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The PINK Revolution is a breast cancer awareness and support group that raises money for breast cancer research and treatment. It is partnered with the UMass Memorial Health Care Center and the UMass Memorial Comprehensive Breast Center in Worcester, Massachusetts, which are both a part of the largest health-care system in central and western Massachusetts.
The findings of a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine suggest that magnetic resonance screening (MRI) may be a valuable tool for diagnosing breast cancer. While MRI is a more expensive diagnostic procedure, it may provide a more reliable technique for detecting the disease in the early stages. Some physicians now use MRI imaging in combination with the conventional methods of mammography and ultrasound, particularly for women who are at high risk for developing breast cancer. There are several steps involved in MRI screening which allow radiology technicians to obtain accurate visual images of the breast.
The first step to diagnosing breast cancer is a physical exam. Your doctor will feel your breasts for lumps and nodules. He also will look for any abnormalities around the nipples. You can do this type of exam on yourself periodically to check for changes in your breast tissue and appearance. Your physician also will question you about family medical history to assess your genetic risk for breast cancer.
Hearing the words "you have breast cancer" can be a frightening thing for any woman to hear. She may experience fear, uncertainty, anxiety and depression. Of course, while you cannot cure the pain and fear your friend may be experiencing, you may be able to make a huge difference in her life by offering to do a few simple tasks.
