Why a Breast-Specific Radiologist Matters
You probably think about when and where to schedule your mammogram. But there’s another important question: Who is reading it?
Dr. Surekha Joshi, a breast radiologist at Margaret West Comprehensive Breast Center, shares what women should know about the physicians behind their breast imaging and why breast care goes far beyond an annual mammogram.
What exactly is a breast radiologist, and how is that different from a general radiologist?
Radiologists are physicians specially trained to interpret medical imaging, but breast radiologists specialize in detection and diagnosis of breast disease. We focus on breast imaging and breast-related procedures. We often follow patients through much of the diagnostic process, utilizing mammography, ultrasound, breast MRI, and image-guided procedures. We work closely with breast surgeons, oncologists, pathologists, and radiation oncologists.
Why is it important for women to know who reads their mammogram?
It is not simply about reading a mammogram. Because we spend our days evaluating breast images, we become highly familiar with the subtle findings that can distinguish normal breast tissue from something that may require a closer look. Breast cancer can sometimes present as a very small or subtle change on a mammogram, so having someone with specialized breast imaging expertise interpreting those images is valuable. We are often the first physicians to identify a possible breast cancer.
What surprises women most about breast imaging today?
I think many women are surprised by how personalized breast screening has become. Mammography is the most important tool, but it isn’t the only tool we have.
Depending on a woman’s breast density, family history, genetics, previous biopsies, and overall risk, we may recommend additional imaging such as ultrasound or breast MRI. Our Breast Center also has a High-Risk Breast Clinic, dedicated to creating personalized surveillance plans for women at higher risk of developing breast cancer. Breast care doesn’t necessarily look the same for every woman.
What’s one thing you wish more women understood about breast cancer?
Breast cancer is common, and it’s not the same in every woman. It is not one disease, but a group of different diseases that all start in the breast. Some grow slowly and some quickly, and they respond to different treatments. Also, a diagnosis of breast cancer does not automatically mean a poor outcome. Survival is excellent if detected early. I want women to understand that screening is not just about finding cancer. It is about finding it at a stage when we have the most treatment options. I would say screening is about giving women more options.
My advice is to know your own risk and ask questions. Know your breast density. Know your family history. And if something changes — a new lump, nipple changes, skin changes, or something that simply doesn’t feel normal — don’t wait for your next routine screening to have it evaluated.
At Margaret West Comprehensive Breast Center, breast imaging is part of a larger team dedicated specifically to breast health, allowing us to take women from screening to additional imaging, diagnosis, and specialized care when needed.
Learn more about Dr. Surekha Joshi and Margaret West Comprehensive Breast Center at Margaretwestbreastcenter.com. Appointments are available, and we accept all major insurance carriers.
By Mae Bennett
