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Gynecological Services
Mammography & Diseases of the Breast
The prevention, detection and treatment of breast cancer continues to be a major goal in the health care of women at Opelousas General Health System. Opelousas General Health System has been accredited by the American College of Radiology since June 1990. This assures our patient state-of-the-art equipment, registered technologists, and highly qualified and trained medical personnel to assure our patients the highest standards possible. This disease strikes one in 8 women and is a major cause of death. For the 50 years that cancer mortality statistics have been recorded, little success has been achieved in reducing the 50 percent mortality rate of women with breast cancer. Earlier detection currently offers one important prospect of improving this outcome.
The obvious indications for mammography have been stated many times: (1) the presence of a physically detectable abnormality in the breast, and (2) a personal or familial history of breast cancer or fibrocystic disease.
Data from the National Breast Cancer Detection Demonstration Projects indicate that mammography is capable of detecting early, small breast cancers prior to their being detectable by physical methods. Some 47 percent of the breast cancers found were detected by mammography alone in the first two years of the program. Conversely, nine percent of the cancers found by physical examination were not detected by mammography.
With appropriate therapy one can expect a 10-year survival rate of 95 percent or greater in Stage 0 cancer and 72 percent for Stage 1 and only 40 percent for Stage 2 cancer. Thus early diagnosis becomes the keystone in attacking this disease.
Certain characteristics are accepted as strong indicators for mammograms in women of any age.
These include:
- Masses or persistent nipple discharge.
- Lumps felt by the patient but not confirmed by physician palpation.
- Scheduled breast biopsies for skin or other breast abnormalities.
- Masses scheduled for surgical removal.
- Previous surgical alteration of the breast by augmentation procedures or implants.
- Disease of other breast.
- Previous diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer.
- Family history of breast cancer in mother or sister.
- First pregnancy after age 30.
- 8Abnormal patterns in baseline mammograms suggestive of increased risk.
Recommendations of the American Cancer Society
- Self-exam monthly after age 20.
- Annual physical exam after age 35.
- Baseline mammography ages 35 - 40.
- Mammography 1-2 years ages 40 - 50.
- Mammography yearly after age 50.
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