You Are Not Too Old To Have Mammogram

Many of my older patients don't come to the office so they can be screened for breast cancer through mammography. A recent study of women aged 80 to 84 showed that those who had regular mammograms had their breast cancer diagnosed earlier as opposed to those who had infrequent mammograms. It means that you're not too old to have your mammogram.


Reference:Journal Watch

Raloxifene (Evista) Approved for Lowering Breast Cancer Risk in Postmenopausal Women

The FDA has approved Raloxifene to be used in two groups of women, namely those with osteoporosis and those at high risk of having breast cancer. This drug is like Tamoxifen that is currently used as prophylaxis in women with breast cancer. However, unlike Tamoxifen, Raloxifene does not cause cancer of the uterus. Both of them can cause hot flashes and clots in the veins. Unlike drugs like Fosamax or Actonel, Raloxifene does not prevent hip fractures. This is a boon to women with a history of osteoporosis in their spine and with a family history of breast cancer.