Joan Lunden, a familiar face to morning television viewers as a former co-host of “Good Morning America,” received a life-changing diagnosis in June 2014: stage two triple-negative breast cancer. This diagnosis came as a shock, especially considering Lunden had undergone regular mammograms. It was during her work on a story about mammograms that she learned about a crucial factor impacting breast cancer risk: breast density.
A Life-Saving Discovery
Lunden’s journey took a pivotal turn when she discovered the significance of breast density. During her reporting on mammograms, she came across information that deeply resonated with her. She learned that women with dense breast tissue face a higher risk of developing breast cancer. Additionally, dense breasts can make it challenging to detect cancer on mammograms, as the dense tissue can obscure the visibility of tumors.
Armed with this knowledge, Lunden insisted on an ultrasound in addition to her mammogram. This decision proved life-saving. The ultrasound successfully detected her cancer, which had been masked by her dense breast tissue on the mammogram. This experience made her a staunch advocate for raising awareness about breast density and its implications for breast cancer detection.
The Importance of Breast Density Awareness
Lunden emphasizes that breast density is not merely a medical term but a critical factor directly impacting women’s lives. Dense breasts contain a higher proportion of fibrous and glandular tissue compared to fatty tissue. This increased density can make it difficult to distinguish between healthy tissue and tumors on mammograms, leading to potential delays in diagnosis and treatment.
Becoming a Voice for Change: Lunden’s Advocacy
Lunden’s experience ignited a passion within her to advocate for better breast cancer detection methods and increased awareness surrounding breast density. She has been tirelessly working to educate women about the importance of knowing their breast density status and to encourage them to have open conversations with their healthcare providers.
Her advocacy extends beyond raising awareness. Lunden has actively lobbied lawmakers and government agencies to push for policies that improve early detection methods and ensure wider access to additional screening tests like ultrasound and breast MRI. She believes that early detection is crucial in the fight against breast cancer and that women should have access to the best possible tools for early diagnosis.
A Step Forward: New FDA Guidelines
Lunden’s advocacy efforts, along with the work of countless others, culminated in a significant victory in September. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced new guidelines mandating that all mammogram results include information about the patient’s breast density.
This landmark decision marks a crucial step towards empowering women with knowledge about their breast health. By including breast density information in mammogram results, women and their doctors are better equipped to make informed decisions about additional screening measures based on their individual risk factors.
Continuing the Fight: The Need for Insurance Coverage
While the new FDA guidelines are a significant milestone, Lunden emphasizes that the fight is far from over. She points out that while women are now being informed about their breast density, there’s still a critical need to ensure insurance coverage for additional screening tests like ultrasound and breast MRI for those with dense breasts.
Without insurance coverage, the cost of these additional tests can pose a significant barrier for many women, potentially preventing them from accessing crucial screening that could lead to early detection and life-saving treatment.
A Call to Action: Empowering Women Through Education
Lunden’s message to women is clear and powerful: be proactive about your health. She urges women to talk to their doctors about their breast density, ask for their density classification after a mammogram, and understand what it means for their individual breast cancer risk.
Knowledge is power, and in the case of breast cancer, it can be life-saving. By educating women about breast density, equipping them with the information they need to advocate for themselves, and ensuring access to timely and appropriate screening, we can take significant strides towards improving early detection rates and ultimately saving lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is breast density?
Breast density refers to the relative amount of different tissue types in your breasts. Breasts with higher density have more glandular and fibrous tissue compared to fatty tissue. Dense breast tissue can make it harder to see tumors on a mammogram.
How is breast density determined?
Breast density is typically categorized into four levels—A, B, C, and D—based on the appearance of breast tissue on a mammogram. Your radiologist determines this classification.
Why is breast density important in breast cancer risk?
Higher breast density is associated with an increased risk of developing breast cancer. Also, dense tissue can mask tumors on mammograms, making early detection more challenging.
What should I do if I have dense breasts?
If you have dense breasts, talk to your doctor about your individual risk factors and discuss additional screening options, such as ultrasound or MRI, which may be recommended for early detection.
Do insurance companies cover additional screenings for dense breasts?
Insurance coverage for additional screenings varies. It’s crucial to contact your insurance provider to understand your coverage for ultrasound or MRI based on your breast density and risk factors.
Conclusion
Joan Lunden’s journey sheds light on the critical importance of breast density awareness in the fight against breast cancer. Her advocacy efforts, along with the new FDA guidelines mandating breast density information in mammogram results, represent a significant step forward. However, the ongoing work towards ensuring insurance coverage for additional screenings remains crucial to ensure that all women, regardless of their financial situation, have access to potentially life-saving early detection methods. By continuing to raise awareness, empowering women with knowledge, and advocating for equitable access to healthcare, we can strive for a future where breast cancer is diagnosed early and treated effectively.
Source: ABC7NY