A Firsthand Account
22nd Annual Update in Breast Imaging
By Sarah E. Forbes, M.D., F.A.C.O.G., and Julia Shaw

The Ellen Shaw de Paredes Breast Cancer Foundation and the International Institute for Continuing Medical Education, Inc. presented the 22nd Annual Update in Breast Imaging.  The program director is Ellen Shaw de Paredes, MD, FACR with the following supporting faculty: Stephen A. Feig, MD, FACR, Michael N. Linver, MD, FACR, Michael Kornstein, MD and Jocelyn Rapelyea, MD.  The conference was held September 23-26, 2009 at Kingsmill Resort & Spa in Williamsburg, VA.

This was an advanced and attentive imaging course with a spectacular symposium.  The target audience was practicing physicians who within their practice have the responsibility of performing breast examinations with referrals to the acting physicians in gynecology, obstetrics and radiology whose specialty roles maximize breast interpretation technology.  The purpose of the course was to update current information in breast imaging and assessment of breast disorders and in depth assessment of imaging findings associated with breast abnormality.

Dr. Ellen Shaw de Paredes' International Institute for Continuing Medical Education is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education which designated the educational activity with 22 hours  AMA PRA Category 1 for full participation.  Educational objectives were such that participants will be able to discuss the mammograhpic and sonographic features of benign and malignant breast disease.  They then would be able to describe the roles of mammography, ultrasound and MRI in screening for breast cancer as well as the roles of breast MRI and the features of benign and malignant disease.  Appreciation of the technical and clinical differences associated with digital mammography and the technical parameters for improving skills in stereotactic, ultrasound and MRI - guided biopsies was defined in detail with questions being answered and understood.  The information was carefully presented so as to enable us to become more efficient in our diagnosis and treatment of breast lesions.

This conference was spectacular.  It was not just interesting, it was eye opening.  Yes, that a simple thing on a woman's chest, a modified sweat gland, so functional, so magical, and yet can take a woman's life.  That is a sad thing.  This very sweat gland is a magic gland that provides nutrition to the newborn when formula is not used and yet it can take away the most precious thing there is, "mother".  It can destroy a life, a family, a community for that very sweat gland, that produces nutrition and life to the newborn, can become cancer, and if not diagnosed early enough, will destroy the host.  The physicians were taught how to improve patient care with increased competence and performance as well as successful patient health outcomes.

The education content was scientifically sound, giving a balanced view of therapeutic opinions.  Confidence was addressed, excellent patient care taught, improving medical knowledge and practice challenges solutions.  There was superior interpersonal and communication skills, unbelievable professionalism and marvelous improved systems based upon practice skills.  All of these helped to improve our thought process, our learning how to be more effective, efficient physicians on a daily basis, thus improving mortality rate so that life for a mother, a wife and family can survive.  All of these were superbly addressed so as to yield improvement in our daily activities of patient care which will affect not just the patient but families as a whole and citizens outreaching into the community.

I would say the 22nd Annual Update in Breast Imaging is definitely leading the way in continuing medical education.  It was invaluable and had us spellbound.  This new technology assists physicians in managing patients so as to yield more efficient skill in enabling patients less stress having their tests done and upon completion given the results to them as well as to their family to assure them full understanding, safety and security for the future.  No longer do they have to wait for weeks saddled with worry.

In summary, it can truthfully be said that this particular update in breast imaging is leading the way in continued medical education to improve the future for patient care, survival, family harmony and preserving for us to continue not to be taken by cancer but to be able to have a diagnosis early enough and safe enough to provide continued life, health and to preserve their place in family interaction and family competence. Attendance for the full 4 days ensured innovation in care at the crossroads of compassionate care and clinical intervention, also inspired research determining the future of women's health through scientific advancement and exceptional education continuing tradition of leadership excellence through recruitment, training and fellowship.

Have you ever been to a meeting and you didn't want to leave? Have you ever been to a professional meeting and yet learning was so dynamic, so interestingly presented that you felt that progress has been made overnight? Have you ever been to a meeting of this magnitude and didn't want to leave? Yes, that's the case. This was that kind of meeting.