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Mammograms after mastectomy?

Page last modified on: October 16, 2008

Question from Sanche: My sister-in-law just attended a mammographer's conference in Las Vegas. The keynote speaker stated that one should still have yearly mammograms even after bilateral mastectomies with or without reconstruction to check the armpit and shoulder areas. Have you ever heard of this? I thought that once you've had a bilateral that an annual X-ray was the follow-up, with no more mammograms.: Answer —Jennifer Sabol, M.D., F.A.C.S.: I am unaware of any data that is supportive of further imaging with mammography for a breast that has had a mastectomy. The incidence of recurrence within the axillary lymph node with today's modern surgical techniques should be exceedingly low and not warrant screening in this population. I would, however, fully support a clinical breast exam to evaluate the skin over the reconstruction as well as the axilla for any evidence of recurrence.

On Wednesday, May 16, 2007, the Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Reconstruction Updates. Joseph Serletti, M.D. and moderator Jennifer Sabol, M.D. answered your questions about breast reconstruction.

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

Joseph M. Serletti, M.D., F.A.C.S. is professor of surgery and chief of the Division of Plastic Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania. He is a pioneer in the field of free flap autologous breast reconstruction.

Jennifer Sabol, M.D., F.A.C.S. is a breast surgeon who directs the newly developed Breast Care Center at Lankenau Hospital in Wynnewood, Pa. Among her many interests, Dr. Sabol spearheads several research initiatives to advance the care for women with breast cancer and improve methods of breast cancer detection and treatment.

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