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FDA Calls for Recall on Textured Breast Implants

Last month, Allergen issued a world-wide recall on their textured breast implants. This followed a discovery by the FDA of a direct link between the implants and a rare type of cancer. According to FDA Principal Deputy Commissioner Amy Abernethy, Allergen’s textured implants “appeared to be directly linked to significant patient harm, including death.”

While the link between the textured implants and cancer was first identified in 2011, it was only recently that there has been a significant increase in known cases of Implant Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), according to the FDA. This is not a type of breast cancer, but a cancer that affects the immune system. Slow […]

By | August 13, 2019|Categories: Uncategorized|0 Comments
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Breastlink Tests New Optoacoustic Imaging Machine

Breastlink Women’s Imaging Temecula recently participated in a clinical trial that tested a cancer screening machine designed to differentiate between benign and malignant breast tumors. The goal of the trial was to see whether the machine could reduce false positive diagnoses. It was conducted at 16 academic and private institutions across the nation. Dr. Tchaiko Parris, Director of Breast Imaging at Breastlink Temecula, oversaw the majority of the testing in Southern California. Results of the trial were published in Radiology, a leading medical journal, and will likely have a major impact on the future of cancer screening and diagnosis.

Breastlink Clinical Trials

Breastlink is heavily involved in medical […]

By | July 5, 2018|Categories: Breast Imaging, Media|0 Comments
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Breast Cancer Myths. Fact or Fiction?

Modern technology has made it easy for women to find information about breast cancer. Unfortunately, it has also made it easier for them to be misled. Myths are often circulated and popularized online, distorting women’s understanding of breast cancer. Here are 10 common breast cancer myths and the truth about them.

Myth No.1: Deodorant Causes Breast Cancer

This myth is based on flawed studies about two common ingredients in deodorants and antiperspirants: aluminum and parabens. Aluminum is used to block sweat glands and by doing so, some people worried it could prevent the release of toxins and potentially damagebreast tissue and estrogen receptors around the armpits. However, the body does not expel […]

By | June 14, 2018|Categories: Breast Cancer Risks, Breast Cancer Screening, Cancer News, Cancer Research|0 Comments
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Breast cancer causes the West family to evaluate everything

The West family has dedicated their lives to Breast Health Awareness and to Breast Cancer Treatment, but even they were rocked by a cancer diagnosis.

Dr. John West, Director of Surgery at Breastlink Orange, has treated thousands of patients, written numerous peer-reviewed articles, founded the Breast Health Awareness Foundation and authored the book “Prevent, Survive, Thrive.” His wife Jan is a registered nurse who has spent her life teaching women how to perform breast self-exams, and their son, Dr. Justin West, is Medical Director of Breast Reconstruction and Plastic Surgery at Breastlink.

When Jan was diagnosed with breast cancer, the family was forced to confront their own vulnerabilities and humanity. Read how […]

By | April 5, 2018|Categories: Breast Cancer|1 Comment
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Why You Shouldn’t Wear Deodorant When Getting a Mammogram

A lot of women don’t understand why radiologists ask them not to wear deodorant when they come in for a mammogram. Most deodorants and antiperspirants contain aluminum, which blocks sweat ducts and prevents you from perspiring. The amount of aluminum in the average bar of deodorant is small, however, even a small amount is enough to interfere with a mammogram.

The aluminum particles in deodorant look like tiny white dots on mammogram, mimicking the appearance of calcifications on a mammogram. Calcifications can be an early sign of breast cancer. If there are any aluminum particles in the picture, it becomes difficult to distinguish deodorant aluminum from calcifications. This […]

By | November 22, 2017|Categories: Breast Cancer Screening|1 Comment
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Breastlink Tarzana Installs New GE Senographe Pristina 3D Mammography System

Breastlink Women’s Imaging Tarzana is excited to announce the installation of a new, state-of-the-art mammography machine: The Senographe Pristina. This 3D mammography system is designed around patient comfort. The Senographe Pristina also has gentle, rounded edges, which reduce discomfort, as well as soft armrests, rather than the traditional handgrips, easing muscle tension. These innovations have made mammograms noticeably more comfortable for patients.

Patient comfort is a key factor for achieving accurate mammograms. Relaxed patients move less while being x-rayed and that produces […]

By | November 21, 2017|Categories: Press Releases|0 Comments
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Myth: Mammograms are equally effective for all women

Myth: Mammograms are equally effective for all women.

Fact: Up to 50% of small cancers may not be visible on the screening mammogram.

Although the screening mammogram has been highly effective in terms of early detection of breast cancer, it is not without its limitations. A recently published study in the prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) demonstrated that screening mammography has a 47 percent cancer false negative rate in women with dense breasts. This means that up to 47% of cancers may not be seen on the mammogram. Other recent studies demonstrated that women with dense breast tissue have an increased risk of developing breast cancer, which some […]

By | July 9, 2017|Categories: Breast Cancer Screening, Breast Conditions, Cancer Research|0 Comments
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Myth: Breast Self Exam Doesn’t Work

Myth: Breast Self Exam Doesn’t Work

Reality: Breast Self Exams Can Be Lifesaving!

Until recently, all women were encouraged to do monthly breast self-exams (BSE) starting at age 21. However, new guidelines from the Komen Foundation and the American Cancer society state that women do not need to do self-exam, but should be “self-aware” and report any change to their doctor. Just how a woman becomes “self-aware” without some form of training is not explained.

These new recommendations have created a great deal of confusion. Women are asking, “Why the change in guidelines”? After all, the reality is that women who do BSE with confidence are capable of detecting small and potentially […]

By | July 2, 2017|Categories: Breast Cancer Screening, Cancer Research|0 Comments
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Breast Cancer Risk Reduction

A recent report by Carlo La Vecchia, head of the department of epidemiology at the University of Milan, indicated that if women were to eat less and exercise more, their risk of developing breast cancer would be reduced by as much as 30 percent. Their findings, which are in general agreement with multiple other studies, indicate that regular, vigorous exercise and maintenance of normal weight are associated with significant reduction in the risk of developing breast cancer. This is a very important finding and deserves the attention it is receiving.  It is common for both physicians and patients to blame cancer diagnoses on unavoidable influences, such as family history, or some yet to be identified environmental factor, such as DDT or Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR).

Thinking of breast cancer as a disease that may be influenced by our behavior is a positive way of dealing with the issue.  Since being a woman is the single biggest risk factor for developing breast cancer, and the average life­time risk for a woman is one in eight, all women should be aware of the things they can do to lower their  risk.  The […]

By | June 26, 2017|Categories: Breast Cancer, Breast Conditions, Breastlink Thrive|1 Comment
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Beginning Breast Cancer Screening at 50 Misses 20 Percent of Cancers

Delaying breast cancer screening until age 50 misses 20 percent of breast cancers, according to a study published by the American Journal of Roentgenology. The study examined 32,762 mammograms from women aged 40-79, as well as their prognosis and attendant risk factors. Of that group, 808 women received biopsies and 224 were diagnosed with breast cancer. Though the majority of breast cancers were found in women over 50, 18.8 percent were found in women 40-49.

Breast Cancer Controversy

This finding contradicts the breast cancer screening guidelines issued by the United States Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF), a government panel that recommends medical practices to doctors and healthcare groups. In 2016, they […]

By | June 13, 2017|Categories: 40 not 50, Breast Cancer, Breast Cancer Screening, Cancer News|0 Comments
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Authors

Breastlink
John Link, M.D.
John West, M.D.
June Chen, M.D.
Nancy Link, R.D.N.
Nimmi Kapoor M.D.
Tchaiko Parris, M.D., Ph.D.

Disclaimer

All information provided by Breastlink on this blog is of a general nature and is not intended to be and cannot substitute medical treatment or personal advice. The information is intended only for general purposes. Many patients have different needs, reactions or forms of treatment. If you have questions regarding your own or a loved one’s treatment or care you must consult with your own physician or seek the guidance of a treating physician.