s a breast cancer oncologist, I've witnessed first-hand, both the devastating impact this disease can have on patients and their families and the incredible power that early detection can have on survival and quality of life.
Breast cancer is one of the few cancers that can be detected early through regular mammography. This invaluable tool plays a crucial role in saving lives by enabling the identification of breast cancer in its early stages when treatment is often most effective.
What is Mammography?
Mammography is a specialized X-ray imaging technique specifically designed to examine breast tissue. During a mammogram, a low-dose X-ray machine compresses the breast between two plates, allowing for detailed images of the breast tissue.
Why Early Detection is Important?
Early detection is key in the battle against breast cancer. When breast cancer is caught in its early stages, treatment options are often more successful, and the chances of a positive outcome are significantly higher. Mammography is a highly sensitive tool that can detect abnormalities in breast tissue, even before they are noticeable to the touch.
Studies conducted on the 5-year survival of women with breast cancer show that as the stage of breast cancer increases, the rate of survival reduces. Patients with stage I breast cancer have a 95% chance of survival at 5 years, stage II is 92%, stage III is 70% and only 21% for stage IV patients.