Key points from today’s guests:
Megan Peters, recently received first mammogram
- When Megan turned 40, a combination of her age, family history, and friends being diagnosed with breast cancer prompted her to schedule her mammogram.
- The national guidelines for breast cancer screening were age 45, but they changed to 40 just as Megan made her appointment.
- She was pleased with all of the support from women in the waiting room to the nurses and techs that took her through the process.
- While she was worried about it being painful, she found that it was not. She had some discomfort, but no pain at all.
- Megan was surprised at how fast she received her results. They were in her MyChart by noon the same day.
- As somebody who's been through the experience of a child taking care of a parent with cancer, she wants to make sure if her children are ever in that position, that the cancer is at the earliest possible stage with the easiest possible treatment.
Dr. Onalisa Winblad, breast imaging specialist; division director, breast imaging, The University of Kansas Health System
- 3D mammograms are the most advanced mammogram technology we have available. They allow a radiologist to find more cancers on a mammogram and they also help reduce the number of patients that need to return for additional imaging after a screening mammogram.
- We're fortunate that all screening mammograms at the Health System are performed with this superior 3D technology.
- Digital mammogram images go directly from the mammogram unit where the images are taken to the radiologist workstation where they can be viewed and interpreted almost immediately. So typically there's little delay and the ability to read the mammogram and provide results. However, if there is a delay, it's likely because we have requested an external comparison mammogram.
- For patients who are high risk for breast cancer, such as patients with a genetic predisposition, breast cancer patients with a strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer, or patients who have had a history of chest radiation at a young age, we recommend they have breast MRI every year in addition to a screening mammogram.
- We notify patients if they have dense breast tissue because patients with dense breast tissue have a slightly higher risk of breast cancer, but they also have breast cancers that are harder and sometimes impossible to find out mammogram. So for patients with dense breast tissue, we do offer them additional breast cancer screening tests. They can choose to have breast MRI contrast enhanced mammography or ultrasound exams.
- Screening is recommended every year. If patients wait for two years, that gives cancer time to grow especially those high grade cancers that can really affect patient mortality and morbidity when we don't catch them early. The goal of screening is to find cancer at its smallest size and hopefully earliest stage and screening every year is the best chance of doing that.
- Mammograms can be scheduled by texting MAMMO to 913-588-1227 or at KansasHealthSystem.com/Mammo.
Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director, infection prevention & control, The University of Kansas Health System
- COVID hospitalizations this week are at 22 active patients. Last week, it was 19.
- COVID vaccines have had limited availability so far, but the Health System expects to receive them this week.
- Retail pharmacies may or may not have them, so check with your local pharmacy in advance.
Morning Medical Update is on TV in October! The four-part series Cancer: Choices, Hope and Science will air on Tuesdays in October. In the Kansas City area, it’s on KCTV5 at 9:30 a.m. and in Topeka, it’s on WIBW at 9 a.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 3 at 8 a.m. CT is the next Morning Medical Update. It’s Pink Week -- the first week in October dedicated to all things breast cancer. Catch up with local news anchor Cynthia Newsome participating in a new cancer trial.
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