Dear Women's Imaging Insider,
Breast imaging expert Bonnie Rush once told me she didn't cotton to the term Breast Cancer Awareness Month, as it does little more than scare women into -- or even out of -- compliance with recommended screening guidelines. Besides, who really wants to think about cancer?
Instead, she preferred the slogan Breast Health Awareness Month, a time for women of all ages to take the necessary steps to remain hale and hearty.
In that spirit, we kick off our coverage of Breast Health Awareness Month with an article on the appropriate age for women to undergo screening mammography. Is there such a thing as being too "old" for a mammogram? Maybe, maybe not. Click here for an article by Kelly Bilodeau of HCPro in which breast imagers weigh in on the subject.
Regardless of age, women who are encouraged by lay health advisors to undergo mammography are more likely to stick with an annual screening program, according to another study. For women who are diagnosed with cancer, maintaining an active lifestyle post-treatment can speed up the recovery process.
Now we don't want other areas of women's health to be overshadowed by the pink ribbon. So you can visit the Women's Imaging Digital Community for an article on uterine artery embolization (UAE) using PVA microspheres. Also, check out a meta-analysis highlighting ethnic discrepancies in osteoporosis risk factors. Finally, learn more about why women who have suffered a stroke benefit more from intra-arterial thrombolysis than men do.
Of course, keep an eye out for that pink ribbon throughout October for more informative articles on breast health, breast imaging, and beyond.
