Adding MRI or Ultrasound to Mammograms may help discover more cancers

Women with an increased risk of breast cancer AND dense breasts may benefit from adding ultrasounds or MRIs to their annual mammogram screenings.

Researchers from 21 institutions affiliated with the American College of Radiology Imaging Network (ACRIN) found that ultrasounds and MRIs found additional cancers not seen by mammography alone.  The study concluded that supplemental ultrasounds increased cancer detection by an average of 4.3 cancers per 1,000 women per year while MRI further increased cancer detection by an average of 14.7 cancers per 1,000 women per year.

Why doesn’t mammography find these cancers?  One of the lead researchers said that looking for a cancer in a woman with dense breasts via mammography is “like looking for a polar bear in a snowstorm”.  Dense breast tissue looks very white on mammography – and so does cancer.

So who exactly should get supplemental MRI and/or ultrasound?  Women who have dense breasts and more than one risk factor for breast cancer.  Risk factors include a having a known or suspected breast cancer gene mutation, prior radiation therapy to the chest area, prominent family history of breast cancer, prior atypical biopsy and extremely dense breasts.  Its best to review your history and risk factors with your doctor.

To learn more about whether a breast MRI or screening ultrasound is right for you, talk to your doctor or call us for more information any time at 604-709-8522.  Or visit us on the web.

Pre-Op Breast MRI reduces repeat surgery

A Study presented by Yale School of Medicine Professor Liane Philpotts,  shows that patients with newly diagnosed breast cancers have fewer repeat surgeries when they have an MRI first.   http://rsna2011.rsna.org/search/event_display.cfm?printmode=n&em_id=11005598

The results were most dramatic in patients who have dense breast tissue (dense tissue is more challenging to evaluate on mammogram and ultrasound). 

When a lumpectomy is performed, if there are any cancerous cells remaining around the excision area, a second surgery is required to remove more tissue to ensure “clear margins”.  Breast MRI has been shown to show the size and shape of a cancerous lesion better than mammography or ultrasound, thus helping the surgeons be more accurate in the removal of the tumour and reducing the need for a second surgery.

Pre-op breast MRIs also show the extent of the disease better than mammography or ultrasound, and is often able to detect additional cancers in the same breast or other breast.  This information is very important in helping the patient and her medical team decide the best course of treatment.

Breast MRI is a useful tool for cancer staging and is not a substitute for screening mammography.  Patients who are breast cancer gene carriers and therefore are at high risker risk for developing breast cancer, may be candidates for MRI screening, but should also be screened annually with mammography.

For more information on Breast MRI at Canada Diagnostic Centres, click here, or call us at 1-877-709-8522.