Press Release Details

Study Confirms Mammogram Importance for Breast Cancer Detection

May 4, 2001

Brush Wellman unit supplies essential window for mammography

Cleveland, Ohio (May 4, 2001)-A recent study published in the journal Cancer has found that women who have regular mammograms reduce their risk of death from breast cancer by more than 60 percent. The findings are especially important considering that in 2001, the American Cancer Society estimates 192,200 new cases of breast cancer in the U.S.

"From a public health standpoint, the existing evidence clearly points to the value of high quality, population-based breast carcinoma screening programs,"* the study concludes.

The findings are especially welcomed by Electrofusion Products, Fremont, Calif., which makes mammography's beryllium x-ray window that provides an accurate picture of potentially life-threatening growths. Electrofusion Products is a business unit of Brush Wellman Inc.

Beryllium x-ray windows are just 0.030 inches thick, one inch in diameter, and are inserted into mammography x-ray tubes for clear transmission. The windows, actually opaque-high-purity beryllium metal discs, are essential for clear transmission of x-rays for mammography.

"They must be of the highest quality since an accurate diagnosis is contingent

upon the clearest transmission of x-rays for mammography," said Christopher Dorn, director of Electrofusion Products.

Dorn said the study confirms the value of mammograms and their importance to the early detection of breast cancer. "We are proud to provide the components that can help save lives," Dorn said. Electrofusion Products produces approximately 6,000 beryllium mammography windows each year.

Brush Wellman Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Brush Engineered Materials Inc (NYSE-BW) headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio. Brush Engineered Materials Inc., through its wholly owned subsidiaries, supplies worldwide markets with Beryllium Products, Alloy Products, Electronic Products, Precious Metal Products and Engineered Materials Systems.