Finding Breast Cancer Early:
A Mother’s Story

Sandra Santiago never misses her appointment for a mammogram. The Wareham resident knows that having her yearly breast screening exam can improve the chances of finding breast cancer early, when it’s more treatable.

And in 2006, that’s exactly what happened.

After learning that something was not quite right with her mammogram, Santiago had another scan and an ultrasound. A biopsy confirmed a malignant tumor. But because it was caught early, when it was still small, doctors were able to remove only the part of the breast with the tumor. That procedure, called a lumpectomy, was followed by radiation therapy.

Watching their mother take charge of her breast health inspired Santiago’s daughters to do the same. “One of them just turned 30,” Santiago said, “and she’s contacting her insurance company to see if she can get a baseline mammogram done now.”

Southcoast also is focused on the next generation — the next generation of diagnostic technology. Installing digital mammography units at all Southcoast facilities will impact a lot of women. Digital mammography is significantly better than standard mammography in detecting breast cancer in three groups of women:

• Those younger than age 50.
• Women with very dense breasts.
• Those who are pre- or perimenopausal.