The founder and lead surgeon of the Las Colinas Cancer Center talks about other benefits of routine screening.

Irving, TX – Women age 40 and older have long been told about the benefits mammograms offer in helping detect breast cancer in its earliest, most treatable forms. New research is now showing that this simple test, already approved by most insurance companies, may also serve a valuable role in detecting other health concerns.

“When mammograms are performed, clinicians are often able to detect plaque buildup in the arteries responsible for suppling oxygen rich blood to the breasts,” says Dr. Gregory Echt, founder and lead surgeon at the Las Colinas Cancer Center. “A recent study shows that these observational findings may in fact indicate calcification in the coronary arteries. This could open the door to earlier intervention not only for breast cancer, but also heart disease.”

To determine if mammogram findings could be extrapolated to indicate concerns related to heart disease, a study was recently conducted. The study involved about 300 women who underwent routine mammograms that were then followed up with chest CT scans. Women who were found to have a high breast plaque buildup score were confirmed by the CT scans to have coronary artery concerns in about 63 percent of the cases. There were some false positives, researchers noted.

“The findings show that mammograms are not a perfect tool for detecting coronary artery disease,” says Dr. Echt. “They do, however, strongly point to the need for diligent follow up when issues are noted during routine screenings.”

It is generally recommended that women begin routine screening for breast cancer with mammograms starting around the age of 40. This simple outpatient test can often detect breast cancer in its most treatable phase. With an estimated 246,000 new cases of breast cancer diagnosed annually in the United States, it is considered imperative that women undergo recommended screenings on a regular basis.

About Las Colinas Cancer Center
Las Colinas Cancer Center, a Choice Cancer Care Treatment Center, is committed to providing the personalized, compassionate treatment that can make all the difference in cancer care. Our state-of-the-art facility, located in North Texas, offers those battling cancer and blood disorders a safe haven where they can find professional care from some of the nation’s most experienced oncology specialists in a supportive, caring environment with an integrated approach to treatment.