CHECKUP UCLA SEEKS VOLUNTEERS FOR DIGITAL-MAMMOGRAM STUDY.

Byline: - Mariko Thompson

UCLA is looking for 2,475 women to participate in a study that will determine whether digital mammography is better than conventional mammography at detecting breast cancer.

Study participants will receive a standard mammogram and a digital mammogram. The mammograms will be reviewed by two UCLA radiologists and two experts from the American College of Radiology.

Digital mammography uses computers and specially designed detectors to produce a digital image of the breast that can be displayed and manipulated on high-resolution monitors.

To qualify for the study, volunteers must not have a history of breast cancer surgery, have breast implants, be pregnant or have a pre-existing breast lump or nipple discharge. Upon enrolling in the study, participants must be due for an annual screening mammogram. They also must agree to undergo a standard and a digital mammogram one year later, at UCLA or another study site.

The study is part of the national digital mammographic imaging screening trial coordinated by the National Cancer Institute and the American College of Radiology.

TEACHERS AT RISK: The first study to extensively examine cancer among California schoolteachers found significantly higher rates of breast, endometrial and melanoma cancers.

Researchers from USC; University of California, Irvine; the Northern California Cancer Center; and the state Department of Health Services said the 133,500 female educators most likely have in common certain risk factors that contribute to the higher rate of certain cancers.

Compared to other California women, the teachers had a 51 percent higher rate of breast cancer, a 72 percent higher rate of endometrial cancer and a 59 percent higher rate of melanoma. They also had lower rates of certain cancers, including lung cancer and cervical cancer.

Investigators plan to examine the causes behind the increased risk of certain cancers over the next few years. Some factors that may explain the higher rates of breast cancer include early onset of menstruation, having children later in life or not at all and use of hormone replacement therapy following menopause.