Happy Women's History Month from Koning Health!

This month, we celebrate those who paved the way for advancements in women's health. Progress in this field is worthy of special celebration as it has historically been hindered by funding disparities, limited representation in clinical trials, and lack of education and awareness among healthcare professionals. 

In honor of March, we're shining a timeline of some of the most significant milestones in breast health.

1882: First recorded mastectomy

Dr. William Stewart Halsted performed the first modern mastectomy at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1882. This is widely considered the first modern mastectomy, as it marked the beginning of a standardized surgical approach to breast cancer treatment. 

Halsted was a prominent surgeon and one of the "Big Four" founding physicians of Johns Hopkins Hospital. The Halsted radical mastectomy became the standard surgical treatment for breast cancer for many decades. 

1971: First mammography unit

Dr. Robert Egan introduced the first mammography unit in 1971, revolutionizing breast cancer detection and diagnosis. This technology provided a significant improvement over earlier X-ray imaging techniques. 

1990: BRCA1 gene discovery

In the 1980s, researchers were aware of the existence of familial breast cancer, where multiple family members were affected by the disease. However, the genetic basis of this phenomenon was not yet understood.

In 1990, a team of researchers led by Dr. Mary-Claire King at the University of California, Berkeley, identified the BRCA1 gene as a major contributor to familial breast cancer. 

2006: Dense breast tissue recognition

2006 was a significant year in density awareness as it marked a turning point in the understanding and recognition of breast density as a risk factor for breast cancer. Important publications included a landmark study published in the New England Journal of Medicine that found women with dense breasts to be at a significantly higher risk of developing breast cancer. The state of Connecticut also became the first to enact a breast density notification law.

Events in 2006 sparked a wave of media attention, raising public awareness about breast density and its importance in breast cancer risk assessment and detection, increasing awareness as well as research.

2013: Koning Vera Breast CT 

Koning Health introduced the Koning Vera Breast CT, our groundbreaking, low-dose radiation breast imaging technology designed to optimize early disease detection, diagnostic intervention and treatment to improve survival rates for millions of patients. We are committed to continuing this legacy of innovation and care to provide accessible, high-quality breast health services for all women. 

Join us in celebrating Women's History Month and the remarkable advancements in breast health! 

Learn more about our technology here.