Patients
Breast ultrasound is a wonderful diagnostic tool. It is non-invasive, uses no radiation, and captures highly detailed images. It is used throughout the world as a diagnostic tool and, in some countries, as a screening tool to look for early signs of breast cancer.
The American College of Radiology has sponsored a trial to demonstrate the effectiveness of using ultrasound in screening for breast cancer. Phase 1 results of the trial show that breast ultrasound is indeed effective in screening women at a higher risk of the disease. As a powerful imaging and analysis tool, B-CAD has an important role to play in helping doctors accurately read breast ultrasound images. B-CAD works from the same images that are obtained as part of a normal breast ultrasound exam — you do not need any additional screening to have B-CAD used as part of your exam. B-CAD is a computer software solution that enables a radiologist to look at your ultrasound images, locate the edges of a lesion and, using standard medical protocols, analyze the lesion to determine whether a biopsy is necessary. B-CAD is also helpful in that it automatically records detailed notes that will help when comparing this year’s exam to the one you take next year.
You can find out more about breast ultrasound imaging in these articles:
When a Mammogram Isn’t Enough Wall Street Journal 24 June 2008
A Mammogram is Not Enough Cancer Schmancer
You can find out more about breast cancer at these sites:
American Cancer Society
www.cancer.org
Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Crusade
www.avoncompany.com/women/avoncrusade/
Fight Breast Cancer
National Breast Cancer Coalition
www.natlbcc.org
National Breast Cancer Foundation
www.nationalbreastcancer.org
National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN)
www.nccn.org/patients/patient_gls/_english/_breast/contents.asp
Oncolink
www.oncolink.com
Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
cms.komen.org/komen/index.htm?ssSourceNodeId=361&ssSourceSiteId=Komen
The Breast Cancer Site
www.thebreastcancersite.com
Y-Me National Breast Cancer Organization
www.y-me.org
Cancer Schmancer
www.cancerschmancer.org