Time to Focus on Women’s Health With Regular Screenings

Mammograms, bone and cardio scans can detect leading women’s health concerns early 

Fairfax, VA, May 13, 2019 – Women often put themselves on the back burner, taking a toll on their health. National Women’s Health Week (May 12-18) is an annual reminder for women to prioritize their health, which includes scheduling recommended screenings for their breast, bone and heart health. Fortunately, all three have significantly better outcomes if caught early through regular screenings:

• Roughly 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. Among women who receive regular mammograms, breast cancer deaths are reduced by 30-50%. 
• Osteoporosis can be present in women for years without noticeable symptoms and many women do not know they have it until they break a bone.
• Approximately 90% of women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease, the leading cause of death among women in the United States.

“It’s not always easy for women to take care of themselves given all the demands we juggle,” says Dr. Elise Berman, radiologist and breast imaging specialist at Fairfax Radiological Consultants (FRC). “National Women’s Health Week is a time for women to advocate for themselves, just like we do for our families and friends. We at FRC are trying to make that even more convenient with many locations, as well as early and weekend hours.”

Who should consider screening? Here are some guidelines:

• Annual mammograms should become routine for women at the age of 40 and those over the age of 30 should have a risk assessment to determine if they should begin earlier screening according to the Society of Breast Imaging and American College of Radiology.
• Bone scans are recommended for women who are 65 years or older and women who are 50-64 years old and have certain risk factors for osteoporosis.
• Regular heart health screenings such as cholesterol, blood pressure and blood glucose are important to maintaining a healthy heart and the results of these may lead to further screening specifically of the heart.  

For more information on how women can maintain good health through mammograms, bone and cardio scans visit https://fairfaxradiology.com/womens-health or contact Todd Post at tpost@jpa.com to interview an expert physician:

Dr. Elise L. Berman, M.D.: Dr. Berman is the Section Head and Director of Breast Imaging Services at Fairfax Radiological Consultants. She is a board-certified radiologist who specializes in comprehensive breast imaging services, including mammography with 3D, breast ultrasound, breast MRI, and breast biopsy and intervention services. Dr. Berman has developed and taught numerous CME accredited breast MRI and breast MRI intervention courses to breast radiologists, breast surgeons, and radiological technologists. Her radiologic imaging interpretation and biopsy skills are frequently sought by the area’s most highly regarded breast surgeons. 

Dr. Lee Spangler, M.D.: Dr. Spangler continually strives to provide evidence-based, caring, compassionate breast care to Northern Virginia as a member of the Breast Imaging section at Fairfax Radiological Consultants. His practice encompasses all facets of breast health from mammographic, sonographic, and MRI screenings, to comprehensive breast cancer imaging from detection and diagnosis to post-treatment surveillance.  Dr. Spangler has led or co-authored several published articles and presented at national meetings, and his research interests include pre-operative imaging staging of breast cancer and the emerging role of 3D mammography. 

About Fairfax Radiological Consultants
Fairfax Radiology was established in 1965 and is currently the largest private Radiology practice in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area, employing more than 70 sub-specialized Radiologists. In addition to our outpatient imaging facilities located throughout the Northern Virginia area, we provide professional services in cooperation with Inova Fairfax Hospital, Inova Loudoun Hospital, Inova Fair Oaks Hospital and The Fairfax MRI Center.

Media Contact:  
Todd Post, JPA Health Communications  
tpost@jpa.com