breast cancer

Health & Safety

Poll Finds Most Women Believe Mammograms Should Be Done Annually

8:26am August 31, 2015

by Scott Hensley

While the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force says most women should get screening mammograms every two years, an NPR-Truven Health Analytics poll finds women think they should go every year.

More Mammograms May Not Always Mean Fewer Cancer Deaths

10:57am July 08, 2015

by Nancy Shute

A comparison of women in 547 U.S. counties found that getting more women in for screening mammograms didn't lower death rates from breast cancer. More small cancers were found.

Women with the earliest form of ductal carcinoma in situ didn't need surgery to get a good survival advantage.

Surgery Doesn't Help Women With Early-Stage Breast Carcinoma

12:21pm June 03, 2015

by Katherine Hobson

Only women with more advanced cases of ductal carcinoma in situ benefited from surgery, a study found. Most women do have surgery for DCIS, although it's a controversial diagnosis.

Actress Rita Wilson arrives at the premiere of the documentary Fed Up in West Hollywood, Calif., in May 2014.

Second Opinions Are Often Sought, But Their Value Isn't Clear

11:24am May 27, 2015

by Michelle Andrews

Patients facing serious illnesses often seek medical reviews of their cases. Some people glean helpful advice, but researchers don't have much data about whether the consults lead to better results.

Dense Breasts Are Just One Part Of The Cancer Risk Calculus

1:00pm May 20, 2015

by Nancy Shute

Women with dense breasts are more likely to get cancer and less likely to catch it early on a mammogram. But degree of density matters too, a study finds, as do other factors like family history.

Share of Americans reporting they were up to date with certain cancer screenings in 2013

Health & Safety

Screening Rates Stalled For Common Cancers

11:56am May 08, 2015

by Scott Hensley

Many Americans aren't getting recommended screening tests for colorectal, breast and cervical cancer. Despite a public health push, there has been a lack of progress in reaching screening goals.

Federal Panel Revisits Contested Recommendation On Mammograms

10:47am May 05, 2015

by Katherine Hobson

In 2009, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force said the benefits of mammograms for women under 50 were small at best. A firestorm ensued. Now the organization is back with the same message.

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Screening Tests For Breast Cancer Genes Just Got Cheaper

12:21am April 27, 2015

by Rob Stein

A company has priced its test for mutations linked to breast and ovarian cancer at $249 — far less than the thousands of dollars another firm charges. But is there a downside for the worried well?

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Catharine Becker of Fullerton, Calif., was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer at 43 despite having a clean mammogram. The mother of three didn't know she had dense breast tissue until after she was diagnosed.

Health & Safety

Letters About Dense Breasts Can Lead To More Questions Than Answers

4:18pm April 16, 2015

by Barbara Feder Ostrov

Nearly half the states in the U.S. require that women be notified if mammograms detect that they have dense breasts. Critics say the information raises anxiety more than it improves care.

The Hidden Cost Of Mammograms: More Testing And Overtreatment

8:00am April 13, 2015

by Patti Neighmond

Each year the U.S. spends billions of dollars on unnecessary tests and treatments that result from inaccurate mammograms, some scientists say. They're calling for more selective screening.

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