I am evidence ultrasound is important for early detection
Do you have an ultrasound story? We need you!
Yesterday, the US Preventive Services Task Force in charge of setting breast screening recommendations for the government, expanded their draft recommendation that women start getting mammograms at age 40 instead of age 50, by saying, “19% more lives could be saved by starting [mammography] screening for all women at age 40.”
That’s great, but there’s just one problem: What about women with dense breasts?
The thing is, mammograms aren’t great at seeing cancer with dense breast tissue, but ultrasounds are. Both younger women and Black women have higher breast densities compared to other women...and breast density is associated with a higher risk for breast cancer. These women are left out of this recommendation.
The Task Force says they need more evidence to make a decision about screening for women with dense breasts. We know ultrasound has helped so many women, and we want you to share your story with our #iamevidence campaign. As a charity dedicated to improving early detection for breast cancer, we invite you join us in getting the recommendation improved by encouraging the Task Force to include this:
Have ultrasound included in the screening recommendations for women with dense breasts.
Ultrasounds have been found to be lifesaving. (1) Adding this recommendation would mean that screening ultrasounds would be included for free with healthcare plans just as screening mammograms are. It would also mean that access to this useful test wouldn’t rely on women with dense breasts having to push for testing and having to convince health professionals of the necessity of it because it’s set as the standard practice. Let’s make that happen!
Join the #iamevidence campaign:
Share your story on social media by resharing this image:
2. To make your voice count with the recommendations committee, go to this Task Force link and share your story by June 5th.
We’ve got 3 templates below ready for you to edit and share instantly:
For those who were diagnosed because ultrasound was available:
Please have ultrasounds included in the screening recommendations for women with dense breasts. This impacts younger women and Black women more than any other group. This is my story.
I am evidence that ultrasound is important for the early detection of breast cancer. At age X, I was diagnosed with breast cancer because of an ultrasound that found cancer that my mammogram missed. Because of my breast density, it was hidden on my mammogram. If it wasn’t for my ultrasound, my cancer would not have been discovered until much later.
Having access to ultrasound as a screening option—without having to personally research and push for the test—would make an incredible impact particularly for women who have low health literacy, lack the ability to self-advocate, and are unaware of the limitations for mammography with dense breasts. Black women have a significantly higher rate of breast density than White women, and often face additional barriers with the healthcare system making it all the more critical.
For women that undergo ultrasound, get a biopsy, and have a negative result, there is still a positive benefit in knowing that the breast has been well-investigated, and that cancer has been ruled out which is a huge asset for mental health. The alternative, that women with dense breasts are only offered mammography by default, could leave patients feeling that their breasts are not thoroughly screened, and create anxiety.
Personalized healthcare needs to be a priority, and by making a recommendation that women with dense breasts should be offered ultrasound screening in addition to their mammogram, and researching breast cancer in Black women particularly, it can help improve mental health, diagnose breast cancer at earlier stages (2015 Weigert Connecticut study), and set the precedent that healthcare should move from a one-size-fits-the-majority approach to a personalized and inclusive one.
Sincerely,
Name,
City and State
For those who had an ultrasound rule out cancer:
Please have ultrasounds included in the screening recommendations for women with dense breasts. This impacts younger women and Black women more than any other group. This is my story.
I am evidence that ultrasound is important for the early detection of breast cancer. At age X, I discovered a breast lump through self-exam. Because of my breast density, the lump was hidden on my mammogram, so I requested an ultrasound. The ultrasound found the lump and it was ruled out as a benign mass. If it wasn’t for my ultrasound, and me pushing for additional testing, I wouldn’t have had the peace of mind knowing that I had been thoroughly investigated as a woman with dense breasts.
Having access to ultrasound as a screening option—without having to personally research and push for the test—would make an incredible impact particularly for women who have low health literacy, lack the ability to self-advocate, and are unaware of the limitations for mammography with dense breasts. Black women have a significantly higher rate of breast density than White women, and often face additional barriers with the healthcare system making it all the more critical.
For women that undergo ultrasound, get a biopsy, and have a negative result, there is still a positive benefit in knowing that the breast has been well-investigated, and that cancer has been ruled out which is a huge asset for mental health. The alternative, that women with dense breasts are only offered mammography by default, could leave patients feeling that their breasts are not thoroughly screened, and create anxiety.
Personalized healthcare needs to be a priority, and by making a recommendation that women with dense breasts should be offered ultrasound screening in addition to their mammogram, and researching breast cancer in Black women particularly, it can help improve mental health, diagnose breast cancer at earlier stages (2015 Weigert Connecticut study), and set the precedent that healthcare should move from a one-size-fits-the-majority approach to a personalized and inclusive one.
Sincerely,
Name,
City and State
For those who would have benefitted from an ultrasound, but didn’t have the option:
Please have ultrasounds included in the screening recommendations for women with dense breasts. This impacts younger women and Black women more than any other group. This is my story.
I am evidence that ultrasound is important for the early detection of breast cancer. At age X, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Because of my breast density, it was hidden on my mammogram. X months later, <<this thing happened>>. If I had an ultrasound at my first appointment, my cancer would have been discovered earlier.
Having access to ultrasound as a screening option—without having to personally research and push for the test—would make an incredible impact particularly for women who have low health literacy, lack the ability to self-advocate, and are unaware of the limitations for mammography with dense breasts. Black women have a significantly higher rate of breast density than White women, and often face additional barriers with the healthcare system making it all the more critical.
For women that undergo ultrasound, get a biopsy, and have a negative result, there is still a positive benefit in knowing that the breast has been well-investigated, and that cancer has been ruled out which is a huge asset for mental health. The alternative, that women with dense breasts are only offered mammography by default, could leave patients feeling that their breasts are not thoroughly screened, and create anxiety.
Personalized healthcare needs to be a priority, and by making a recommendation that women with dense breasts should be offered ultrasound screening in addition to their mammogram, and researching breast cancer in Black women particularly, it can help improve mental health, diagnose breast cancer at earlier stages (2015 Weigert Connecticut study), and set the precedent that healthcare should move from a one-size-fits-the-majority approach to a personalized and inclusive one.
Sincerely,
Name,
City and State