Press Releases - 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PERSONALIZED CANCER CARE ORGANIZATION ADDRESSES CONCERNS OVER FDA BREAST DENSITY GUIDELINE MISINTERPRETATION
PERSONALIZED CANCER CARE ORGANIZATION ADDRESSES CONCERNS OVER FDA BREAST DENSITY GUIDELINE MISINTERPRETATION
Cancer Education and Research Institute® Advocates for Informed Decision-Making in Breast Cancer Screening for Dense Breasts
January 21, 2025
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS - January 21, 2025 - In light of recent changes to FDA guidelines regarding breast density reporting, Cancer Education and Research Institute®, a leading global cancer non-profit organization dedicated to personalized cancer care, expresses concern over the misinterpretation and potential misapplication of these guidelines by some healthcare facilities and providers.
The organization emphasizes that while the new FDA regulations require mammography facilities to inform patients about their breast density, they do not mandate specific screening protocols for all women with dense breasts. Cancer Education and Research Institute® is alarmed by reports of some facilities discontinuing ultrasound services in favor of blanket MRI recommendations, as well as the growing trend of physicians promoting MRI as a universal follow-up to mammograms for women with dense breasts.
"We strongly believe in personalized breast health care," says Ayguen Sahin, MSc, PhD, CEO, founder, and cancer lead at Cancer Education and Research Institute®. "Not every woman with dense breasts should be placed in the same category or automatically recommended for an MRI. The long-standing practice of mammogram followed by ultrasound has proven effective for many women.”
The organization emphasizes several key points:
Cancer Education and Research Institute® calls for a balanced approach to implementing the new FDA guidelines, ensuring that facilities and healthcare providers prioritize patient education and choice rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all screening protocol.
"Our mission has always been to empower people and patients through education," Dr. Sahin adds. “This led to tangible, life-saving results. We remain committed to continue providing our much loved by the public, accurate, multi-language, up-to-date information about breast health, screening methods, and therapy enabling women to make informed decisions in partnership with their healthcare providers.”
For more information about breast health education, breast self-examination, screening options, and treatment please visit canceredinstitute.org and youtube.com/canceredinstitute.
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The organization emphasizes that while the new FDA regulations require mammography facilities to inform patients about their breast density, they do not mandate specific screening protocols for all women with dense breasts. Cancer Education and Research Institute® is alarmed by reports of some facilities discontinuing ultrasound services in favor of blanket MRI recommendations, as well as the growing trend of physicians promoting MRI as a universal follow-up to mammograms for women with dense breasts.
"We strongly believe in personalized breast health care," says Ayguen Sahin, MSc, PhD, CEO, founder, and cancer lead at Cancer Education and Research Institute®. "Not every woman with dense breasts should be placed in the same category or automatically recommended for an MRI. The long-standing practice of mammogram followed by ultrasound has proven effective for many women.”
The organization emphasizes several key points:
- Individualized Care: Breast cancer screening should be tailored to each woman's unique risk factors and medical history.
- Informed Choice: Women have the right to make decisions about their health based on comprehensive, unbiased information.
- Established Practices: The combination of mammogram and ultrasound remains a valid and effective screening approach for many women.
- Potential Risks: Unnecessary MRIs may lead to false positives, increased anxiety, and additional costs for patients.
- Accessibility Concerns: The removal of ultrasound devices from some facilities may limit screening options for women who cannot undergo MRI due to medical or personal reasons.
Cancer Education and Research Institute® calls for a balanced approach to implementing the new FDA guidelines, ensuring that facilities and healthcare providers prioritize patient education and choice rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all screening protocol.
"Our mission has always been to empower people and patients through education," Dr. Sahin adds. “This led to tangible, life-saving results. We remain committed to continue providing our much loved by the public, accurate, multi-language, up-to-date information about breast health, screening methods, and therapy enabling women to make informed decisions in partnership with their healthcare providers.”
For more information about breast health education, breast self-examination, screening options, and treatment please visit canceredinstitute.org and youtube.com/canceredinstitute.
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About CERI Personalized Patient Program™:
Through the CERI Personalized Patient Program™ (canceredinstitute.org/patient-program), Cancer Education and Research Institute® acts as a liaison between cancer patients and medical professionals. It bridges the gap between cancer specialists and cancer patients, and provides patients and their families personalized, simplified education in local language about the cancer type being dealt with, including targeted treatment and latest research. It further identifies, and guides patients toward clinical trials and top specialists in their disease. This allows timely and efficient treatment.
About Cancer Education and Research Institute®:
Cancer Education and Research Institute® (canceredinstitute.org), is an award-winning, independent, Boston-based, 501(c)(3) global non-profit organization. Its mission is to 1) make cancer and cancer research understandable for everyone; 2) bridge the gap between cancer professionals and cancer patients; 3) provide cancer research scholarships for promising high school students worldwide, career guidance, and mentorship; and 4) conduct in-house innovative cancer research and directly translate it to the public. Cancer Education and Research Institute® is the United Nations, UNIATF Award 2019 recipient.
Through the CERI Personalized Patient Program™ (canceredinstitute.org/patient-program), Cancer Education and Research Institute® acts as a liaison between cancer patients and medical professionals. It bridges the gap between cancer specialists and cancer patients, and provides patients and their families personalized, simplified education in local language about the cancer type being dealt with, including targeted treatment and latest research. It further identifies, and guides patients toward clinical trials and top specialists in their disease. This allows timely and efficient treatment.
About Cancer Education and Research Institute®:
Cancer Education and Research Institute® (canceredinstitute.org), is an award-winning, independent, Boston-based, 501(c)(3) global non-profit organization. Its mission is to 1) make cancer and cancer research understandable for everyone; 2) bridge the gap between cancer professionals and cancer patients; 3) provide cancer research scholarships for promising high school students worldwide, career guidance, and mentorship; and 4) conduct in-house innovative cancer research and directly translate it to the public. Cancer Education and Research Institute® is the United Nations, UNIATF Award 2019 recipient.
Media Inquiries
Reporters may contact
Ayguen Sahin, M.Sc., Ph.D.
CEO, Founder, and Cancer Lead
Cancer Education and Research Institute (CERI)
for more information, or to schedule interviews.
Contact
Reporters may contact
Ayguen Sahin, M.Sc., Ph.D.
CEO, Founder, and Cancer Lead
Cancer Education and Research Institute (CERI)
for more information, or to schedule interviews.
Contact
#cancer #health #cancertreatment #cancerpatient #cancerprevention #cancereducation
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