Rachel Brem: Difference between revisions

'''Rachel F. Brem''', MD, FACR, FSBI, is an American [[radiologist|diagnostic radiologist]], professor of radiology at the George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences, and director of the Breast Imaging and Interventional Center at George Washington University’s Cancer Center. She previously served as director of [[Breast imaging|Breast Imaging]] at [[Johns Hopkins Hospital|Johns Hopkins]].<ref name="GW">{{cite web |title=Rachel Brem, MD |url=https://gwdocs.com/profile/rachel-brem |website=GW Medical Faculty Associates |access-date=May 5 May, 2024 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="SPM">{{cite web |title=Dr Rachel Brem |url=https://screenpoint-medical.com/management-staff/dr-rachel-brem/ |website=Screen Point Medical |access-date=5 May 5, 2024}}</ref> Brem develops novel technologies to better support early [[Breast cancer screening|diagnosis]] and [[Breast cancer management|treatment]] of [[breast cancer]].<ref name="Chabad"/> She is a fellow of the [[American College of Radiology]] and the [[Society of Breast Imaging]].<ref name="Alliance"/>

Rachel Frydman was born to Mechel Frydman and Lea Fishman, of [[Glen Rock, New Jersey]].<ref name="engagement">{{cite news |title=Henry Brem Fiance Of Rachel Frydman |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1977/03/20/archives/henry-brem-fiance-of-rachel-frydman.html |work=The New York Times |date=20 March 20, 1977}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mechel Frydman Obituary (2015) - Pikesville, MD - Concord Monitor |url=https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/concordmonitor/name/mechel-frydman-obituary?id=18154360 |access-date=May 6, 2024-05-06 |website=Legacy.com}}</ref> From a young age, Rachel wanted to be a doctor, a decision that was reinforced when her mother, Lea Frydman, was diagnosed with breast cancer when Brem was 12 years old. Despite being given only six months to live, Lea went on to survive breast and ovarian cancer and live for another 44 years.<ref name="Bergel"/>

Rachel Brem received a B.A. from [[Brandeis University]] in 1979. She then went to [[Columbia University]]'s medical school, graduating with honors in 1984.<ref name="dates">{{cite web |title=Rachel Brem, MD |url=https://cancercenter.gwu.edu/profile/rachel-brem |website=GW Cancer Center |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Alliance">{{cite news |title=We are proud to welcome two new members of our medical advisory board: Dr. Rachel Brem and Dr. Eleni Tousimis |url=https://breastcanceralliance.org/ckfinder/connector?command=Proxy&type=Files&currentFolder=%2F&fileName=BCA_Outlook_Fall_2018+(002)(1).pdf&cache=31536000 |access-date=5 May 5, 2024 |work=Outlook|page=4| volume= 24 |issue= 2 |publisher=Breast Cancer Alliance |date=2018}}</ref> Brem completed an internship in internal medicine at [[Sinai Hospital of Baltimore]]<ref name="Breathe">{{cite news |title=Breathe BioMedical announces new Executive Director |url=https://www.canadianmanufacturing.com/manufacturing/breathe-biomedical-announces-new-executive-director-296943/ |access-date=5 May 5, 2024 |work=Canadian Manufacturing |date=9 January 9, 2024}}</ref> (1984–1985<ref>{{cite web |title=Dr. Rachel F. Brem MD |url=https://health.usnews.com/doctors/rachel-brem-4997 |website=US News Health}}</ref>), and a residency in diagnostic radiology (1985–1989) and a fellowship in breast imaging (1989–1990) at Johns Hopkins. She holds board certification in [[diagnostic radiology]].<ref name="CC">{{cite web |title=Dr. Rachel F. Brem - Diagnostic Radiology - Washington, DC |url=https://www.castleconnolly.com/top-doctors/rachel-f-brem-diagnostic-radiology-16cc000139 |website=Castle Connolly |access-date=May 5 May, 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

In the mid-1990s, researchers discovered that [[Ashkenazi Jewish]] families were at higher risk for breast cancer due to the [[BRCA mutation]]. In 1996, after a maternal aunt had also been diagnosed with breast cancer, Brem chose to be tested for the gene. It was detected, and she scheduled a [[radical mastectomy]] on the basis of her genetic results. Ironically, she subsequently detected the presence of an existing tumor in her breast while testing [[Breast ultrasound|ultrasound equipment]] for her hospital.<ref name="Bergel">{{cite news |last1=Bergel |first1=Tori |title=The Washington doctors helping women navigate breast cancer |url=https://jewishinsider.com/2023/06/dr-rachel-brem-dr-christy-teal-breast-cancer-no-longer-radical/ |access-date=5 May 5, 2024 |work=Jewish Insider |date=7 June 7, 2023 |quote="In a twist of fate, Brem discovered her own breast cancer while testing new ultrasound equipment at the hospital."}}</ref><ref name="Teal">{{cite book |last1=Brem |first1=Rachel |last2=Teal |first2=Christy |title=No Longer Radical: Understanding Mastectomies and Choosing the Breast Cancer Care That's Right For You |date=16 May 16, 2023 |publisher=Simon and Schuster |isbn=978-1-6680-0115-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7UyUEAAAQBAJ&q=Newsweek:+2015+rachel+brem |language=en}}</ref> Brem strongly recommends early testing for women who are of Ashkenazi Jewish descent or who have a family history of breast cancer.<ref name="Bergel"/>

After completing her training, Brem joined the faculty at Johns Hopkins, where she became the Director of Breast Imaging.<ref name="SPM"/> Between 1991 and 1999 she introduced the use of image-guided techniques for minimally invasive surgery at Johns Hopkins.<ref name="SEC">{{cite web |title=Definitive Proxy Statement |url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/749660/000095012310048433/c00863def14a.htm |website=www.sec.gov}}</ref> Throughout her career she has been active in developing new technologies for early, less invasive detection of breast cancer<ref>{{cite news |last1=Radiological Society of North America |title=New Breast Imaging Technology Targets Hard-to-detect Cancers |url=https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081203084308.htm |work=ScienceDaily |date=December 9, 2008 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Orenstein">{{cite news |last1=Orenstein |first1=Beth W. |title=A better option: New technology improves the utility of breast ultrasound |work=Radiology Today |pages=19–21 |issue=January |date=2023}}</ref> particularly in women with dense breast tissue.<ref name="SPM"/><ref name="Moeller"/>

In 2015 she became the Program Leader for Breast Cancer at the GW Cancer Center,<ref name="SPM"/> which is collaboratively operated by the GW Hospital, Medical Faculty Associates, School of Medicine and Health Sciences.<ref>{{cite web |title=We are the GW Cancer Center |url=https://cancercenter.gwu.edu/ |website=GW Cancer Center |access-date=5 May 5, 2024}}</ref> She is currently the Director of Breast Imaging and Intervention at George Washington University Medical Center and a Professor of Radiology at George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences, as well as a Vice Chair of Research and Faculty Development for the Department of Radiology.<ref name="Alliance"/><ref>{{Cite web |date=October 7, 2015-10-07 |title=Director of Breast Imaging and Intervention |url=https://www.gwhospital.com/director-breast-imaging-and-intervention |access-date=May 6, 2024-05-06 |website=George Washington University Hospital |language=en-us}}</ref>

Brem is known for her research, publishing and mentoring of students.<ref name="JWI"/> Brem is a principal investigator for clinical trials which have included approaches to [[molecular breast imaging]] and detection of breast cancer. Brem is active in developing new technologies to decrease difficulty and cost and improve effectiveness of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.<ref name="JWI"/><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |last2= |date=2012-12-December 15, 2012 |title=Molecular Breast Imaging an Option for Early Detection in High-risk Women |url=https://ascopost.com/issues/december-15-2012/molecular-breast-imaging-an-option-for-early-detection-in-high-risk-women/ |access-date=May 6, 2024-05-06 |website=ascopost.com |language=en}}</ref> Approaches she is investigating include breast-specific gamma imaging (BSGI<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=De Feo |first1=Maria Silvia |last2=Sidrak |first2=Marko Magdi Abdou |last3=Conte |first3=Miriam |last4=Frantellizzi |first4=Viviana |last5=Marongiu |first5=Andrea |last6=De Cristofaro |first6=Flaminia |last7=Nuvoli |first7=Susanna |last8=Spanu |first8=Angela |last9=De Vincentis |first9=Giuseppe |date=2022-09-September 23, 2022 |title=Breast-Specific Gamma Imaging: An Added Value in the Diagnosis of Breast Cancer, a Systematic Review |journal=Cancers |volume=14 |issue=19 |pages=4619 |doi=10.3390/cancers14194619 |doi-access=free |issn=2072-6694 |pmc=9559460 |pmid=36230540}}</ref>), ultrasound tomography,<ref>{{cite news |title=Ultrasound Tomography May Improve Breast Cancer Risk Assessment |url=https://www.medimaging.net/ultrasound/articles/294781292/ultrasound-tomography-may-improve-breast-cancer-risk-assessment.html |work=MedImaging.net |date=25 March 25, 2020}}</ref> the use of artificial intelligence to increase accuracy of cancer detection,<ref name="Moeller">{{cite news |last1=Moeller |first1=Amy |title=How Artificial Intelligence Is Improving Cancer Screening |url=https://www.washingtonian.com/2023/09/27/how-artificial-intelligence-is-improving-cancer-screening/ |work=Washingtonian |date=27 September 27, 2023}}</ref> and the development of a non-invasive breath test for breast cancer detection.<ref name="Breathe"/><ref name="SPM"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Breast Cancer Diagnosis |url=https://www.gwhospital.com/services/breast-center/cancer-diagnosis |website=George Washington University Hospital |language=en-us |date=30 September 30, 2015}}</ref>

Brem has helped to develop two new breast imaging technologies which have been reviewed by the U.S. [[Food and Drug Administration]] (FDA) and approved for clinical use. In 2012, the FDA approved the Automated Breast Ultrasound System (ABUS).<ref name="ABUS">{{cite news |title=FDA Panel Recommends Approval for Automated Breast Ultrasound for Women with Dense Breasts |url=https://www.itnonline.com/content/fda-panel-recommends-approval-automated-breast-ultrasound-women-dense-breasts |work=Imaging Technology News |date=April 12 April, 2012 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Bassett">{{cite news |last1=Bassett |first1=Mike |title=New technologies altering care standards for breast imagers |url=https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/it/new-technologies-altering-care-standards-for-breast-imagers |access-date=6 May 6, 2024 |work=Fierce Healthcare |date=AprApril 8, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=SUMMARY OF SAFETY AND EFFECTIVENESS DATA (SSED) |url=https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf11/P110006b.pdf |website=PMA P110006: FDA Summary of Safety and Effectiveness Data}}</ref><ref name="Bene">{{cite journal |last1=Boca Bene |first1=I |last2=Ciurea |first2=AI |last3=Ciortea |first3=CA |last4=Dudea |first4=SM |title=Pros and Cons for Automated Breast Ultrasound (ABUS): A Narrative Review. |journal=Journal of Personalized Medicine |date=23 July 23, 2021 |volume=11 |issue=8 |page=703 |doi=10.3390/jpm11080703 |doi-access=free |pmid=34442347 |pmc=8400952 }}</ref> In 2021, the FDA granted premarket approval (PMA) to the SoftVue™ 3D Whole Breast Ultrasound Tomography System as an adjunct to digital mammography.<ref name="Ernst">{{cite news |last1=Ernst |first1=Diana |title=FDA Approves Device to Screen Women With Dense Breasts as Adjunct to Mammography |url=https://www.empr.com/home/news/fda-approves-device-to-screen-women-with-dense-breasts-as-adjunct-to-mammography/ |access-date=6 May 6, 2024 |work=Medical Professionals Reference |date=12 October 12, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Delphinus Receives FDA Approval for its SoftVue 3D Whole Breast Ultrasound Tomography System |url=https://www.delphinusmt.com/news/recent-news/delphinus-receives-fda-approval-for-its-softvue-3d-whole-breast-ultrasound-tomography-system |access-date=May 6, 2024-05-06 |website=www.delphinusmt.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Delphinus Medical Technologies, Inc. SoftVue™ 3D Whole Breast Ultrasound Tomography System (SoftVue™) |url=https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf20/P200040C.pdf |website=FDA.gov}}</ref> Both are particularly suited to the detection of breast cancer in women with dense breasts.<ref name="ABUS"/><ref name="Ernst"/>

Brem has directed the Mobile Mammography program at George Washington University.<ref name="Alliance" /><ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> The Mammovan initiative was organized in 1995,<ref name="Lynn">{{cite news |last1=Lynn |first1=Jean M. |last2=Segal |first2=Holly |date=2004 |title=A Model Breast Care Center at George Washington University Medical Center |url=https://www.accc-cancer.org/docs/documents/oncology-issues/supplements/breast-2004/a-model-breast-care-center-at-george-washington-university-medical-center.pdf?sfvrsn=cf3f79a4_0 |work=COMPREHENSIVE BREAST CARE PROGRAMS |issue=May/June}}</ref> before Brem joined GWU.<ref name="GW" /><ref name="SEC" /> By sending out mobile diagnostic units to neighborhoods and businesses, the project makes cancer care more accessible to women in underserved communities.<ref name="Alliance"/><ref name=":0">{{cite news |title=The GW Cancer Center Announces New Mobile Mammography Van in Washington, D.C. |url=https://cancercenter.gwu.edu/news/gw-cancer-center-announces-new-mobile-mammography-van-washington-dc |work=GW Cancer Center |date=October 17 October, 2017 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Kiehl's Since 1851 Embarks On LifeRide For The Mammovan |url=https://engageforgood.com/kiehls-since-1851-embarks-on-liferide-for-the-mammovan/ |access-date=May 5, 2024-05-05 |website=engageforgood.com}}</ref>

In 2004, Brem founded the Brem Foundation to Defeat Breast Cancer, to support research, education and clinical care.<ref name="Alliance" /><ref name="O'Malley">{{cite news |last1=O'Malley |first1=Lisa |title=Brem Foundation Improves Breast Cancer Outcomes for Underrepresented Women |url=https://www.insightintodiversity.com/brem-foundation-improves-breast-cancer-outcomes-for-underrepresented-women/ |work=Insight Into Diversity |date=2 January 2, 2024}}</ref> Through the Brem Foundation, she has worked with [[Lyft]] to create the Lyft on Wheels for Women program, which provides free transportation to and from breast cancer screenings for women in the Washington, D.C., and Maryland areas. The Brem Foundation has also developed an online tool for risk assessment, called CheckMate, to help women assess their personal breast cancer risk given their family's medical history. They can then discuss the assessment and their concerns with their health care providers.<ref name="O'Malley" /><ref name="Amy">{{cite news |last1=Moeller |first1=Amy |title=This New Online Quiz Helps Women Determine Their Breast Cancer Risk - Washingtonian |url=https://www.washingtonian.com/2023/10/30/this-new-online-quiz-helps-women-determine-their-breast-cancer-risk/ |access-date=6 May 6, 2024 |work=Washingtonian |date=30 October 30, 2023}}</ref>

Brem advises legislative policy-makers on the importance of education, awareness, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.<ref name="JWI"/> She advocates for policies to require that women with dense breasts be informed of the possible need for additional types of breast cancer screenings. She recommends that medical plans should cover breast cancer screening methods such as [[Magnetic resonance imaging|MRI]]s and ultrasounds, not just [[Mammography|mammograms]].<ref name="Ovalle">{{cite news |last1=Ovalle |first1=David |title=FDA sets national mammogram standards to protect women with dense breasts |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2023/03/09/mammogram-standards-dense-breasts/ |newspaper=Washington Post |date=9 March 9, 2023}}</ref> She has supported legislation such as the bipartisan ''Find it Early Act''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 8, 2023-05-08 |title=DeLauro, Fitzpatrick, Katie Couric Reintroduce the Find It Early Act {{!}} Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro |url=http://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-fitzpatrick-katie-couric-reintroduce-find-it-early-act |access-date=May 6, 2024-05-06 |website=delauro.house.gov |language=en}}</ref>

Brem serves on scientific advisory boards for the [[Prevent Cancer Foundation]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Medical Advisory Board |url=https://www.preventcancer.org/about-us/leadership-staff/medical-advisory-board/ |website=Prevent Cancer Foundation}}</ref> [[Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered]] (FORCE), and the [[Dr. Cyrus and Myrtle Katzen Cancer Research Center]].<ref name="Alliance"/> She was appointed to the Board of Delphinus Medical Technologies in 2019.<ref name="Delphinus">{{cite news |title=Delphinus Medical Technologies Appoints Dr. Rachel Brem to Its Board of Directors |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190731005191/en/Delphinus-Medical-Technologies-Appoints-Dr.-Rachel-Brem-to-Its-Board-of-Directors |work=BusinessWire |date=July 31 July, 2019 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Delphinus Medical Technologies Appoints Dr. Rachel Brem to Its Board of Directors |url=https://www.biospace.com/article/delphinus-medical-technologies-appoints-dr-rachel-brem-to-its-board-of-directors-/ |access-date=May 6, 2024-05-06 |website=BioSpace |language=en-US}}</ref> As of 2024, she was appointed to the Board of Directors of Breathe BioMedical (BBM), serving as Executive Director and Chief Medical Officer.<ref name="Breathe"/>

* 1998, Fellow, Society of Breast Imaging<ref name="Alliance"/><ref name="CV">{{cite web |title=Rachel F. Brem, M.D. 1 CURRICULUM VITAE ... - Brem Foundation |url=https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/9680843/rachel-f-brem-md-1-curriculum-vitae-brem-foundation |website=yumpu.com |access-date=May 12 May, 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

* 2002, Ten Women to Watch, [[Jewish Women International]]<ref name="JWI">{{cite web |title=Previous Women to Watch |url=https://www.jwi.org/previous-women-to-watch |website=Jewish Women International |access-date=5 May 5, 2024}}</ref>

* {{cite book |last1=Brem |first1=Rachel |last2=Teal |first2=Christy |title=No Longer Radical: Understanding Mastectomies and Choosing the Breast Cancer Care That's Right For You |date=16 May 16, 2023 |publisher=Simon and Schuster |isbn=978-1-6680-0115-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7UyUEAAAQBAJ&q=Newsweek:+2015+rachel+brem |language=en}}

* {{cite journal |last1=Zafar |first1=Nadia |last2=Wolf |first2=Andrea B |last3=Kepniss |first3=Julia L |last4=Teal |first4=Ashley C |last5=Brem |first5=Rachel F |title=Effectiveness of Community Education for Breast Cancer Screening |journal=Journal of Breast Imaging |date=1 April 1, 2024 |volume=6 |issue=2 |pages=166–174 |doi=10.1093/jbi/wbae002|pmid=38412358 }}

* {{cite journal |last1=Katzen |first1=Janine T |last2=Grimm |first2=Lars J |last3=Brem |first3=Rachel F |title=The American College of Radiology/Society of Breast Imaging Updated Fellowship Training Curriculum for Breast Imaging |journal=Journal of Breast Imaging |date=7 January 7, 2021 |volume=3 |issue=4 |pages=498–501 |doi=10.1093/jbi/wbaa112 |pmid=38424786 |url=https://doi.org/10.1093/jbi/wbaa112 |issn=2631-6110}}

* {{cite journal |last1=Thigpen |first1=Denise |last2=Kappler |first2=Amanda |last3=Brem |first3=Rachel |title=The Role of Ultrasound in Screening Dense Breasts—A Review of the Literature and Practical Solutions for Implementation |journal=Diagnostics |date=16 March 16, 2018 |volume=8 |issue=1 |pages=20 |doi=10.3390/diagnostics8010020 |doi-access=free |pmid=29547532 |pmc=5872003 }}