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How regular screenings can help cancer prevention

Dr. Gwendolyn Bryant-Smith from UAMS highlights the benefits of regularly screening for cancer and how you can take control of your health.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Right now, in the United States, breast cancer remains the second most diagnosed cancer in women alongside skin cancer.   

According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer on average every two minutes. At the same time, death rates from breast cancer have been falling in recent years thanks to advancements in screenings catching more cancers before they can spread to other parts of the body.

We sat down with the Division Director of Breast Imaging at the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, Dr. Gwendolyn Bryant-Smith, to find out more.

Dr. Bryant-Smith explained that women can help their own breast health by having routine mammogram screenings. 

“There are two types of mammogram exams; a screening mammogram, and a diagnostic mammogram,” she explained.

Dr. Gwendolyn Bryant-Smith is also a radiologist who reads and interprets mammogram results almost every day. She said there are four specific aspects of breast tissue she looks for in a mammogram reading.  

“There are four key things that a radiologist looks for on a mammogram. They are masses, asymmetries, architectural distortion, and microcalcifications,” she said.  

These medical-sounding words can seem frightening, but Dr. Bryant-Smith said she and her staff understand the fear and anxiety that women may feel about getting a mammogram.

She suggests looking at screenings as a positive, because of what the technology can mean should you ever face breast cancer.

“You should not fear mammography. Mammography is your friend. You want it if there’s something abnormal going on in your breast. You want it to be found by screening. Most cancers found by screening have an extremely good prognosis for survival,” she described. 

As for screening recommendations, Dr. Bryant-Smith said there is more agreement these days among experts on what age to begin screening mammograms and how often to get them.  

“Most of the societies are all in agreement that if you’re an average risk for breast cancer, you should start mammography at age 40. And the Society of Breast Imaging, among other organizations, says the best outcomes happen if you do a mammogram every single year,” said Dr. Bryant-Smith.

Screenings may begin as early as age 30 for women at a higher risk. Your primary care doctor can help you with a risk assessment.   

If a woman does develop breast cancer, Dr. Bryant-Smith added that the multidisciplinary team at UAMS will be ready to walk you through your journey, from start to finish.

"When we call you, we are immediately getting you set up with our interdisciplinary team, with our breast surgeon for further care," she said. "This is not a ‘you come here, and we drop you’, we coordinate your care.” 

All of the tools and treatments available are tailored to every patient, but Dr. Bryant-Smith added that the most important job a person can do for themselves is to maintain a screening routine.

“Breast cancer is very curable if caught early. Remember that fear and allowing yourself to be paralyzed by fear, and not treated is the real evil in this whole thing. Because you’re not catching it when you should. Don’t fear it. Be in control. Be in control of your health,” she said. 

   

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