The Breast Diaries

Q&A: Thyroid Shield?

October 9th, 2012

By Stacey Vitiello, MD

Should my thyroid be shielded when I have a mammogram?

  •    This issue received media attention when Dr. Oz highlighted a study showing a significant increase in thyroid cancer in the U.S. since 1998, and he theorized that this is due to radiation exposure to the thyroid gland during annual mammography. It is highly unlikely that mammography can be blamed for this increased incidence, as it seen in both women AND men, and men do not receive screening mammograms. A recent paper estimated that the lifetime risk for thyroid cancer
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Q&A: Are Mammograms Dangerous?

October 8th, 2012

By Stacey Vitiello, MD

What is the radiation dose of a mammogram? Is it dangerous?

  •    For digital mammography, the average radiation dose from a standard 4-view mammogram of both breasts is 3.7mGy; for film-screen mammography (not digital), the average dose is 4.7mGy. Data suggests that if there is any risk for developing breast cancer because of screening mammography, it is extremely small. In the Swedish Two County Trial, over 100,000 women have had repeated mammograms since the 1970’s, and the screened group has no more cancers than the group
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Questions and Answers to Honor Pink October 2012

October 5th, 2012

By Stacey Vitiello, MD
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is upon us, and amidst the sea of pink products being hawked by corporations with varying degrees of charitable intentions, I thought it might be a good idea for The Breast Diaries to mark the month with a number of short posts that go back to the basics, containing questions that had been posed to me by www.TalkAboutHealth.com, a very informative website that connects patients and their questions with the appropriate experts to answer them. Comments and follow-up questions are always welcome!

Question: What

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