An article in the July 2003 Ocology News International journal states about a German Study,  

   “ When MRI was compared with mammography and ultrasound in a German study of 462 women with proven or suspected hereditary  breast cancer (abstract 4), it “was the most powerful tool to detect cancer, classify lesions, and prevent unnecessary biopsies,” said Christiane Kuhl, MD, associated professor of readiology and neuroradiology, University of Bonn.  The study included women who had or were likely to have BRCA mutations based on genetic testing or pedigree analysis.  Women in the study underwent annual two-view mammography, high-resolution ultrasound, and MRI.  Dr. Kuhl reported on imaging findings after the first 5 years (1996 to 2001) of the ongoing study.

  The first midterm results of this prospective clinical trial showed that MRI was more sensitive in detecting breast cancer than either of the other imaging modalities.  MRI had a sensitivity of 95% vs 34% for mammography and 42% for ultrasound.  MRI depicted all but 2 of a total of 51 cancers detected in the study population, while mammorgraphy and ultrasound found less than half of the cancers, Dr. Kuhl said.”

 This is the article that came out the week after my lumpectomy.  Talk about God’s timing.  Even showing  and discussing this article with 4 specialists, it took persistence for me to get my MRI ordered which showed up 2 other spots of cancer, both about 1cm in size, that 5 specialists doing breast exams, 2 mammograms and an ultrasound had missed.   Since my MRI and speaking with doctors and administrators of both local hospitals, both Aspirus hospital and St. Claires changed their plans for just mammograms to include breast MRI machines as well.  Also the oncologist are now ordering many more breast MRI’s since my case.   I feel in some small way I have helped save a few lives by being persistent in insisting for a breast MRI for myself.  Although like I have said before, I wouldn’t have known to ask for a breast MRI unless God had worked out the details. 

.   I’ve contacted many research centers in the U.S. and talked with many physicians to do a study on breast MRI’s for women, especially younger women with dense breast tissue that have found a cancerous lump that did not show up on Mammogram, to be automatically followed up with a breast MRI.  I don’t see it happening yet but I personally feel this is what needs to be done. 

 Also there are other oncology articles that question the safety of mammograms with women with BRCA (breast cancer) genes 1 and 2 and if the radiation in the mammogram tests activates the cancer gene to grow.   

Also there are some thoughts the NSAIDS, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs protect against breast cancer.

From the Oncology News International 2003 by Dr. Harris.

 “Study Results:  Regular NSAID use (defined operationally as two or more tablets per week), for 5 to 9 years, was associated with a 21% reduction in breast cancer risk, while regular use for 10 or more years resulted in a 28% risk reduction, Dr. Harris reported.”  

“Ibuprofen (200mg) proved more effective than regular (325mg) aspirin (49% vs 21% risk reduction), while use of low-dose aspirin (less than 100mg) or acetaminophen, an analgesic with little or no anti-inflammatory activity, showed no effect.”

 NSAIDS are medications like aspirin and ibuprofen.

 Another big issue is fat intake in our diets.  Eating a low fat diet can be more effective than chemotherapy in certain stages and types of breast cancer. 

 At a Christmas party with co-workers, one of the oncologist brought up how cancer never metastasizes to muscle.  You can get cancer in the muscle but other types of cancer will never go there.  Why is that?  What is it about muscle cells that make it immune to metastasis?  This is something that needs to be studied. 

 These are a few of the concerns and thoughts that are near and dear to me.  I hope you find it enlightening.

Feel free to contact me any time with any questions or concerns.

Mary Kowatch