Focused on Making a Difference
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month—a time to come together to raise awareness, support those affected by breast cancer, and advocate for continued research, health equity, and innovation. It’s an important moment for us all to unite, reflect, and take action toward a future where breast cancer no longer poses a threat. This month, we’re focusing on three primary areas that can make a real difference in the fight against this disease.
Mammograms Are Essential: Early Detection Saves Lives
One of the most powerful tools in the fight against breast cancer is early detection. Mammograms remain a critical part of identifying breast cancer in its earliest stages, when treatment is most effective. With the advancement of deep learning AI-powered mammography solutions, the accuracy of mammograms has improved, allowing radiologists to spot abnormalities more quickly and accurately.
AI has been proven to help reduce false positives and unnecessary biopsies, giving patients peace of mind and accelerating the path to early treatment.
Who should get a mammogram?
The general recommendation is for women at the age of 40 to begin regular mammograms. However, women with a family history of breast cancer, those with known genetic mutations (like BRCA1 or BRCA2), or those with other risk factors may need to start screening earlier. Always consult your healthcare provider to determine the best screening strategy based on your individual risk profile.
Learn more: Update on Breast Screening Recommendations
What are some reasons women skip their mammograms?
Too many women skip their mammograms due to a variety of fears or anxiety about the procedure or potential results and also lack of time and resources. It’s important to overcome these barriers as much as possible to ensure women are receiving the screening and care they need.
Overcoming Barriers: Why Some Women Delay Mammograms
Learn more: Overcoming Barriers to Breast Cancer Screening
Know Your Risk Factors: Knowledge Empowers Proactive Care
While breast cancer can affect anyone, understanding individual risk factors can help women and clinicians work together to develop personalized care plans. One of the lesser-known risk factors is breast density. Women with dense breast tissue have a higher risk of developing breast cancer, and dense tissue can also make it more difficult for traditional mammograms to detect cancer. That’s where the combination of advanced imaging technology like ProFound AI Breast Health Suite can play a crucial role in enhancing early detection accuracy.
Additional risk factors include age, genetics, lifestyle choices, and reproductive history. By staying informed about these risks, women can take proactive steps, such as modifying lifestyle factors and scheduling regular screenings, to minimize their risk.
Learn more: Know Before: Breast Cancer Risk Factors at Every Age
Graphic adapted from Monticciolo et al. 2021 Journal of the American College of Radiology
Stay Connected: Support Each Other
This October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, let’s unite in the fight against breast cancer by spreading awareness and encouraging early detection with AI-powered mammogram screenings. Whether it’s sharing important information about mammograms and risk factors, participating in local events, or simply reaching out to someone affected by breast cancer, every action matters.
Let’s show our support and raise awareness to help fight this disease—because every action brings us one step closer to a world without breast cancer. By coming together, we can transform breast health care and create a world where cancer can’t hide.
Schedule your mammogram and discover more:
References:
1. Schilling, K. Real-World breast cancer screening performance with digital breast tomosynthesis before and after implementation of an artificial intelligence detection system. Research presentation presented at European Congress of Radiology (ECR) 2023; March 1-5, 2023; Vienna, Austria.