My partner and I just got back from two large medical symposia directed to breast cancer and related imaging studies such as mammograms, ultrasound examinations, MRIs, and emerging technologies. So instead of answering a few questions this month, I thought I would highlight some bullet points that were presented at those meetings, points that I think would be important to women and their health.

1. Women who are becoming aware of the term “dense breast tissue” may not be aware of it’s relationship to cancer detection on a mammogram.

2. MRI before surgery (lumpectomy for breast cancer) seems to be an extremely useful test in detecting the extent of primary disease and finding additional hidden disease.

3. For women contemplating mastectomy, MRI is useful in showing a woman that she has no additional cancerous lumps, and therefore can very likely get a lumpectomy instead.

4. A fair number of women who have a lumpectomy do not get the recommended mammogram follow up after surgery.

5. Uninsured women who are not eligible for Medicare (too young) often delay care when a mammogram shows a potential abnormality.

6. There is no clear-cut evidence for stopping mammograms at age 75 as long as the woman is in good health.

7. 3D/Tomosynthesis mammograms are significantly better than standard digital mammograms regardless of whether a woman has high, normal or low density breast tissue.

If anyone reading this is interested in me pursuing any of these topics further, please email me at mike@breastdiagnostic.com, and I will see what I can do. Any other questions you may have are also welcome.

Michael J. Ulissey, M.D., is a partner at the Breast Diagnostic Centers of Auburn and Federal Way. In addition to taking care of patients locally, he continues to participate in research as an adjunct professor at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center.