Women are advised to test themselves for breast cancer in order to prevent the aggravation, should it occur. However, a recent study proves that mammograms may not be the most effective method in discovering the early stages of cancer.
Study shows that the denser the breast tissue is, the smaller the chances of actually discovering tumors through mammograms. In contrast, the more fatty the tissue is, the better the chances of finding a tumorous area.
The irony of living a healthy, sports-driven life is that women with higher breast density for their age are also more likely to develop breast cancer. The Australian team that conducted the research is raising an alarm, given that women in their countries are not regularly tested and therefore decreasing the chances of a clear mammogram.
Contrary to popular belief, the density cannot be determined through the means of a simple physical examination — it requires a mammogram. The X-ray of the breasts unveils the tissue density and it will appear to be white or brighter compared to the rest of the tissue, while the non-denser ones look darker.
"With the technology currently available, it is harder to see tumors in breasts with denser tissue on a mammogram. The danger is that these women are at risk of having tumors missed at the time of screening," explains Associate Professor Wendy Ingman, co-author of the research.
The main reason of the confusion is that the cancerous tumors also appear to be white on a mammogram, which makes it impossible to determine whether the white area is due to the denser tissue or it indicates a serious problem.
The researchers formed a group and decided to raise an alarm on this topic, as women who detect the tumors after 24 months have dramatically poorer results in recovering. Aptly called INFORMD, the Information Forum on Mammographic Density brings together some of the best researchers on breast density and breast cancer in Australia, gathering specialists from the country's top universities.
Breast cancer awareness campaigns are more necessary than ever, as Australia is not the only country with problems in this concern. UK women are also being denied affordable breast cancer treatment, thus contributing to the aggravation of the issue, taking into consideration how civilized both these countries are.
Being properly informed on the realistic dangers of breast cancer is crucial, particularly because mammography is the best cancer screening test for all women aged 50 to 74 who did not show any signs or symptoms.
