Mammogram self-referral option at D-M

  • Published
  • By Maj. Meliza Harris
  • 355th Medical Group
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Women needing annual screening mammograms are able to self-refer for their annual screening mammogram at Davis-Monthan, according to Maj. (Dr.) Dan Madsen, a radiologist at the 355th Medical Group.

Beginning in July 2007, the D-M Diagnostic Imaging Flight began booking mammogram appointments for women (age 40 or older) that need an annual screening mammogram without requiring a written order from their physician. This follows a national trend and new Air Force policy that allows facilities to have patients schedule their screening mammogram studies in this manner.

"This simplifies the process for the patient. We want to eliminate any barrier so that every eligible woman receives her annual mammogram," said Major Madsen. "Our patients have really liked the new self-referral option. It's been far more popular than we expected. About 60 percent of all our screening mammograms are now done as self-referral exams."

Major Madsen credits the self-referral process as a key ingredient in boosting screening rates at D-M to the top tier of Air Combat Command bases.

Many other bases are now looking at instituting similar processes to improve their screening rates, he said.

The self-referral screening mammograms are available to any woman age 40 or older who has no breast symptoms or complaints. Women who report breast problems are still referred to their primary care provider before getting a mammogram to ensure the symptoms are properly evaluated.

The Davis-Monthan Diagnostic Imaging Flight also replaced their older mammography machines with new computed radiography mammography units in 2007. These new state-of-the-art digital units produce high quality mammograms with fewer exposures. They allow a specialized image processor to apply complex visual processing algorithms to each image. This image processing helps improve the chance of spotting subtle calcifications that may indicate the presence of early breast cancer.

Because one of seven women in the United States will develop breast cancer in her lifetime, the American Cancer Society recommends a yearly screening mammogram for all women age 40 and above. Regular mammogram screening has markedly increased the detection of early breast cancer. The best rates of detection are achieved with annual mammograms and annual breast exams by a trained medical provider.

Early detection results in more survivors of breast cancer. With today's treatment techniques, the five year survival rate is now 100 percent for early detected breast cancer. Survival of advanced breast cancer has also improved in recent years, but can be as low as 20 percent.

"The key to breast cancer is to find it early. If you can treat it early, it can usually be cured. Find it late, after it has already spread and it is a real bad actor. Mammograms help us find it early," said Major Madsen.

Any woman age 40 or older who is due for a yearly screening mammogram may call the Davis-Monthan Radiology Department at (520) 228-2595 to schedule the exam directly.