When Breast Cancer Meets Ovarian Cancer

07/22/2026

Annual mammograms are the best way to detect breast cancer early, when treatment is most effective. Yet changing national guidance about what age to start from 40 to 50 and now back to 40 again can be confusing.

Pouneh Razavi, M.D., director of Breast Imaging in the National Capital Region, oversees breast imaging operations at the Sullivan Breast Center at Sibley Memorial Hospital and Johns Hopkins Medical Imaging in Bethesda. She cuts through the clutter with clear advice for breast cancer screenings.

Check out the article to learn more!

Mammogram Age Guidelines: What You Need to Know Women's Health Featured Expert Pouneh Razavi, M.D. Updated July 20, 2026 Annual mammograms are the best way to detect breast cancer early, when treatment is most effective. Yet changing national guidance about what age to start – from 40 to 50 and n...

07/20/2026

Mammogram vs. Ultrasound vs. MRI: do you know which one does what? 👇🏽

🔹 Mammogram: “Is there something here?” Your first line of defense an X-ray that catches changes before you can feel them.

🔹 Ultrasound: “What is this exactly?” Used when a mammogram finds something unclear, or if you have dense breast tissue. Tells us solid vs. fluid-filled.

🔹 MRI: “Are we missing anything?” For higher-risk patients or when we need the most detailed picture possible.

No single test does it all. Know your risk. Know your options. Talk to your provider about what YOU need. 💗

📖 Want to go deeper on breast and ovarian cancer detection? Link in bio for my book, “Cancer Doesn’t Always Win: Comprehensive Guide to Beating Breast and Ovarian Cancer”.

07/17/2026

1️⃣ Pull your family history 3 generations back, both sides. Who had cancer, what type, and at what age.

2️⃣ Check if your practice offers genetic counseling or BRCA testing, so you can ask to be referred.

3️⃣ Look up your last mammogram report and check your breast density rating (it’s on there most women never read it).

4️⃣ Write down any changes you’ve noticed, even small ones. Don’t rely on memory in the room.

5️⃣ Decide your questions in advance and bring them written down, appointments move fast, and it’s easy to forget what mattered most.

Walk in prepared. Walk out informed. 🩷🩵

07/17/2026

If you’ve had cancer before or there’s a history of cancer in your family, you may want to consider genetic testing for breast cancer. Genetic testing looks for changes in genes, called mutations or pathogenic variants. Certain genetic mutations are linked to a higher risk of breast cancer. Check out the article to learn more.

Genetic testing can help you figure out your risk of breast cancer. It can also help your doctor to better tailor your treatments if you've been diagnosed. Here's how to know if it’s for you.

07/16/2026

Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a rare subtype of breast cancer whose symptoms typically first appear as breast skin changes. It accounts for only about 2% to 4% of new breast cancer diagnoses annually. But because it’s so aggressive, IBC makes up a disproportionate number of breast cancer-related deaths each year. Check out the article to learn more.

Inflammatory breast cancer is a rare, aggressive form of the disease that’s frequently misdiagnosed. Wendy Woodward, M.D., Ph.D., explains why speed and an accurate diagnosis are so critical to successful treatment.

07/16/2026

Breast cancers diagnosed during the first 3 years after childbirth, particularly within the first year, may be biologically more aggressive than similar cancers in women who have never given birth, according to a new study led by investigators at the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Centre. Check out the article to learn more.

Breast cancers diagnosed during the first 3 years after childbirth may be biologically more aggressive than similar cancers in women who have never given birth.

04/30/2026

Breast cancer care is changing fast.

We’re seeing advances in:
🔬 Earlier risk detection
🧪 Blood tests that can show how treatment is working
🎯 More personalized therapies

But here’s what often gets missed:

Progress in science doesn’t always mean equal access to it.

That gap matters.

Because the future of breast cancer care isn’t just about new technology, it’s about making sure people actually benefit from it.

Awareness. Access. Equity.

That’s where real impact happens.

04/28/2026

Clinical trials are not a last resort, they are access to innovation, options, and hope.

If you or someone you love is navigating breast or ovarian cancer, these tools can help you take the next step with confidence.

💗 Save this post
💬 Share with someone who needs it
🔗 Follow for more EmpowerHER resources

03/26/2026

If you’ve been dealing with bloating, pelvic pain, feeling full quickly, or changes in your bladder habits and your doctor brushed it off……this is for you.

Two tests that should be on your radar:

🔬 CA-125 blood test a tumor marker that can be elevated when ovarian cancer is present. It’s not perfect, but it’s a starting point your doctor should consider.

🩻 Transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) gives a direct look at your ovaries to detect any masses or abnormalities that shouldn’t be there.

The problem? Too many women are sent home with “it’s probably stress” or “let’s wait and see” without either of these tests being ordered.

You know your body. If something feels off, advocate for yourself. Ask for both. By name. 📋

Early detection saves lives, and you deserve a provider who takes your symptoms seriously.

💬 Have you ever had to advocate for yourself at a doctor’s appointment? Tell me below. 👇🏾

03/16/2026

Most people have never heard of inflammatory breast cancer. That’s the problem. 💗
Unlike typical breast cancer, IBC doesn’t always show up as a lump. Instead, look for:

🔴 Redness or discoloration of the breast
🔴 Skin that looks dimpled or pitted like an orange peel
🔴 Breast that feels warm or heavy
🔴 Swelling that comes on quickly
🔴 Ni**le changes or inversion

IBC is rare but it’s aggressive. It can be mistaken for an infection, a rash, or “just hormones.”
If something looks or feels different, don’t wait for it to go away. Push for answers. 💗
Save this post. Share it. It could save a life. 💗🩵