According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), a high-quality mammography is the most reliable test to detect breast cancer. However, the American Cancer Society recommends a combination of mammography and MRI in high risk women.
Mammography
Mammography is low-dose X-ray imaging. Mammography can pick up some breast abnormalities, such as microcalcifications, that MRI and ultrasound cannot.
MRI
MRI machines take highly detailed images of breast tissue without using radiation. MRIs are used to further assess abnormalities found during mammography and can provide better views of the dense breast tissue common in younger women.
Combination Detection
The American Cancer Society recommends high risk women get an MRI when they undergo their yearly mammograms. Because MRIs are more sensitive than mammograms, they may be able to pick up a malignancy at an earlier stage of development.
Considerations
According to NCI, false-positive readings can be a problem with MRIs. The machines can't always tell the difference between a benign and a cancerous growth.
Cautions
The Susan G. Komen Foundation reports that women who carry one of the breast cancer genes may be at an increased risk of developing breast cancer form ionizing radiation--the same radiation emitted during a mammogram.
Tags: American Cancer, American Cancer Society, breast cancer, breast tissue, Cancer Society
