Better breast cancer detection should be every woman’s right
Breast cancer is the world’s most prevalent cancer and the leading cause of cancer death among women in many countries. Yet globally, the majority of women don’t have access to screening — or only have access to inadequate screening.
We’re here to change that. And it all begins by informing you about your options for better breast cancer screening.
Breast cancer screening is the process doctors use to check a woman’s breasts for cancer — even when there are no signs or symptoms. Although this process cannot prevent breast cancer, it can help find it early, when it’s easier to treat. And that’s critical.
Any woman can get breast cancer, but your risk increases as you age, and is highest over age 50.
As a result, women between ages 50 and 74 are recommended to get breast cancer screening every two years. However, depending upon where you live, and other factors (e.g., your family history, genetics, lifestyle, race, ethnicity, etc.) you may be at a higher or lower risk. Talk to your doctor — they should be able to inform you of your best screening options.
A mammogram is a low-dose X-ray image of the breast — and for most women, a mammogram is the best test available to find early signs of breast cancer.
A mammogram can reveal cancer when it’s still tiny and your chances for successful treatment are at their highest. Get screened!
Usually a radiologist (or in some countries, two, or even three, radiologists) will read your mammogram and then report the results to you and your doctor. If the mammogram is normal, your doctor will tell you to continue to get mammograms regularly (e.g., every two years). If you visit the same screening unit, every future mammogram you receive will be compared with the previous ones, and the radiologists will compare the images, looking for changes. You may consider keeping your mammograms yourself (e.g., on a CD or thumb drive) if possible.
If you have an abnormal mammogram, it does not always mean you have cancer. But you will need to have additional mammograms, tests, or exams before the doctor can know for sure. You may also be referred to a breast specialist or a surgeon for further review.
Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to computer applications developed by scientists and engineers to examine a large amount of data, identify patterns in that data, and then use that data to make decisions.
The science behind artificial intelligence (AI) is based on the concept of studying how the human brain processes information, then building computer systems that function in a similar, but much simpler, way.