by Mona Saint MD on April 13, 2010
Last Fall, the USPSTF released controversial new mammogram guidelines changing recommendations for mammograms to start at age 50 rather than 40 and recommending mammograms every 2 years rather than annually. This was met with national public and professional outrage and subsequently many physician groups and the American Cancer Society came out against these guidelines. In addition, the Senate disagreed with guidelines and approved an amendment that would require health insurance companies to cover mammograms for women aged 40-49.
Suffice it to say, I do not agree with these USPSTF guidelines. I recommend that women get a baseline digital mammogram between the ages of 35-40 and then annually beginning at age 40. Women at high risk for breast cancer (personal history, dense breasts, strong family history, and/or carrier of BRCA type gene mutations predisposing to breast cancer…
by Mona Saint MD on February 18, 2009
Many women struggle with menopausal symptoms and opt to take hormone replacement during this time. Hormone replacement consists of estrogen and progesterone and it can be taken orally, via patches, and as creams and gels. There are always many questions regarding hormones, given how difficult the perimenopause and menopause can be, and with the various [...]
by Mona Saint MD on December 19, 2008
Two interesting studies about diet and breast cancer came out this week. In the first study laboratory researchers found that extra virgin olive oil could suppress genes that can cause breast cancer. Approximately 20-30% of breast cancers come from people who carry this gene which might explain why some studies show Mediterranean diets can lower [...]
by Mona Saint MD on December 3, 2008
An astounding and potentially groundbreaking study was recently published showing that invasive breast cancers may sometimes go away on their own without treatment. The study looked at over 200,000 women in Norway and is interesting because they looked at rates of breast cancer detection after they recently started mammography screening. The authors of the study [...]
by Mona Saint MD on November 10, 2008
A large study from Harvard looked at almost 40,000 women and found that drinking coffee in moderation did not increase the risk of breast cancer in patients with no history of breast disease. Moderate caffeine intake was defined as two to three cups per day.
by Mona Saint MD on November 9, 2008
A recent study found that women with a history of migraines were found to a have 30% lower risk of breast cancer than women who do not. The reason is not completely understood but is thought to be related to circulating hormone levels.
by Mona Saint MD on November 3, 2008
A review of 62 studies to determine the effect of exercise on breast cancer risk found that being physicially active over your lifetime may reduce breast cancer risk by about 25%. The majority of the studies reviewed found that women with regular physical activity had a lower risk of breast cancer.
Mona Saint M.D., M.P.H. is a board certified Ob/Gyn and a mother of two young boys. She has won awards of excellence in gynecologic surgery and teaching, and she continually receives the highest ratings in patient satisfaction surveys. Most of all, she is appreciated for her down to earth and easy to understand explanations of complex medical questions and her empathetic style.