MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- The National Cancer Institute estimates that one in eight American women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. Early detection of breast cancer is the key to survival. Regular clinical breast exams and annual mammography after age 40 are currently recommended by the National Cancer Institute for breast cancer screening.
Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton is committed to providing our active duty, civilian and retired patients with the most advanced breast imaging available, and to that end we have recently upgraded to full digital mammography.
In traditional film mammography, the image of the breast is created directly on the film. The film is then processed through a series of chemical solutions. Once the film has been exposed and developed, it cannot be further manipulated.
In digital mammography, an electronic image of the breast is obtained and stored on a computer. Thus, images are more easily manipulated. Similar to editing digital camera pictures on your home computer, the radiologist can easily zoom in, alter the contrast, and make the picture darker or lighter. Digital mammograms also result in less radiation exposure to the patient. Finally, since digital images are electronic, they are much easier to store and retrieve.
Digital imaging also provides important advantages for the physician to aid in the detection of breast cancer. The Digital Mammographic Imaging Screening Trial, a nationwide study of digital mammography, showed that digital mammograms were significantly better in screening women under the age of 50 and pre or perimenopausal women of any age who have very dense breast tissue.
Breast ultrasounds and MRIs are two additional techniques that can provide supplementary information about breast abnormalities. At NHCP, we now routinely perform breast ultrasounds to work up breast lesions, especially to differentiate a cyst from a solid lesion.
An excellent problem solving tool, breast ultrasounds are often used to gather additional information about abnormalities seen on mammograms. It is also often useful in younger women who have a specific breast abnormality who have not yet begun screening mammograms.
However, ultrasounds do have their limitations. A recent study has suggested that whole breast ultrasounds may not be useful for screening. Breast ultrasounds work best when targeted at a specific abnormality such as a breast mass that you can feel.
Breast MRIs are another powerful adjunct to mammography. While it can pick up very early cancers, it also picks up many abnormalities which are not cancer, resulting in an increase in unnecessary callbacks and breast biopsies.
Therefore current recommendations for screening breast MRI limit the exam to certain high risk patients with a strong family history of breast cancer or patients with certain genetic abnormalities. While we are not currently performing breast MRIs here at NHCP, we do have several nearby facilities to which we routinely refer appropriate patients for imaging.
This next year will be an excellent opportunity to establish your new baseline digital mammogram. Mammography appointments are available 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Friday. Please see your primary care physician for a clinical breast exam and to be referred for an appointment.
NHCP TRICARE Prime patients with no current breast issues (mass/lump, breast discharge, breast pain, or history of breast cancer) may contact the Department of Radiology to schedule a self-request mammogram by calling (760) 725-1330. A walk-in clinic is available for asymptomatic active duty patients every Friday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Active duty patients are also welcome to call Radiology at (760) 725-1330 to schedule an appointment.