The Importance of Early Detection: Breast Imaging’s Role
Dr. Stacy Smithfoley, a diagnostic radiologist with over 17 years of experience, is making valuable contributions to her home state as the founding physician and breast imaging specialist at The Breast Center at CARTI.
As a not-for-profit provider, CARTI offers comprehensive cancer care with a full spectrum of treatment services, including everything from screening and diagnosis to surgical treatment and medical oncology.
Smith-foley was the first person born in what is now known as Hot Springs Village.
Her passion for caregiving emerged at an early age, driven by her deep commitment to providing care to women.
“I wanted to be challenged and take care of women,” she said. “I wanted to be focused on a specific field that I could become an expert in, and I found that breast radiology allowed me to do that.”
Smith-foley earned her undergraduate degree in biology at the University of Central Arkansas. She then attended medical school at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, followed by a diagnostic radiology residency at the
University of Tennessee Memorial Medical Center in Knoxville.
She further honed her skills through a fellowship in breast imaging at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle before returning to Arkansas.
In her daily work at The Breast Center’s locations in Little Rock and Russellville, Smithfoley performs various tasks, including reading screening mammograms, consulting with diagnostic patients, interpreting MRIS, performing biopsies, and following up with patients. CARTI also maintains relationships with high-risk patients, ensuring they receive the necessary screening tests.
According to Smithfoley, one in eight women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, and only about 15 percent have a family history of the disease. Therefore, it’s important for all women to have a risk assessment conversation with their doctor before turning 25, as early identification of potential risks is crucial.
“One of the reasons we are encouraging women to have this risk assessment by age 25 is because women of color are more likely to die of breast cancer if they develop it. They are more likely to develop breast cancer
at a younger age, more likely to develop a more aggressive cancer and more likely to carry a genetic mutation,” she said.
While it’s impossible to prevent breast cancer from developing, there are certain things women can do to reduce their risk.
Dr. Smith-foley recommends
regular selfchecks and a healthy lifestyle, such as staying physically active, not smoking and reducing alcohol consumption.
“The greatest risk factors are aging and being female,” said Smith-foley,
Smith-foley recommends that women
commence their regular screening mammograms around the age of 40, even if they don’t have a family history of breast cancer.
“Overall, Arkansas is not doing that great of a job,” said Smithfoley. “Only about 64% of women in Arkansas who should be getting a mammogram get one every other year, not even every year. Our cancer mortality rates are higher than those of surrounding states. So, we have that opportunity to do more with screening and early detection.”
Despite challenges in getting individuals to come in for screenings, significant progress has been made in finding breast cancer earlier. Smith-foley praised advancements in breast imaging, such as 3-D mammography, ultrasound, high-risk surveillance with MRI and genetic testing, which have improved cancer detection while reducing false positives.
“Early detection has improved, but so have surgery techniques,” said Smith-foley.
Surgeons are capable of being more mindful about tumor removal as well as reconstruction. Improvements have also been made in the field of radiation. Now it can be more personalized and targeted for a patient’s needs.
These improvements allow for a much more personalized care plan. CARTI’S 18 treatment locations across Arkansas offer care and support for patients during every step of the process. Breast imaging services are available at CARTI’S locations in Little Rock, North Little Rock, Pine Bluff, and Russellville.