The use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) for breast cancer diagnosis is quickly becoming an important method. The American Cancer Society recommends women at high risk of developing breast cancer (greater than 20 percent lifetime risk) should get an MRI to complement their mammogram every year. Those with a moderately increased risk (15-20 percent lifetime risk) should discuss the benefits of having an MRI along with a mammogram.

According to a new study by The American College of Radiology Imaging Network, “MRI scans of women who were diagnosed with cancer in one breast detected over 90 percent of cancers in the other breast that were missed by mammography and clinical breast exam at initial diagnosis.” The study shows that adding an MRI scan to the diagnostic evaluation effectively doubled the number of cancers immediately found in these women.

“One in ten women diagnosed with cancer in one breast will develop the disease in the opposite breast,” Director of the National Institutes of Health, Elias Zerhouni, M.D., said. “Having a better technique to find these cancers as early as possible will increase the chances of successful treatment.”

The ability to detect contralateral cancers (the occurrence of cancer in the opposite breast) through breast MRI can potentially lead to greater long-term savings, since more women will know whether or not they will need additional chemotherapy or breast surgeries. While no imaging tool is 100% perfect, a negative MRI reading could prevent many women from engaging in unnecessary treatments or mastectomies.

Click here to read more about the 3T MRI technology available at North Fulton Regional Hospital.

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For more information, or to schedule your annual screening mammogram without a doctor’s order, please call the Roswell Imaging Center at North Fulton Regional Hospital at 770-751-2900.