Breast Imaging Classification System - FINAL VERSION (pdf - opens in new window)
Newsletter - Summer 08 (Word document)
URGENT - MR questionnaire survey for ASM (Word document)
Online abstract submission for London ASM now available via Hampton's link

BREAST IMAGING RESEARCH NETWORK (BIRN) Workshop - The RCR breast group has set up a Breast Imaging Research Network. This is still at an early stage. One of the aims of the network is to support breast research across the UK. We have set up our first research workshop where RCR breast group members can come and learn more about research methodology and funding opportunities that are available. We will have a number of research experts at the meeting who will be available to help with your research questions. We would very much appreciate the support of the research community at this meeting. REGISTRATION is required if you wish to attend. Please download the programme and registration forms (space limited to 50 persons)

THE BREAST COURSE - The course is primarily for radiologists and focuses on image guided techniques with live demonstrations of all the core and vacuum techniques and cryo-ablation. There are also hands on work shops with all the devices available to try. Big on MR as well with Steve Harms and Christiane Kuhl doing lots of workshops. Tom Stavros is also a main contributor doing plenary lectures and workshops focused on specific problem areas. There is input from top end oncologists, pathologists and surgeons (including Emiel Rutgers from the Erasmus in Holland) as well. The faculty are also around all the time for one to one sessions - www.thebreastcourse.com

LETTER FROM AMERICA

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Mammography screening of the elderly - controversies

Last month a paper was published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology entitled - Mammography Before Diagnosis Among Women Age 80 Years and Older With Breast Cancer from MD Anderson Cancer Center in Texas.

The study found that among those who had a mammogram every year or two before their diagnosis, 68 percent found the cancer at an early stage, compared with 33 percent of those who skipped mammograms altogether.

Their conclusion was that regular mammography among women > or = to 80 years of age was associated with earlier disease stage, although improved survival remains difficult to demonstrate. Health care providers should consider discussing the potential benefits of screening mammography with their older patients, particularly for those without significant comorbidity.

This sparked coverage by the New York Times, which did a good job of presenting the pros and cons of screening the elderly. Considering that the end point for measuring a screening program is mortality reduction, then it should be looked at in a proper light rather than just concentrating on reducing morbidity from the disease.

We have the occasional patient in San Francisco having screening mammograms in their eighties, similar to the NHS BSP in the UK, where patients can self refer. With the rising elderly population, and better breast-awareness, it may well be that we do more mammography in the elderly and reduce morbidity than we do for now.