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Diagnostic mammograms after treatment?

Page last modified on: October 20, 2008
Question from Nanc: After breast cancer and appropriate surgery, for how long should women have diagnostic rather than screening mammograms?
Answer —Cecilia Brennecke, M.D.: When a woman is a breast cancer survivor, I perform diagnostic mammograms on her for the rest of her life. I used to think that we should stop screening everyone at age 80, but I've changed my mind on this. That's because I see many women over 80, who are in very good health, and deserve to have the best care possible and to get screened. When you are a survivor, you should receive diagnostic mammograms forever. Medicare guidelines state that a unilateral mammogram—a mammogram done on a woman who only has one breast—is a diagnostic exam and not a screening exam.

On Wednesday, July 16, 2003, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Breast Cancer Screening. Cecilia M. Brennecke, M.D. and Marisa Weiss, M.D. answered your questions about mammograms, ultrasound, MRI, breast self-exams, physical exams by a doctor, and other topics related to breast cancer screening.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Cecilia M. Brennecke, M.D.Cecilia M. Brennecke, M.D. is a radiologist and medical director at Johns Hopkins at Greenspring in Baltimore, Maryland. As a breast imaging specialist, she interprets mammography, performs ultrasound and breast MRI, conducts clinical breast exams, and performs the newest image-guided biopsy procedures.

Marisa Weiss, M.D. is a radiation oncologist specializing in breast cancer and the founder, president, and guiding force behind Breastcancer.org.

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