Vanderbilt Supports Screening Mammography at 40

 New guidelines for screening mammography, released Nov. 16, 2009, have created a lot of confusion and controversy. Experts at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, including the Vanderbilt Breast Center, believe that there is insufficient evidence to warrant changing the guidelines and continue to recommend annual screening mammograms beginning at age 40 and continuing as long as a woman is in good general health. Frequently Asked Questions

• Vanderbilt Breast Center Named Imaging Center of Excellence   The Vanderbilt Breast Center has been designated a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology (ACR). The three-year term of accreditation is for mammography, stereotactic breast biopsy, breast ultrasound and ultrasound-guided breast biopsy. The prestigious award is the result of a recent survey by ACR.... 

• Breast Cancer Research Gets $12 Million Boost from NCI  Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center's Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPORE) in Breast Cancer has received a new round of grant funding from the National Cancer Institute (NCI).... 
• VICC Sees Spike in Bilateral Mastectomies  From 2003 through 2007 Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center recorded a fivefold increase in the number of women choosing to undergo a bilateral mastectomy following a diagnosis of breast cancer in one breast. More than one-third of those patients had no known risk factors for cancer in the second breast, other than their current cancer diagnosis.... 

• Kathy's Story  A few years ago, Kathy Dozier was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her physician initially recommended a double mastectomy, but Kathy went to Vanderbilt for a second opinion. Hear Kathy's story in her own words