Dr. Brem Speaks About Breast Cancer Detection

Dr. Rachel Brem, Director of the Breast Imaging and Interventional Center at George Washington University Medical Center and Vice Chair of the Department of Radiology will speak in Rockville on April 14 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Norbeck County Club. The event, Lunch & Brem is open to the public with advance registration required. RSVP to info@bremfoundation.org. Thirteen Montgomery County women are hosting the education outreach event to share Brem’s expertise.

Dr. Brem has appeared numerous times on Capitol Hill to lobby for legislation that will make a critical difference in the early detection of breast cancer at its most curable stage. As the lead researcher of a study regarding the effectiveness of Automated Breast Ultrasound (ABUS) for women with dense breast tissue, she has captured the interest of many, including House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, whose support may lead to life-saving legislation. Currently, only five states require women to be informed that they have dense breasts. Legislation is currently pending at the Maryland State and Federal levels to require health practitioners to inform patients if they have dense breast tissue. Screening with this additional, new, life-saving technology is recommended for women with dense breast tissue. Breast cancer is more difficult to detect in dense breast tissue through standard digital mammography thus the importance of ABUS.

Dr. Brem showcased the new technology that can augment mammograms for earlier detection when she appeared on the Dr. Oz show. She spoke to the increased need for women with dense breasts to be examined with ultrasound technology because they have a higher need for further examination beyond the scope of a traditional mammogram. She encouraged women to ask if they have dense breasts. An Automated Breast Ultrasound (ABUS) was demonstrated. A patient saved by Breast Specific Gamma Imaging (BSGI) spoke. Oz said he was not aware of the benefits of BSGI until learning about Brem’s work.

Women are to continue getting mammograms annually, to be their own best advocate, and to be certain the person reading their mammogram is an expert who predominately reads breast film, not knees and elbows.

The Brem Foundation to Defeat Breast Cancer was established in 2004 in Brem’s name to aid her work in the Washington, DC area. The 501(c)3 non-profit organization, is dedicated to eliminating breast cancer as a life threatening disease through community outreach, advancing early diagnosis, research and education. The Brem Biopsy Fund pays for biopsies for under served and uninsured women in the greater metropolitan area. Public donations go to foundation projects.

Dr. Brem was the principle investigator in the Missiles to Medicine program involving digital or computer-aided technology. Developed after the military model for guiding missiles, the technology aids radiologists examining breast films in determining what is friend or foe. Brem explains, “The digital technology is multi-factorial, improving not only the quality of the film, but the quality of interpretation.” Brem blends state-of-the art equipment with compassionate care that takes into consideration the emotional and medical components of breast cancer.

To learn more about Brem Foundation visit: www.bremfoundation.org

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