Breast Health Resources

Why October Matters

Extensive knowledge, research and evidence tell us early detection of breast cancer can enable doctors to take action to keep the disease from progressing. Early detection expands the treatment options available to a patient. Furthermore, it can help avoid difficult treatments if cancer is detected early. With today’s imaging technologies, we’re finding abnormalities early and giving women better health and peace of mind.

As the SBI continues to celebrate its 40th anniversary, we want to focus on #40&Empowered: Clear Guidance. Confident Care. While guidelines elsewhere may be confusing, SBI’s guidance has been clear and consistent and remains steadfast in emphasizing the importance of annual screening beginning at age 40.

Breast cancer awareness is vital all year, but October brings a unique moment to amplify the importance of early detection.

Community Stories

One day while walking during chemo, an idea came to me: I could write a children’s book that explains cancer, chemotherapy, and cold capping. I hadn’t seen any books like that, so I did a quick Google search mid-walk to confirm, went home, and told my husband I wanted to write a book. I had always dreamed of publishing a book but never had an idea that felt meaningful until this moment.

>Read more in the Winter 2025 issue.

The value of life and how quickly it can change. I now feel an abundance of gratitude. I feel very blessed to have had an early diagnosis. I’m thankful for the care I received and the skill of my surgeons. Never take your health for granted; health is wealth.

>Read more in the Fall 2024 issue.

My career as a breast imaging radiologist was inspired by my mother, Bernice Fishman, of blessed memory, who passed away 18 years ago from recurrent breast cancer. After initially responding to treatment, her cancer returned two years later in an aggressive form. For over 20 years, she served as a hospice social worker at Holy Cross Home Care and Hospice in Silver Spring, Maryland, where she was admired for her compassion and professionalism. She was a devoted mother who cared deeply for her family and friends.

> Story from Michael Fishman, MD

I have been working as a breast imaging radiologist for the past 3 years in Mexico City. During this time, I have had the opportunity to learn from wonderful colleagues and patients. It has been a privilege to be surrounded by such capable and dedicated people. Recently, I had also the fortune of continuing my training-which is a lifelong journey-in the breast department at Penn State Health. Penn State has an outstanding staff who put their best to make an excellent screening program. I chose to present images of a patient with an invasive ductal carcinoma detected with a screening mammogram that measured 5 mm. This patient has so far, a very successful outcome. We cannot stress enough the importance of screening in the early detection of breast cancer.

> Story from Marianne De la Mora Malvaez, MD

Nurturing Minds, Building Futures in Breast Imaging At the Breast Imaging Unit.

Education is more than a program—it is part of our identity. From the very beginning, we recognized that advancing breast cancer care requires not only state-of-the-art technology, but also highly trained radiologists who can interpret images with skill, confidence, and compassion. Our Journey in Teaching and Training We began by opening our doors to trainee radiologists and residents. Each case became a teaching moment, and each patient became a lesson in the value of early and accurate diagnosis. Our lectures, scientific evenings, seminars and conferences fostered a culture of lifelong learning from basics to advanced imaging. Beyond our center, we reached out to colleagues through on-site hands-on workshops in ultrasound and mammography interpretation, we turned knowledge into practice. We further extended our mission across Jordan and the region—sharing expertise, organizing courses, and mentoring future trainers. The Fruit of Our Efforts Years of dedication to teaching have blossomed into something remarkable: the launch of a Breast Imaging Fellowship Program—the first in Jordan and in the region. This fellowship is more than a milestone; it is a legacy. It reflects our belief that investing in people multiplies impact, ensuring that future generations of radiologists will continue to raise the standards of breast cancer diagnosis and care. Radiographer Training The unit runs parallel efforts in training radiographer in mammography; building basic skill for obtaining mammography images. Advanced radiographer training in imaging techniques, interventional procedures, and quality assurance also provided. This increased the number of well-trained radiographer in Jordan and the region.

> Story from Laila AbuTahoun, MD

We never quite know the real impact we radiologists have on our patients. I am retired from my practice, but I returned to New Mexico to put on a breast imaging course in Santa Fe last month. As I was deplaning, a woman came up to me and asked, “Are you Dr. Linver?”. I said I was, surprised that she recognized me, given that I was wearing a face mask, and that I had moved away from Albuquerque seven years ago. She then said, “I want to thank you. You saved my life 18 years ago.” I was overwhelmed with emotion, as was she. It was a powerful moment, one that validated my lifelong commitment to breast imaging, and crystalized the impact we have on our patients. In an instant 18 years ago, I transformed her life. It was a moment she would never forget. We rarely have the opportunity to appreciate the long term value of our efforts. Breast imaging works- we change our patients’ lives for the better, and in the process, we change our own lives as well. There is a wonderful saying in the holy scriptures: “If you save a single life, it is as if you save the world”. This patient made me realize again that we have been blessed with a gift to do just that, every day of our professional lives.

> Story from Michael Linver, MD

These stories and many more inspire us every day. Subscribe to SBI on YouTube and watch more here

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Follow Along on Social and Share Your Stories

SBI has curated a library of images that can easily be accessed through this album & shared on social media.
Share your stories! It’s not too late to upload content for SBI to share, or be sure to tag SBI when posting on your accounts.
Follow SBI on Social Media and use the hashtags #endtheconfusion and #40&empowered when you post!

e-Learning

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JBI

Evidence- based breast imaging content with CME

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Helpful Links

Hot Topics, Talking Points, and Position Statements Facts About Screening Breast Screening Guidelines at Every Age Facts About Breast Pain: Patient Handout

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