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Penn's Women's Health Newsletter | Penn Medicine

The Importance of Mammograms: When Should You Be Screened?
noreply@blogger.com (Penn Medicine) Tue, 13 Jul 2010 07:05:00 -0700
A Review of the Latest Breast Cancer Screening RecommendationsIn the fall of 2009, mammography, a routine breast cancer screening method for women ages 40 and over, was thrust into the spotlight. In question were the newly released United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) revised guidelines for mammogram screening.The federally appointed task force recommends:Women at average risk should wait to get routine screening mammograms until they are age 50, instead of the current standard of age 40. It also advises that women ages 50 to 74 have mammograms every two years and discourages doctors from advising women to examine their own breasts regularly.These nonbinding guidelines seek to reduce overtreatment. They are not a mandated policy for all physicians, health care organizations or insurance companies to follow. As such, many women in their 40s and some providers are uncertain as to the action they should take regarding mammogram screening.Diana Petitti, MD, MPH, Vice Chair of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, states, “If you are a woman in your 40s, you should talk to your doctor and make an informed decision about whether mammography is right for you based on your family history, general health, and personal values.”The Response to the USPSTF’s Revised GuidelinesLeading medical groups and cancer organizations continue to recommend annual mammography for women 40 and over.The American Cancer Society (ACS) has not changed their guidelines and continues to recommend annual mammography for women 40 and over.Otis W. Brawley, MD, Chief Medical Officer of the American Cancer Society, states, “Our experts make this recommendation having reviewed virtually all the same data reviewed by the USPSTF, but also additional data that the USPSTF did not consider. When recommendations are based on judgments about the balance of risks and benefits, reasonable experts can look at the same data and reach different conclusions.”Both the USPSTF and the ACS agree that there are some downsides to cancer screening. These include false-positives, unnecessary treatment, radiation exposure, psychological impact and at times, missed cancers. Therefore, women instructed to have a mammogram should be fully informed of both the benefits and the risks of the procedure.Dr. Brawley continues, “We specifically noted that the overall effectiveness of mammography increases with increasing age. But the limitations do not change the fact that breast cancer screening using mammography starting at age 40 saves lives.”The American College of Radiology (ACR) and the Society of Breast Imaging (SBI) jointly issued new recommendations in January 2010 on the use of imaging modalities for breast cancer screening. These organizations both recommend that women with an average risk of developing breast cancer should start annual mammography screening at age 40.Antje Greenfield, MD, a Penn Medicine radiologist, remarks on other key elements from the ACR and SBI statement. “The statement pointed out important facts about mammography. Mammography has reduced the breast cancer death rate in the United States by 30 percent since 1990. If performed only every other year in women aged 50-74, mammography would miss 19 to 33 percent of cancers that could be detected by annual screening.”Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, the world’s leading breast cancer advocacy organization, encourages women to be aware of their breast health, understand their risks, and continue to follow existing recommendations for routine screenings including mammography beginning at age 40.Get The FactsOne-third of breast cancers are diagnosed in women aged 35 to 54.This year, about 192,370 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in women.African American women are more likely than women of other races to develop breast cancer before age 40.Mammograms can detect 80 to 90 percent of breast cancers in women—even before symptoms occur.Women with a family history of breast cancer are twice as likely to develop the disease.Early detection is key.The earlier breast cancer is diagnosed, the better the chances are for a good outcome. Penn Medicine Weighs In on the IssueA woman’s chance of developing breast cancer during her lifetime is approximately 1 in 8 (12 percent). Excluding cancers of the skin, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States, accounting for 1 of every 3 cancers diagnosed, and is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in women in the U.S.“Detecting breast cancer early saves thousands of lives each year,” states Deborah Driscoll, MD, Chair of Penn Medicine’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. “Physicians within Penn ob/gyn practices continue to inform patients about breast self exam and recommend that patients begin mammogram screening at age 40.”The earliest sign of breast cancer is an abnormality depicted on a mammogram, before it can be felt by the woman or her physician. If breast cancer is found by touch, it may be large and have already spread. The size of a breast cancer and how far it has spread within the body are important factors in predicting the prognosis (survival outlook) for a woman with the disease.Emily Conant, MD, Chief of Breast Imaging at Penn’s Department of Radiology, states, “We know that screening via mammography has an impact. It decreases breast cancer deaths. I think if you look at it from an individual woman’s stand point, we all would like to be the one who, if we do have to get cancer, was diagnosed early to have the greatest treatment options."“Penn Medicine cancer programs such as Abramson Cancer Center and the Joan Karnell Cancer Center maintain their mammogram recommendations to begin breast cancer screening at age 40," states Katrina Armstrong, MD, MSCE, Chief of Penn Internal Medicine and co-director, Cancer Control and Outcomes Program at Abramson Cancer Center. "We are working hard to find new and better ways to prevent breast cancer and detect the disease in its early stages to further reduce breast cancer mortality rates.”There’s one thing that everyone can agree on—the new USPSTF recommendations for mammography screening will spark more discussions between women and their doctors about the benefits and risks of these screenings for the early detection of breast cancer.Trust Penn Medicine with Your Breast HealthSchedule Your Mammogram Today!Penn Radiology, an internationally renowned program, is committed to providing comprehensive radiology services to the Philadelphia region. Locations include:Penn Medicine at Radnor250 King of Prussia Road Radnor, PAPenn Presbyterian Medical Center51 N. 39th Street Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania Hospital800 Spruce Street Philadelphia, PAPerelman Center for Advanced Medicine*3400 Civic Center Boulevard Philadelphia, PAThe Tuttleman CenterPenn Medicine at Rittenhouse1840 South Street Philadelphia, PAAsk about same day appointments.Penn radiologists practice at suburban/affiliate hospitals and facilities throughout Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties. To schedule an appointment, call 800-789-PENN (7366) or visit PennMedicine.org/radiology.* Adjacent to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) Services at Penn Fertility Care
noreply@blogger.com (Penn Medicine) Tue, 13 Jul 2010 07:04:00 -0700
What is Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis?Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is used to determine whether embryos produced through in vitro fertilization (IVF) carry a gene mutation associated with a specific inherited disorder (i.e. cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, Tay Sachs). Unaffected embryos are selected for transfer to the uterus.Anuja Dokras, MD, PhD, medical director for Penn Fertility Care’s In Vitro Fertilization Program, states, “PGD greatly reduces the risk that a couple will pass the disease onto their child. Thousands of PGD cycles have been performed worldwide, resulting in the birth of healthy babies.”Who should consider preimplantation genetic diagnosis when trying to conceive?PGD can be beneficial to couples who have a high risk of having a child with a severe genetic disorder. They may choose PGD for many reasons, including:Loss of a child from the disease.Fetus or child from a previous pregnancy affected by genetic disorder.Relative with the disease.Objection to termination of a future pregnancy affected by genetic condition.PGD can also be used to determine if embryos have chromosomal disorders, such as unbalanced translocations, deletions or duplications of chromosomal material, or aneuploidy (i.e. Trisomy 21). Chromosomal abnormalities can prevent an embryo from implanting in the uterus, lead to pregnancy loss (miscarriage) or result in the birth of a child with birth defects and/or mental retardation.Specific to chromosomal issues, this technique is offered primarily to couples when one partner has a balanced translocation or other chromosome abnormality. In these situations, PGD reduces the risk of achieving a pregnancy that will miscarry due to chromosome abnormalities or from having a chromosomally abnormal child.Other prenatal genetic testing Dr. Dokras adds, “Genetic counseling is an important step for patients to take to ensure that PGD is the right option for them. In addition, PGD does not replace prenatal testing, such as chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis. The technique provides diagnostic information based on the analysis of a single cell. Therefore, prenatal testing is still recommended, as this is currently the standard-of-care.”To learn more about preimplantation genetic diagnosis or to refer a patient, please contact Penn Fertility Care at 800-789-PENN (7366) or log on to PennMedicine.org/fertility.Penn Fertility Care LocationsHospital of the University of Pennsylvania3701 Market Street, 8th FloorPhiladelphia, PA 19104Pennsylvania Hospital801 Spruce Street, 7th FloorPhiladelphia, PA 19107Penn Health for WomenPenn Medicine at Radnor250 King of Prussia RoadRadnor, PA 19087
Hot, Sweaty and Expecting: Pregnancy Tips for Summer
noreply@blogger.com (Penn Medicine) Tue, 13 Jul 2010 07:03:00 -0700
The summer months can be an uncomfortable time for some pregnant women. In addition to the discomfort caused by heat and humidity, the sunshine-filled summer months can also pose serious medical risks for both the expectant mother and baby. It is important to keep the following tips in mind, according to Yu-Hsin Wu, MD, assistant professor of clinical obstetrics and gynecology at Penn Medicine.Stay CoolA woman’s body temperature naturally increases during pregnancy, which makes pregnant women particularly susceptible to overheating during the hot summer months. Overheating, also known as hyperthermia can have serious medical implications for mother and baby, including heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and, in extreme cases, heat stroke. Obstetricians recommend that pregnant women stay cool in shaded or air conditioned areas.Remain HydratedDuring the summer months, it is crucial that expectant women remain hydrated, especially when outside. Pregnant women often experience swelling during summer months, which places them at a greater risk of dehydration. The consequences of dehydration range from mild to serious and include headaches, dizziness, fainting, increased risk of urinary tract infections, and premature contractions and delivery. Obstetricians recommend that pregnant women drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day to remain hydrated during the summer months.Exercise with CautionAlthough doctors recommend exercise through the summer months for expectant mothers, they urge women to follow some basic health precautions. These include replenishing water lost during the workout, exercising in moderation, wearing sunscreen and, most of all, listening to your body signals.Dr. Wu recommends that you contact a health care provider or go directly to the hospital for evaluation if any of the following symptoms persist:Contractions every 10 minutes or more oftenChange in vaginal discharge including leaking fluid or bleedingPelvic pressureLow, dull backacheVaginal leaking of fluid or bloodCramps that feel like menstrual painsAbdominal cramps with or without diarrhea“Pregnant women experiencing any of these symptoms should immediately move to a cool area to rest and aggressively rehydrate with water. If symptoms do not resolve quickly, they should contact their obstetrician or go to the hospital right away,” cautions Dr. Wu.To schedule an appointment with a Penn Ob/Gyn Care specialist, please call 800-789-PENN (7366) or log on to PennMedicine.org/obgyn.

Women's Health / Gynecology News From Medical News Today

Link Between Girls' Early Puberty And Unstable Environment Via Insecure Attachment In Infancy
Wed, 01 Sep 2010 04:00:00 -0700
Girls are hitting puberty earlier and earlier. One recent study found that more than 10 percent of American girls have some breast development by age 7. This news has upset many people, but it may make evolutionary sense in some cases for girls to develop faster, according to the authors of a new paper published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science...
Study Reveals That American Women Are Happier Going To Church Than Shopping On Sundays
Wed, 01 Sep 2010 04:00:00 -0700
A new study conducted by a Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) researcher, together with a researcher from De-Paul University, reveals that women in the United States generally derive more happiness from religious participation than from shopping on Sundays...
Swiss Breast Cancer Patient Becomes First In World To Receive Treatment Using Gated RapidArc From Varian Medical Systems
Wed, 01 Sep 2010 03:00:00 -0700
A 51-year-old breast cancer patient from Switzerland has become the first person in the world to be treated using Gated RapidArc®, which makes it possible to monitor patient breathing and compensate for tumor motion while quickly delivering radiotherapy during a continuous rotation around the patient...
Bladder Cancer Risk May Be Decreased By Increasing Selenium Intake
Wed, 01 Sep 2010 03:00:00 -0700
A common mineral may provide protection against bladder cancer. According to results of a study published in the September issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, selenium intake is associated with decreased risk of bladder cancer...
Preventive Surgeries Linked To Lower Risk Of Breast And Ovarian Cancer
Wed, 01 Sep 2010 01:00:00 -0700
Women with the inherited mutations of the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes who had preventive (prophylactic) breast removal (mastectomy) or the removal of the fallopian tubes and ovaries (salpingo-oophorectomy) were found to have a significantly lower risk of developing ovarian and breast cancers, says a study published in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association), September 1st issue...
Increased Heart Attacks In Young Italian Women
Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0700
The incidence of acute myocardial infarction in Italy sharply increased, particularly among young women, between the years 2001 and 2005, according to a comprehensive study funded by the Human Health Foundation (HHF), a nonprofit Italian charity for biomedical research and health education in Spoleto, Italy. The results were published in Aging Clinical Experimental Research...

 
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