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A: Please call the Faulkner-Sagoff Breast
Imaging and Diagnostic Centre at (617) 983-7272 to request an appointment
for a mammogram. You will need to provide information including your
name, date of birth, phone number, address, and the name of the physician
to whom we should send the report. If you have had films taken previously,
you will be asked to bring those to your appointment. |
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A: Faulkner Hospital offers
free mammograms to uninsured women over 40. Please call (617) 983-7451
for more information. Appointments are required. |
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A: For information on requesting
films, please
Click Here. |
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A: Information can be found
at the Faulkner Hospital Patient/Family Resource Center located at
Faulkner Hospital, on the 3rd floor across from the cafeteria. The
current hours of operation are from 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. on Mondays,
Wednesdays and Thursdays, and from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. on Tuesdays
and Fridays. Click
Here for some suggested websites. |
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A: You should begin scheduling annual mammograms
starting at age 40. If, however, you have a first degree relative
(mother or sister) who has been diagnosed with pre-menopausal breast
cancer, you should start screenings 10 years prior to the age of that
relative's diagnosis. For instance, if your mother was diagnosed with
breast cancer at age 45, you should begin screenings at age 35. It
is important to remember that mammography is only one part of breast
cancer screening, which also includes regular physician check-ups
and breast self-examinations. |
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A: 10% of all breast cancers are related
to one of two abnormal genes known as BRCA1 and BRCA2. There is a
65%-85% chance that a person with one of these genes will get breast
cancer. We follow these patients closely with mammograms, ultrasound
and MRI. Patients with these genes should speak with their primary
care physician and a genetic counselor to discuss an appropriate course
of action, which could include breast or ovary removal. There are
many other risks to consider before a decision to operate is made. |
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A: Aside from having one of the two abnormal
genes, there are three major risk factors that we must take into account.
A woman is at greater risk for breast cancer if she has a first degree
relative with breast cancer, if she has had a biopsy that shows atypical
changes in the breast, or if she, herself has previously been diagnosed
with breast cancer. It is imperative, however, to keep in mind that
two thirds of all breast cancers occur in women who have no significant
risk factors. |
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A: MRI can be used for patients with newly
diagnosed breast cancer prior to surgery to evaluate the extent of
the disease and to help plan the appropriate surgery. It is also used
prior to surgery to evaluate tumor response in patients being treated
with chemotherapy. MRI functions as a problem solving tool when a
patient has a lump that can not be seen with mammography or ultrasound,
or when mammography leads to ambiguous findings. The usefulness of
MRI as a screening tool is being evaluated in clinical trials. It
may be found to be helpful for patients who are at high risk for breast
cancer, or who have dense breast tissue. Most importantly, MRI is
to be used in addition to, not as a replacement for, mammography. |
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