The importance of getting routine screening mammograms is emphasized every October – National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. But did you realize that not only when you are screened, but also where you are screened can increase the likelihood of finding cancer early when it is most treatable.

The quality of screening equipment, and more importantly, the skill of the radiologists who read the scans, can vary greatly.

“Screening is paramount for early detection,” said Karl N. Yaeger, MD, St. Luke’s University Health Network’s Division Chief of Women’s Imaging. “Earlier detection leads to better outcomes.”

The best guidelines for screening mammography, which are best supported by the literature, are issued by the American College of Radiology and Society of Breast Imaging, he advised.

Those recommendations are to begin annual screening mammography at age 40 for a woman at average risk of breast cancer.

Some patient-specific factors may result in starting screening earlier than age 40.

St. Luke’s currently has 16 women’s imaging locations, said St. Luke’s Director of Women’s Imaging Michele Brands. This includes several screening locations in Carbon and Schuylkill counties and regional breast centers in Stroudsburg, Center Valley and Phillipsburg, NJ.

“It absolutely matters where a woman receives her mammogram,” Dr. Yaeger said. “St Luke’s has invested in state-of-the-art technology. Much of the technology improves the detection of cancer. Other pieces of the technology improve patient comfort during image acquisition.”

All screening mammograms at St. Luke’s utilize digital breast tomosynthesis, which increases cancer detection while decreasing the need for additional imaging, he said.

Supplemental screening above and beyond screening mammography can be considered.

Besides technology, the skill and experience of the radiologist reading the mammogram is paramount, said Dr. Yaeger. At St. Luke’s, an expert team of radiologists specializes in reading mammograms and other breast imaging.

“One of the most important pieces of information obtained from a screening mammogram is a woman’s breast density,” Dr. Yaeger said. “Dense breast tissue can both increase the risk of developing breast cancer as well as make cancer harder to detect on screening mammograms. This information is crucial so a woman can make an informed decision regarding her personalized screening strategy.”

Currently, the most sensitive test to detect a small, early, more treatable breast cancer is breast MRI, he added. Women with dense breasts may alternatively consider automated breast ultrasound screening (ABUS) instead of MRI. Studies have shown the optimal combination of screening modalities is mammography and MRI to detect the greatest number of cancers.

St. Luke’s tailors breast screening based on individual risk factors.

A combination of carefully chosen screening exams may lead to a significant increase in early cancer detection while decreasing the amount of unnecessary return visits and biopsies.

St. Luke’s Regional Breast Cancer Centers, the first of their kind in the region, provide higher-level imaging exclusively and offer several types of screening in one location. Each has been designated a Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology.

“The Regional Breast Centers at St. Luke’s offer comprehensive breast imaging and biopsy services under the expert direction of a team of fellowship-trained breast imagers,” Dr. Yaeger said. “St. Luke’s has pioneered the nation’s first one-stop breast clinic which strives to take a woman from diagnostic imaging to biopsy results in 48 hours or less.”

The Regional Breast Centers also offer contrast-enhanced mammography, unavailable at any other institution in the region.

Breast imaging may identify suspicious findings, although it’s more likely there is nothing abnormal for most patients, he said.

Typically, the next step after detection of suspicious findings is to perform a needle biopsy. This can often be performed the same day. The small samples taken through a needle are sent to a pathologist who will render a definite answer as to whether the suspicious finding was cancerous or not.

For a breast screening location near you, 484-526-1000, option 2. or visit us at sluhn.org/radiology/services/womens-imaging.

St. Luke’s Offers Cancer Services Close to Home

Should your doctor diagnose you with breast cancer, take comfort in the fact that St. Luke’s offers comprehensive treatments and services, many of which are close to home.

This includes surgery with surgical oncologist Ali Butash, MD, of St. Luke’s General Surgery – Palmerton. Dr. Butash often works with St. Luke’s plastic and reconstructive surgeon Christopher Sanders, MD.