Center of Excellence for Breast Cancer at Mount Sinai Highlights Key Updates and Trends for Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2024
As we mark the beginning of Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2024, the Center of Excellence for Breast Cancer at the Tisch Cancer Institute at Mount Sinai is proud to share essential updates in breast cancer screening and technology that have the potential to significantly improve early detection and patient care. This year, our focus includes the latest mammogram guidelines, a recent Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ruling on breast density, and the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool in mammography.
New Mammogram Guidelines: In April, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommended that women begin regular mammograms at age 40, shifting from the previous guideline of age 50. We wholeheartedly support this important change, as it can lead to earlier detection and a reduction in late-stage breast cancer cases.
“Starting mammograms at age 40 can facilitate earlier diagnoses, which are crucial for effective treatment,” says Elisa Port, MD, FACS, Chief of Breast Surgery for the Mount Sinai Health System and Director of the Dubin Breast Center. “We urge women to schedule their screenings and benefit from these updated guidelines.”
FDA Ruling on Breast Density: The FDA recently mandated that mammogram reports include uniform information about breast density. Dense breast tissue can obscure tumors on mammograms and is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer.
“This new requirement will provide women around the country with essential information about their breast density, helping them make informed decisions about additional imaging if needed,” notes Laurie Margolies, MD, Chief of Breast Imaging at the Dubin Breast Center. “We are committed to offering comprehensive care and using all available information to enhance screening accuracy at all of Mount Sinai’s breast health locations.”
Advances in AI for Mammography and Breast Ultrasound: Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming mammography and breast ultrasound, significantly improving diagnostic capabilities. AI algorithms can analyze mammogram and breast ultrasound images with advanced precision, and have become a powerful tool in identifying potential abnormalities that traditional methods might overlook.
“AI technology is a tool that could represent a significant advancement in breast cancer detection,” states Dr. Margolies. “Thanks to our innovative work at the Dubin Breast Center and throughout the Mount Sinai Health System, we are leading the way in implementing AI-enhanced mammography and breast ultrasound to improve diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes.”
Breast Cancer Statistics
Breast cancer remains one of the most prevalent cancers among women, with 13 percent, or approximately one in eight, women receiving a diagnosis in their lifetime. Early detection and advanced technology are vital to improving survival rates and treatment success.
Three Things Women Should Do
- Schedule your mammogram: Follow the new guideline to begin regular screenings at age 40
- Review breast density information: Understand your breast density from your mammogram report and discuss any additional screening needs with your health care provider
- Know your risk: Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in U.S. women, behind only lung cancer.
The Center of Excellence for Breast Cancer at The Tisch Cancer Institute at Mount Sinai celebrates Breast Cancer Awareness Month because it is an important time to embrace these advances and focus on proactive care. Remember, improving your chances of survival often begins with early detection. Mount Sinai Health System encourages women to be empowered, to speak with their health care professional, to stay informed, and, if needed, to have access to the latest technologies and interventions.
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About the Mount Sinai Health System
Mount Sinai Health System is one of the nation’s leading integrated academic health systems and one of the largest in the New York metropolitan area. The Health System includes approximately 48,000 employees, more than 9,000 physicians, and 8,600 nurses across seven hospitals, more than 400 outpatient practices, over 600 research and clinical laboratories, a school of nursing, and schools of medicine and graduate school of biomedical sciences.
As a leading learning health system, Mount Sinai combines clinical expertise with scientific discovery to improve patient care while training the next generation of health care and biomedical leaders. The Health System provides care across every stage of life, from prenatal care through geriatrics, while advancing personalized medicine through artificial intelligence, data science, and biomedical research.
Mount Sinai is consistently recognized among the nation’s leading academic health systems for patient care, research, and education. The Mount Sinai Hospital is ranked No. 1 in New York and recognized as one of the world’s top Smart Hospital by Newsweek. The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai ranks No. 11 among U.S. medical schools for National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding and No. 1 among freestanding medical schools, reflecting the strength of its scientific enterprise and leadership in biomedical research.
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