Survival rates among breast cancer patients have increased, in part due to improvements in breast cancer screenings, treatment and new technologies.

"People are living longer with breast cancer," said Dr. Uzma Iqbal, medical director and medical oncologist at the Cypress Fairbanks Medical Center's Cancer Center.

At northwest Houston hospitals, 3D mammograms are now regular practice, providing a more accurate x-ray detection tool.

Many private insurance providers are now paying for 3D mammograms, which are proven to be significantly more effective.

3D mammograms increase detection of breast cancer by 41 percent over 2D mammograms, said Dr. Ainel Sewell, Breast Imaging Radiologist and Medical Director at Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital's Breast Care Center. In addition, 3D mammograms reduce false positive results by up to 40 percent, she said.

"3D mammograms are more likely to pick up a breast cancer," Sewell said. "And when we are able to find the breast cancer, we can biopsy it sooner and get treatment sooner. The earlier you find the breast cancer, the smaller it usually is."

Houston Methodist Willowbrook's Breast Care Center offers complimentary genetic counseling to determine if a patient is at high risk for breast cancer.

Regular screenings are the best way to detect and treat breast cancer.

Area hospitals recommend that women begin getting annual 3D mammograms at age 40. If the patient has other risk factors including a family history of breast cancer or genetic predisposition, then the screenings would start earlier.

As preventative care, area hospitals also recommend women have an annual physical exam with a primary care physician and conduct a monthly self breast exam.

More Information BASIC TIPS ü Regular screenings are the best way to detect and treat breast cancer. ü Hospitals recommend that patients begin getting annual 3D mammograms at age 40. ü If the patient has other risk factors including a family history of breast cancer or genetic predisposition, then the screenings would start earlier. ü Women should conduct monthly self breast exams ü Women should have an annual physical from a primary care physician ü Breast cancer is not just a disease women get, men also can get breast cancer. See More Collapse

"Research shows that early detection may offer the greatest opportunity for full recovery," said Teal Holden, Vice President of Ambulatory Services for Memorial Hermann Health System. "The most effective way to detect breast cancer at an early, curable stage is to have a clinical breast exam each year and an annual screening mammogram starting at age 40."

The MD Anderson Breast Care with Memorial Hermann-Cypress, has digital technology to detect smaller tumors sooner, at earlier stages, Teal said.

"When you screen cancer at an earlier stage, it's not just more curable, the treatments are a lot less toxic," said Dr. Ali Mazloom, Medical Director and Radiation Oncologist at the Cy-Fair Cancer Center. "We screen early, we diagnose precisely and we make a multidisciplinary plan and execute it," said Iqbal of Cy-Fair Cancer Center.

Breast cancer is not just a disease women get, men also can get breast cancer. Men should seek treatment if they feel a lump in their chest well or breast tissue, Sewell said.

Hospitals are also focusing on improving treatments to reduce side effects of chemotherapy and radiation.

Cypress Fairbanks Medical Center's Cancer Center is using advanced radiation treatment to treat the specific cancer tissue rather than the entire breast, which reduces the amount of radiation needed and thus reduces the side effects for patients, said Mazloom.

And the new radiation therapy is much quicker-patients who qualify for the treatment receive the therapy twice a day for five days, rather than four to six weeks of radiation treatment. The patients have to be earlier stage cancer.

But even more important than having the new technology, the Cypress Fairbanks Medical Center's Cancer Center has a highly trained medical team, including fellowship trained breast radiologist, said Iqbal.

"Anybody can buy the machine, but the important part are the people reading these images are well trained," Iqbal said. "It's extremely important."

And Cypress Fairbank's Cancer Center offers targeted therapies, tailored to each patient.

"It's not one size fits all," Iqbal said. "Two people can have breast cancer, but be totally different. We have targeted therapies."

"It's so important to have precision diagnosis," she said. "After the imaging, we have trained pathologists that are able to identify and diagnosis this cancer to the molecular level, very precise. It's specific to that woman. It's very important for us to do that."

Northwest Houston area hospitals work to personalize the patient's care, including holding a multidisciplinary meeting prior to a patient's treatment to coordinate care between the entire medical team involved-the radiologist, oncologist, surgeon and any other medical team.

"It's important that all the people involved in their care are present," Iqbal said. "The care planning is very personalized, and it is all very precisely planned."

Iqbal, a Cypress resident, prides herself on offering quality care in her own community.

"It is extremely rewarding to actually treat the community where you live," said Iqbal. "Here we know our patients very well."

Another advancement in breast cancer treatment is the use of computer technology to log the exact location of radiation treatment. Previously, the physicians decided which beam angles to use and pointed the radiation toward the cancer-effected organs.

"But now with the computer systems and technology, you can tell the computer what the target is and then tell the computer what organs to spare, and then the computer comes up with an optimal plan," Mazloom said.

The system is more effective because you can treat the cancer with a higher dose and not harm healthy tissue with the radiation. The treatment reduces the amount of radiation and therefore reduces the side effects to patients.

Health care options continue to grow in northwest Houston, including the expansion of more local detection and treatment options for breast cancer.

"At Tomball Regional Medical Center's Imaging Center, our dedicated team of radiologists, technologists, registered nurses and staff are proud to offer digital mammograms, screening and diagnostics, breast ultrasounds, stereotactic biopsy and bone density testing in a comfortable and caring environment," said Sylvia Saumell, marketing manager with Tomball Regional.

"If you have cancer, it's hard to drive an hour to downtown," said Dr. Mazloom at Cy-Fair Cancer Center.

"A lot of our patients get the same treatments here as they do there. Patients can get the care closer to home."