Cancer And Health Centre On Mammographies

The Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre – an American College of Radiology accredited Breast Imaging Centre of Excellence which provides digital mammography, ultrasound and breast biopsy in support of the early detection of breast cancer – is adding its thoughts to the ongoing discussion surrounding screening mammography in Bermuda, saying that it “understands concerns regarding over diagnosis of pre-cancerous conditions.”

A spokesperson said, “Our Centre supports the work of the Ministry of Health, Seniors and Environment as we navigate through the many difficult challenges of providing cost-effective quality healthcare.

“We also support evidenced-based scientific reviews and we will continue to work closely with the Bermuda Health Council, the Bermuda National Tumour Registry and the Ministry of Health, Seniors and Environment in order to improve mandatory reporting of cancer incidence so we can better understand the occurrence of breast [and other] cancers which are being diagnosed in Bermuda.

“Our goal at Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre is to comprehensively understand the profile of cancers and risk factors for our population so we may align our awareness, prevention and early detection programmes to ensure the greatest impact in the fight against cancer.

“Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre understand concerns regarding over diagnosis of pre-cancerous conditions [e.g., low-grade Ductal Carcinoma In Situ], which may be detected through screening, but which may never require treatment because the condition may not develop into cancer.

“However, there may be opportunities to practice “active surveillance” as opposed to immediate treatment for such pre-cancerous conditions. Our charity will continue to monitor best practices in the treatment of Stage-0 breast cancers while also expanding our awareness and prevention programmes to include best practice guidance on active surveillance for pre-cancerous conditions.

“Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre has always followed the recommended guidelines provided by the American Cancer Society for all cancers which may be detected through screening. The ongoing evidence-based reviews conducted by the American Cancer Society, an independent not-for-profit, non-governmental organization, have indicated that the American Cancer Society’s recommendations for breast cancer screening remain unchanged.

“Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre will continue to follow the recommendations of the American Cancer Society for screening for breast cancer, which is, for women to begin annual screening at 40 years of age and to continue for as long as they are in good health and wish to carry on screening.

“It is in each patient’s best interest to discuss with their doctor the frequency of screenings needed in their own circumstance, thereby asserting the necessary active participation in their well-being and care.

“Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre will continue to raise awareness, support prevention strategies and provide early cancer detection in partnership with the Ministry of Health, Seniors and Environment, in the fight against cancer, which will affect 1 in 3 people in Bermuda.”

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