The Testicular Cancer Society recognizes April as Testicular Cancer Awareness Month. According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 9,310 new cases of testicular cancer will be diagnosed and approximately 400 men will die of the disease in the U.S. this year.^[1] While testicular cancer is relatively rare, accounting for just 1% of male cancers and occurring in about 1 in 250 males,^[2] the incidence of this type of cancer has been increasing over the past several decades. So far, cancer researchers have not identified causes of this increase.^[3]

Each April, the U.S. recognizes National Cancer Control Month. Cancer control includes each phase of the fight against cancer: prevention, detection, and treatment. More than 1.7 billion Americans will be diagnosed with cancer this year, and 38.5% (approximately 1 in 2.6) of people in the U.S. are expected to be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lifetimes. However, the numbers of both new cancer cases and cancer-related deaths per capita have been declining steadily since the early 1990s. In 1975, cancer patients faced an overall relative 5-year survival rate of 48.7%; in 2009, this rate was up to 69.3%.^[1] 

A woman who experiences symptoms like trouble getting pregnant, repeated miscarriages, or abnormal menstrual bleeding may be referred for a sonohysterogram to investigate possible causes. If a transabdominal or transvaginal ultrasound produces insufficiently clear images to locate the source of the problem, then a sonohysterogram may be recommended.

This year, March 12–18 is Brain Awareness Week, a global celebration of the brain and the promise of brain research. To help expand your brain awareness, we’ll discuss how computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are used to create medically useful images of the brain and surrounding structures.

March Is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Inflammatory breast cancer is a rare form of breast cancer in which cancerous cells block the lymph vessels in breast tissue, causing the breast to become swollen, red, sensitive, or otherwise inflamed. It is rare, accounting for less than 5% of breast cancer cases, and it is easily mistaken for mastitis, a breast infection common among nursing mothers.^[1] Because inflammatory breast cancer is also very aggressive, it’s important to be able to recognize its symptoms and get in to see your doctor as soon as possible if they appear.

Every February, we recognize American Heart Month, which was first designated by President Johnson in 1964. At that time, more than half of deaths in the U.S. were attributable to heart disease.^[1] As of 2011, approximately one third of deaths in this country were due to heart disease, stroke, or other cardiovascular conditions. Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death around the globe.^[2]

World Cancer Day & National Cancer Prevention Month

February is a month to raise awareness of cancers of all kinds. February 4 is World Cancer Day, a global event created to unite the world’s population in the fight against cancer through education and encouraging governments and individuals to take action. Here in the U.S., February is National Cancer Prevention Month. There are a number of ways we can participate in the fight against cancer. On the most personal level, we can adopt healthy habits and educate ourselves about known and suspected causes of cancer. On a national and global level, we can help to raise awareness, contribute to reputable research organizations, and reach out to our representatives to tell them that funding cancer research should remain a national priority.

By now, you’ve probably heard of 3-D mammography, properly called breast tomosynthesis. Unlike traditional mammography, which uses two X-ray images of each breast (one vertical and one horizontal), tomosynthesis uses a series of digital images, which are taken as the mammography machine moves in an arc over the breast. These images are then assembled by computer into a 3-D image that the radiologist can examine in detail. Even though many more images are captured, modern breast tomosynthesis technology can accomplish this using a radiation dose that’s similar to that of a conventional 2-D mammogram.^[1]

What is a hysterosalpingogram?

A hysterosalpingogram is an X-ray exam of the uterus and fallopian tubes. It uses fluoroscopy, which creates a moving picture rather than a single still image, to track the flow of contrast material in the uterus so the radiologist can clearly see the areas of interest.