Dear AuntMinnie Member,
Should women over the age of 75 undergo breast screening? It might seem like a no-brainer to any radiologist or women's health advocate, but believe it or not it's a point of debate in the hypercharged atmosphere swirling around mammography screening.
Mammography skeptics claim that there's little data to support breast screening past age 75, and many go so far as to claim that screening's value is diminished in women who might die anyway from some other disease. Screening proponents counter that women are living longer these days, and there's no reason to deny older women screening's benefits.
Now, new data have become available that support the idea of screening after 75. Presented at the recent San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, the findings indicate that the breast screening of older women meets established thresholds for cancer detection. Read more by clicking here.
While you're in our Women's Imaging Community, check out this story on whether Latina women are getting the message on the importance of getting supplemental imaging if they have dense breast tissue. These stories and more are available in our Women's Imaging Community at women.auntminnie.com.
Arab Health preview
There aren't many medical conferences larger than the RSNA show, but Arab Health is one of them. This massive meeting is scheduled to start on January 25, and we're bringing you a preview of the Total Radiology segment of the show in our AuntMinnie Middle East special section.
Authored by contributing editor Inga Stevens, the article discusses what are sure to be the hot topics at the show, including radiation dose management, challenges facing sonographers, and other important issues. Click here for more, or visit AuntMinnie Middle East at middleeast.auntminnie.com.
Easing MRI anxiety
Many patients experience claustrophobia and severe anxiety when receiving a MRI study, a dynamic that can lead to cancelled or repeat exams. Some alternative medicine practices might offer some comfort for these skittish patients, however, according to a presentation at the 2015 RSNA meeting in Chicago.
Providing claustrophobic patients with a combination of aromatherapy and breathing methods prior to their MRI exams produced a significant reduction in patient anxiety levels, according to a study presented by Selena Glenn of Konxja Consulting. Click here to learn more, or stop by our MRI Community at mri.auntminnie.com.
