Saturday, October 14, 2017 • Page 1B
Mammography Makes a Difference
Preferred Health Directory
chiropractic care
Northwest ChiropraCtiC George G. Junkin, D.C. D.A.C.B.N. Nutritionist 11500 NW Frwy - Suite 201 Houston, Texas 77092 Tel: 713-686-0828 www.drjunkin.com
internal Medicine/Pediatrics Nutrition/ Weight Loss
The Memorial Hermann Imaging & Breast Care Center - Greater Heights offers state-of-the-art screening and diagnostic services, ultrasound, expedited diagnostic services, extended hours and other amenities. (Photo supplied)
Preventive approach helps find breast cancer early Memorial Hermann Greater Heights For The Leader Mention October and thoughts naturally turn to pumpkins, cold fronts and football. However, it’s also National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Having a mammogram is a vital step toward good breast health. Sharon Smith, M.D.; Jennifer Whitelock, M.D.; and Amber Dobyne, M.D., obstetricians-gynecologists affiliated with Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital, endorse screening mammograms for their lifesaving benefits. “There are certain abnormalities that simply cannot be detected by the patient at home and perhaps not by the physician in the office,” says Dr. Whitelock. “Some types of breast cancers are so small that they cannot be picked up in the form of a mass.” THE FIRST STEP TO DIAGNOSIS Drs. Smith, Whitelock and Dobyne follow the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ recommendation that a woman with no family history of breast cancer should have her first mammogram at the age of 40. If there is a family history, or if an abnormality is detected on a physical exam, the patient should see her physician and schedule a mammogram, even if she is younger than 40. “Genetic screening may also be recommend-
ed if a first-degree relative, such as a mom, dad or sibling, has had breast cancer,” adds Dr. Dobyne. During the physical examination, the physician takes the patient’s medical history and performs a clinical breast examination. For a returning patient, the doctor checks any changes and updates the history. Depending on the results of this clinical examination, the physician may prescribe a traditional 2-D mammogram, a diagnostic mammogram, which includes numerous additional images, or a 3-D digital mammogram, also called tomosynthesis. 3-D mammography views breast layers in greater detail. It is particularly useful for women with dense breast tissue as it can usually detect smaller breast tumors better than traditional 2D mammography. If an abnormality is detected on any mammogram, an ultrasound may be necessary. “During a clinical exam, if an abnormality is suspected, a diagnostic workup may be indicated. A diagnostic workup gives the radiologist the options of mammogram, ultrasound and biopsies, if necessary,” says Dr. Smith. SCHEDULE NOW RATHER THAN LATER A mammogram only takes about 30 min-
Schedule of Events EMBRACE Cancer Support Groups meet the second Wednesday of every month from 1-2 p.m. at Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital, 1635 North Loop West, Classroom C, Houston TX 77008
713.863.9200 427 W. 20th St. Ste #503 Houston, TX 77008 www.Thetorrescenter.com
obstetrics / Gynecology
October 26, 4:30 p.m. Breast Cancer Awareness Panel at Painting With a Twist hosted in conjunction with Harris County Precinct 4’s Senior Adult Program and Fun4Seniors Includes dinner, painting supplies and lesson To register, call 281-893-3726 or visit www.hcp4.net/sap/events. Registration is free. Featuring Dr. Ajanta Patra, M.D., Radiologist, Dr. Aparna Surapaneni, M.D., Radiation Oncologist, and Angela Sisk, MSN, RN, OCN, AHN-BC, Oncology Nurse Navigator
Dr. Stephanie Fulton Stephanie Fulton, M.D.
1740 W. 27 St. Suite 301 Houston, TX 77008 713-880-2727 www.fultonobgyn.com
See Mammography P. 2B
Major Hospitals
Yelling from rooftops: early detection saves lives By Kim Hogstrom For The Leader In October of each year, Americans observe Breast Cancer Awareness month. We talk about new treatments, we cite its statistical occurrence – one in eight women in the US – and we wear pink to honor those we’ve lost, and those who are fighting now. We do not, however, talk enough about the very first and finest line of defense: early detection. In Houston, one would be hard pressed to find a more passionate advocate for early detection than Daisha Hayden, MD. Dr. Hayden is a board certified Radiologist and the Director of the Women’s Center for Breast Care at St. Joseph Medical Center. This professional is moving mountains by speaking out - on TV news, on the radio, in print, and through numerous public engagements. Unusually gracious and warm, Dr. Hayden will put her pleasant demeanor aside and yell from rooftops to have her message heard: mammograms, starting at age 40, save lives. Research has proven that Dr. Hayden must speak out. For many years in America, annual mammograms were suggested for women starting at age of 50 or even 55. Today, most medical
Ana M. Torres, M.D. , P.A.
Daisha Hayden, MD. professionals recommend age 40. “There is still contiversy swirling around the question of when the start mammograms. The
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age of 40 is absolutely the point we recommend today,” Dr. Hayden explained. “Prior to age 40, there are fewer risk factors for breast cancer, but between 40 and 45, those risk factors double. And a mammogram will identify Ductal Carcinoma in Situ, or early cancer, a mass that often can not be detected manually.” Another factor that demands consideration is that the cancers found in younger women, tend to be more aggressive than those identified in their older counterparts. “One in six breast cancers occurs in women in their 40s and they are often aggressive types. The years of life lost to breast cancer is highest for women aged 40 to 49,” said Dr. Hayden. ”Screenings often detect cancer while it is still curable.” Heights resident Cheryl F. Harmon is herself a medical professional at Texas Children Hospital, so routine annual exams are simply a part of her life. At the age of 43, she had her third mammogram and thought little of it. Harmon is the mother of a teen son and a daughter in elementary school. With no breast cancer in her family, it was a shock to receive the news of a lump identified in
Memorial Hermann Greater Heights 1635 North Loop West Houston, Texas 77008 Tel: 713-867-2000 memorialhermann.org Physician Referral 713.222.CARE
St. Joseph Medical Center
See Detection P. 2B
in The Heights 1917 Ashland Street Houston, Texas 77008 Tel: 713-757-1000 Physician Referral 713-757-7575
Our dedicated nurses and staff have achieved national recognition for world-class care. Visit memorialhermann.org/heights
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