Dr Gordon spoke with Boris Goldman, MD, a plastic surgeon who does a lot of breast reconstruction, and a panel of experts that included Martin Abrams, MD, a medical oncologist; Beth Aronson, MD, a physiatrist, and John Spera, MD, a radiation oncologist.

Dr Gordon helped to clear up some myths about breast cancer, and to assure women that it is not uncommon to have a call-back on a mammogram or to need further testing. For every woman diagnosed with breast cancer, nine will go through extra testing, and will have doctors find nothing, he said. But it is always better to be extra cautious, he added. Breast cancer is also a very common disease, accounting for one out of every three cancers diagnosed today. At Danbury Hospital alone, 200 new cases are diagnosed each year. Of the approximate 9,000 mammograms Danbury Hospital does a year, one in ten are called back for extra testing.

Common myths about breast cancer, according to Dr Gordon, run the gamut, including:

I’m not at risk because breast cancer doesn’t run in my family. In fact, the majority of patients diagnosed do not have a family history.

My mother or sister has it, so it is only a matter of time for me. In fact, a relative with the disease is not a guarantee that you will have it.

It does not make sense to do my own month breast exam because I do not know what I am feeling. In fact, most women know what their breasts feel like and can detect a change.

If I have breast cancer, I have to hurry up and have the surgery. In fact, in many instances, its not urgent to have the surgery immediately. Breast cancer is slow growing in most cases and you have the time to get a second opinion and do your research thoughtfully.

If I have breast cancer, I must go to a medical center in New York City or New Haven for treatment. In fact, breast cancer is a common disease and Danbury Hospital is highly capable of treating it. “We’ve met the standards for excellence.”

Dr Gordon also reminded women of the risk factors, which include increasing age; a family history, especially a first-degree relative who has had it, or younger relatives and multiple relatives; a personal history of breast cancer; a prior biopsy; a personal history of other types of cancer; hormonal factors including earlier menstruation and later menopause; having your first child at a late age; obesity; alcohol use.

The American Cancer Society recommends the following guidelines for screening and early detection, because early detection saves lives. The five-year survival rate for catching breast cancer in the early stage is 97 percent. At age 40, have an annual mammogram, annual clinical exam, and an optional monthly self-exam.

For more information on breast cancer, ask a doctor, or visit the Danbury Hospital website, www.danburyhospital.org.