatment decisions, and identify targeted therapies that may be most effective. Types of genomic tests include Oncotype DX and MammaPrint. In some cases, genomic testing can help avoid unnecessary chemotherapy, especially in patients with low-risk tumors. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is a broader test that analyzes multiple genes to identify specific mutations that may indicate a need for targeted therapies.
Artificial Intelligence
AI technology is revolutionizing the fight, offering the potential to improve accuracy, efficiency, and personalization in both screening and treatment. In the U.S., AI-powered mammography systems have earned FDA Breakthrough Device designation for predicting breast cancer risk years in advance.
According to a study in “Radiology: Artificial Intelligence,” an AI tool called iBRISK (intelligent-augmented breast cancer risk calculator) could accurately predict whether abnormal tissue flagged by doctors was more likely to be benign or cancerous.
For more information, visit BreastcCncer.org/screening-testing/artificial-intelligence.
Let’s Act!
Take the time to schedule a screening mammogram, share survivor stories, and support research. Tools like AI and 3D mammography are transformative, but their impact hinges on participation. By embracing screenings and innovation, we can turn awareness into saved lives.
Early Detection Saves Lives
It saved mine, and it may save yours, too. Women diagnosed with early, localized-stage breast cancer have around a 99% five-year survival rate. And trust me, reaching the five-year mark is cause to celebrate because the majority of breast cancer recurrences happen within the first five years after treatment.
Surprising Facts About Breast CanceR
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Up to 85% of women diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history.
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The left breast is 5-10% more likely to develop cancer than the right breast, and the reason for this asymmetry remains unknown.
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Breast cancer symptoms can appear outside the breast, such as swelling or lumps around the collarbone or under the arm from lymph node involvement, even before a breast tumor is felt.
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Lumpectomy (removing only the tumor) is often as effective as mastectomy (removing the entire breast) for early-stage breast cancer and is less physically altering.
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Breast cancer deaths in the U.S. have been steadily declining since the early 1990s, resulting in over 3.1 million survivors today due to advances in screenings and treatments.
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Approximately 65% of breast cancer cases are now diagnosed at a localized stage, where the cancer hasn’t spread beyond the breast, improving outcomes significantly.
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Alcohol consumption increases breast cancer risk, with just one drink per day raising the risk by about 7-10%.
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Breast cancer can metastasize to unusual sites like the eyes or heart, though it most commonly spreads to bones, lungs, liver, or brain.
