This week, Bobbi Conner talks with Dr. Courtney Stewart about breast cancer risk assessment and screening. Dr. Stewart is an Assistant Professor of Radiology and a radiologist in the Division of Breast Imaging at MUSC.
TRANSCRIPT:
Conner: I'm Bobbi Conner for South Carolina Public Radio with Health Focus here at the radio studio for the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. Breast cancer screening has been found to reduce deaths from breast cancer and is an important part of routine health care for women. Doctor Courtney Stewart is here to talk about the details. Doctor Stewart is an Assistant Professor of Radiology, and she's a radiologist in breast imaging at MUSC Women's Health. Doctor Stewart, from your perspective, why is it important for women to really keep up with their breast cancer screening?
Dr. Stewart: Well, thanks, Bobbi. Well, we know that having multiple screening mammograms and comparisons helps us catch things early. The earlier we catch breast cancer, the better the outcome typically is for the patients.
Conner: Explain to us breast cancer risk assessment and how this is helpful in determining breast cancer screening recommendations for each individual woman.
Dr. Stewart: So as part of a screening mammogram assessment, women are asked several questions about their personal history, their family history, any genetic history that helps us come up with a lifetime risk assessment score. The questions we ask will help characterize your lifetime risk, and that will be either average risk, intermediate or high risk. We have different recommendations for screening based on your different risks.
Conner: And at what age is someone's first breast cancer assessment for risk typically done.
Dr. Stewart: So, we recommend that women around age 25 have a conversation with their primary care provider or their OBGYN about their potential breast cancer risk factors.
Conner: And for women who might not know their risk category, what can be done?
Dr. Stewart: So, when women come for mammograms, they're often asked questions as part of their initial intake before they have their screening mammogram. So, the risk assessment is generally included in your mammogram report.
Conner: What are the screening recommendations for women at average risk of developing breast cancer?
Dr. Stewart: Women with average risk of developing breast cancer have a lifetime risk less than 15%. We recommend that those women get a mammogram every year, starting at age 40.
Conner: And tell us about the screening recommendations for women who are considered at intermediate risk. Dr. Stewart: When we say a woman has intermediate risk of breast cancer, it means their lifetime risk is between 15 and 20%. Those women should get an annual mammogram starting at age 40, and if they have dense breasts, they should get additional supplemental imaging with either breast ultrasound or breast MRI.
Conner: What are the screening recommendations for women considered to be at high risk of developing breast cancer?
Dr. Stewart: Women at high risk of breast cancer have a lifetime risk of greater than or equal to 20%. Those women start screening earlier. We start with an annual breast MRI at the age of 25, and then we generally start with an annual mammogram in addition to the breast MRI at age 30. However, the age to start mammogram may vary based on the patient's risk factors.
Conner: What else can women do to be proactive and reduce their risk of breast cancer?
Dr. Stewart: Well, in addition to getting your annual mammogram, there are certain risk factors that women can control. You can control your weight, your level of physical activity and your alcohol consumption, all things which are known to be associated with breast cancer risk.
Conner: Doctor Stewart, thanks for talking with us about breast cancer screening.
Dr. Stewart: Thank you for having me.
Conner: From the radio studio for the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, I'm Bobbi Conner for South Carolina Public Radio.
Health Focus transcripts are intended to accurately represent the original audio version of the program; however, some discrepancies or inaccuracies may exist. The audio format serves as the official record of Health Focus programming.
