DenseBreast-info.org Launches European Expansion

October 9, 2018 — DenseBreast-info.org (DB-I) announced the launch of its international expansion for European medical providers. The European expansion of the comprehensive, medically-sourced website for breast density information features an interactive map displaying screening guidelines for selected countries, as well as extensive educational content for healthcare professionals.

Commenting on the expansion, Wendie Berg, M.D., Ph.D., professor of radiology at University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC, and DB-I’s chief scientific advisor, noted, “We are delighted to have the opportunity to provide a rich source of information applicable to Europe. We look forward to continually expanding the country-specific content available on the site and helping to educate medical professionals on the very important issues surrounding breast density.”

Content featured on the site includes: 

• Dense Breast Primer;
• Interactive map with screening guidelines by country;
• Comprehensive list of FAQs;
• Illustrated explanation of screening technologies; and
• CME/CE opportunity, "Breast Density: Why It Matters".

Athina Vourtsis, M.D., Ph.D., director and founder of Diagnostic Mammography Center in Athens, Greece, and Cheryl Cruwys, a career educator in the United Kingdom, assisted in the effort to develop European-specific content for the website expansion. Country-specific content was provided by a coalition of professors and physicians including:

• Prof. Michael Fuchsjäger, Austria;
• Prof. Boris Brkljačić, Croatia;
• Dr. Chrysa Tziakouri-Shiakalli, Cyprus;
• Dr. Foucauld Chamming's and Prof. Isabelle Thomassin-Naggara, France;
• Prof. Christiane Kuhl and Prof. Alexander Mundinger, Germany;
• Dr. Adriana Bonifacino and Prof. Enzo Durante, Italy;
• Prof. Dragana Djilas, Serbia;
• Dr. Francisca Gras Canals, Spain; and
• Dr. Anmol Malhotra and Dr. Nick Perry, United Kingdom.

Breast cancer remains the most common cancer among European women, and about 40 percent of both American and European women have dense breasts. There is a growing, worldwide recognition of the need for consideration of additional screening after mammography in women with dense breasts. This topic is explored in detail in a recent article published in European Radiology, “Breast Density Implications and Supplemental Screening.” Authored by Vourtsis and Berg, the article explores the complexities involved in breast cancer screening for women with dense breasts. A link to the publication is available on the DB-I Europe homepage.

According to Vourtsis, “There is growing need in Europe for educational information about dense tissue. As the most comprehensive and up-to-date resource on the topic, DenseBreast-info.org was the optimal site to develop and house European-specific content. I am delighted that health professionals in Europe now have this medically-sourced resource available.”

The European website expansion is supported by unrestricted educational grants from GE Healthcare, Hologic, Siemens Healthineers and Volpara Solutions.

For more information: www.eu.densebreast-info.org