According to a new study in Value in Health, women really are damaged by the psychological stress of an abnormal mammogram finding that turns out to be benign. The co-author of the study, John Bordersen reported that previous studies of the long-term psychological consequences of these false alarms have used inadequate measures.
The latest survey, developed by Brodersen and his colleagues, focuses on six psychosocial dimensions; anxiety, behavioral impact, sense of dejection, impact on sleep, breast examination and sexuality. The survey showed that women who had an abnormal screening mammography later confirmed to be false-positive were negatively impacted in all six categories.
Original Article: Validation of a Condition-Specific Measure for Women Having an Abnormal Screening Mammography. Institute of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
COMMENT: Between 10 and 25 percent of women who undergo a screening mammogram are called back for further tests. The vast majority of these follow up visits find nothing to be concerned about. But in the mean time, women are under a lot of stress, leading to increased cortisol levels. This hormone, produced by the adrenal glands, activates three separate enzymes in the breast. The result is increased levels of estrogen in the tissues…and if there is an abnormality present, increased estrogen can ”feed” the problem. The result? The finding may be benign this year, but a very small abnormality may start to grow…
The addition of thermography could greatly reduce fears of an abnormal mammogram. If the area is “cool” on the thermogram, it is likely that the mammogram finding is benign. Conversely, if the thermogram finding is “hot,” there is reason for concern.
At the VilleMarie clinic in Montreal, Canada, Professor John Keyserlingk has been combining thermography with mammography for nearly a decade. In a study published in 1998 he reported that the value-added of a thermogram increased cancer detection rates from 85 per cent to 95 per cent. (REF: J. Keyserlingk, M.D.; Time to Reassess the Value of Infrared Breast Imaging? Oncology News Int., 1997; V 6, No. 9.)
Similarly, a study published in 2003 by Dr. Yuri Parisky found thermography could help to distinguish benign and malignant lesions in patients undergoing biopsy. The findings did not correlate 100 percent, but nothing in medicine ever is 100% certain.
Thermography is a breast health tool that can save you *lots* of anxiety.
