How is breast cancer treated?

Early detection
Research is underway to improve breast cancer
detection through mammography, as well as to identify
other radiologic approaches. Preliminary results from a
large clinical trial of digital versus film mammograms
reveal that women with dense breasts who are pre- or
perimenopausal (i.e., women who had a last menstrual
period within 12 months of their mammograms) or who
are younger than age 50 may benefit from having a
digital rather than a film mammogram.147 Women with
dense breast tissue have an increased risk of breast
cancer. Recent research indicates that increased breast
density over time may be a more accurate predictor of
future breast cancer.148 Future studies will focus on
identifying the best time to measure breast density.
Among women with newly diagnosed breast cancer, MRI
may be useful in detecting cancer in the contralateral
(opposite) breast.149 Diagnosing the second breast
cancer earlier could help women make treatment
decisions and might spare them from extra rounds of
surgery and chemotherapy later.