Recent news reports on the results of an international breast cancer study of Russian and Chinese women have left some American women confused about the importance of regular breast care.

The study, published in the Cochrane Library in July, found that monthly breast self-exams do not lead to increased breast cancer survival rates - and in fact may lead to unnecessary breast biopsies. The study included more than 388,500 women in Russia and China who ranged in age from 30 to 66.

The study's findings have prompted even the American Cancer Society to label monthly self-exams as "an option."

But what does this new information really mean for women here in the United States and around the world?

Overall, the key message is to get medical attention for any breast lumps, changes or abnormalities that you may find - regardless of whether those lumps are found during a self-exam, in the shower, while getting dressed, looking in the mirror, or if your spouse or significant other notices changes in your breasts.

According to the American Cancer Society, if you decide to do a monthly self-exam (which we feel is still beneficial), you should have your doctor or nurse check your method to make sure you are doing it right. By doing a regular exam, you get to know how your breasts normally look and feel. Then you can more easily notice changes. (Of course, many cancer experts now agree that it's OK not to do a self-exam on a fixed schedule.)

Remember to see your doctor right away if you notice a lump or swelling; skin irritation or dimpling; nipple pain or the nipple turning inward; redness or scaling of the nipple or breast skin; or a discharge other than breast milk. And remember that most of the time these breast changes are not cancer.

Regular breast care for women age 40 and older also consists of a yearly clinical breast exam by a health expert and an annual screening mammogram. In a screening mammogram, each breast is X-rayed in two different positions: from top to bottom and from side to side. When a mammogram image is viewed, breast tissue appears white and opaque and fatty tissue appears darker and translucent.

Women in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast exam as part of a regular health checkup every three years.

Understanding mammogram results

Although it causes fear in most women, abnormal results from a mammogram are more common than you may think. An abnormal report doesn't mean you have breast cancer. It means that you should meet with a physician to decide if you need extra tests.

Potential abnormalities are found in less than 10 percent of women who have screening mammograms. This small group of women needs further evaluation that may include diagnostic mammography, breast ultrasound, or needle biopsy.

A potential abnormality on a mammogram may be called a nodule, mass, lump, density or distortion.

What if something suspicious is found on my mammogram?

If there is a suspicious finding on your mammogram, you will typically need to have additional views and/or ultrasound performed.

A radiologist will consult with you and will recommend additional evaluation to make a diagnosis. This might be ultrasound-guided core biopsy, stereotactic breast biopsy, cyst aspiration, needle localization and surgical consultation, or MRI-guided biopsy.

Ingalls Memorial Hospital makes every attempt to schedule and perform these procedures as soon as possible so that our patients do not have to endure a long wait to find out whether or not they have breast cancer.

When is an ultrasound recommended?

Ultrasound is used to evaluate any palpable breast lesion and to evaluate masses, distortions, or asymmetries found on mammography or MRI.

Ultrasound forms images of the breast utilizing sound waves, not X-rays. No compression is required; a warm gel is placed on the skin, and an ultrasound probe is rubbed over the skin to obtain the image.

Ultrasound often can show abnormalities that might go undetected on mammography due to extremely dense breast tissue. Ultrasound is used most commonly in conjunction with mammography, not as a replacement for mammography.

Are there new techniques to improve accuracy?

There are many exciting technologies being investigated in the field of breast imaging. All of this work is in the hopes of detecting breast cancer at the earliest stage possible to allow patients the best chance for a cure.

Source : Alexander Starr, M.D., is a board-certified oncologist/hematologist and medical director of Ingalls Memorial Hospital's Richard K. Desser Breast Center. Lisa Gravitt, R.N., B.S.N., O.C.N. is a breast cancer nurse navigator at Ingalls, which is a member of the Southland Health Alliance. For more information on the alliance, visit www.southlandhealth.org or call (800) 221.2199.