MRI Finds Breast Cancer Mammograms May Miss

Posted by North Texas Cancer Center at Wise on March 26th, 2016

Early detection of breast cancer is critical for opening the door on appropriate, potentially life-saving treatment. Mammograms serve as an important tool on the diagnostic front, but they may not offer the full insights doctors need to properly gauge full cancer presence and the severity of lesions. Research is finding that MRIs may prove superior on this front.

Magnetic resonance imaging offers a more in-depth look inside breast tissue than a standard mammogram. It is especially useful in helping detect lesions in dense breast tissues. A recent study, in fact, showed that MRIs were able to detect additional, potentially more lesions than an initial mammogram in a number of patients. The frequency of further detection was significant, showing that MRIs might be important in creating a clearer picture if breast cancer is suspected.

An estimated 250,000 American women are diagnosed with invasive breast cancer each year. Understanding the severity of the disease and the extent of lesion presence is important for ensuring proper treatment protocols. When doctors have a full understanding of the cancer, they are better able to prescribe a course of treatment that may prove successful in combating the disease and preventing the potential for recurrence.

All women are technically at risk for breast cancer. Early screening involving the use of mammograms on a regular basis generally starts around the age of 40. Women at higher risk for the disease may find mammograms are recommended on a routine basis at an earlier age. In addition to mammograms, women of any age can help detect breast cancer by performing self-examinations and going in for routine annual checkups. If breast cancer is detected, there are a number of treatments available that can help women overcome the disease. Women who are concerned about breast cancer are urged to speak with their healthcare providers about their personal risks.

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North Texas Cancer Center at Wise, a division of Choice Cancer Care, is now operating as the Cancer Center at Wise Regional and is one of the most renowned cancer treatment centers in Texas.