Breast Cancer Radiologist Releases Song Encouraging Breast Screening
Breast cancer affects 1 in 8 women in the United States, with more than 40,000 lives lost to the disease every year. But beyond the staggering numbers, breast cancer is deeply personal — it’s about lives interrupted, dreams put on hold and families affected. It’s what breast radiologist Dana Ataya, MD, hopes to capture in a new original song “End the Confusion.”
‘40 Then, 40 Now’
Ataya, part of the Diagnostic Imaging and Interventional Radiology Department at Moffitt Cancer Center, has a vested interest in educating women about their breast cancer risk. As a breast radiologist, she is the physician who detects the disease on mammograms, ultrasounds and MRIs, as well as performs image-guided biopsies.
Ataya is also the lead singer of Moffitt’s house band, The ReMissions. She wants to use her singing and songwriting skills to help women be more vigilant about screening.
“I’ve wanted to write a song about breast cancer screening for years,” Ataya said. She had a melody in her head and a seed of an idea. This past year, that seed was watered by the Society of Breast Imaging’s “End the Confusion” campaign and a short phrase coined by the society’s leader, Dr. Peter Eby: “40 then, 40 now.” That combination helped the idea grow into a powerful and informative song.
Dana Ataya, MD, recruited co-workers, patient advisors and volunteers to film her music video.
“The inspiration for this song was to offer clarity and end the confusion about breast cancer screening. Average risk women should begin annual screening with mammography beginning at age 40 and continue as long as they are in good health,” Ataya said.
When it comes to breast cancer, early detection can be the difference between life and death.
The song’s lyrics serve as a constant reminder: Don’t wait. If you’re at average risk, start screening at 40, and stay on top of it every year. The chorus brings it home: “40 then, 40 now, yearly then, yearly now.”
‘End the Confusion’
Ataya recruited co-workers, patient advisors and volunteers to join her for the filming of her music video. The visuals highlight the interconnectedness of our lives.
At the heart of the song is the idea that breast cancer screening is not just about you — it’s about the people you love. “I screen for my son, I screen for my brother,” the lyrics repeat, reminding us that our health decisions have a ripple effect.
At the heart of the song is the idea that breast cancer screening is about all the people you love.
“Something that really helps me be an advocate for my own health is remembering all the reasons why I take care of myself. And it’s really so that I can be there for the people that I love, for the people who rely on me,” Ataya said.
“End the Confusion” is a song that transforms a complex topic into something simple, approachable and memorable. Breast cancer screening becomes an educational message of inspiration and empowerment. The song isn’t just about raising awareness — it’s about taking action.
If we can make screening feel less confusing and more accessible, we can save lives, Ataya says. And that’s the ultimate goal of her new song.
You can find and share the band and acoustic versions of the song on most music platforms.
