About 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer at some point during their lifetime, making breast health and cancer prevention topics of crucial importance for women of all ages, especially those who are over the age of 50 or at heightened risk of developing breast cancer. Over the past few decades huge advancements have been made in women’s imaging, and today there are more options than ever when it comes to the types of breast cancer screening procedures available to patients. The trickiest part is understanding your screening options and determining which procedure is best for you!
There are several types of procedures used for breast cancer screening, each with different benefits and different scenarios in which they might be used. Here’s an overview on three of the most common ones: mammogram, breast ultrasound, and breast MRI.
What Is A Mammogram?
Most women over the age of 40 are familiar with a mammogram. It’s where a technician puts each breast between these heavy plates, which then take an x-ray of the breast tissue for evaluation. It’s not super comfortable but doesn’t generally hurt, and it’s pretty quick, then you’re done for another year.
Mammograms are typically very safe, exposing the breast tissue to only slight doses of radiation. They are used most often for low-medium risk patients and usually performed once a year. With high-risk patients or those with dense breast tissue, a mammogram may be combined with an ultrasound or MRI.
What Is A Breast Ultrasound?
If you have had a baby, you are well aware of what an ultrasound is. The technician smooths a wand over the area, and the machine uses sound waves to project an image on the screen. For breast health, physicians may use an ultrasound to look for any abnormalities. The test is non-invasive, without any pain or discomfort. Typically, doctors use ultrasound as a follow-up if something appears in the mammogram, MRI, or breast exam.
A breast ultrasound is not the best stand-alone option for cancer screening because it is prone to false positives and false negatives. However, it can be a quick, non-invasive follow-up tool to use after a mammogram or MRI shows something of concern, especially in patients with dense breast tissue.
What Is A Breast MRI?
An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) creates a magnetic field, which then formulates an image of the breast. Before an MRI, the technician will inject you with a substance called gadolinium. Talk to your doctor about the risks of this procedure before choosing an MRI. Although there can be more false positives (cancer where there is no cancer), an MRI can detect almost twice as many cancer cases as a mammogram alone.
If you have a strong family history of breast cancer or dense breast tissue, an MRI is much more effective in detecting cancer early, giving you the best possible option for recovery. Experts do not recommend the use of an MRI for patients with a low-average risk of breast cancer. MRIs may also be used during and after cancer treatment.
The great news is that patients have choices when it comes to their breast cancer screening, the only thing they need to do is sit down with their doctor to determine which breast cancer screening procedure makes the most sense for them based on their family history and their unique situation. Whether you end up needing a traditional mammogram, a breast MRI, a breast ultrasound, or a combination of the aforementioned procedures, our women’s imaging specialists are here for you! Schedule your appointment at a BICRAD location near you.