There is a new screening method to replace Mammogram. What is it.
2006-10-17 12:56:43 · 6 answers · asked by twoyoutoo 1 in Health ➔ Women's Health
I'm an RN and there are several things to replace a mammogram. If the breast tissue is dense then it is difficult for a breast cancer to be identified by a radiologist from a mammogram. Although it is not that commonly ordered by physicians some doctors order Breast Thermography or infrared imaging which works by identifying and measuring changes in heat in the body and translates it into images. Thermography can detect slight variations in temperature, finding breast cancers and pre-cancerous tissues long before they can be detected through mammography. It does this without compressing the breasts, without radiation, and without any other risks. If thermography is performed with good quality equipment, using strict protocols, and is read by board-certified doctors with experience in breast imaging, the results are excellent. However, thermography is excellent in finding precancerous conditions, but it isn't as accurate in locating some of the slow-growing tumors or those few tumors that don't have increased blood vessel activity. It also can't tell doctors exactly where the problem is located. In addition, some doctors order ultrasound procedures to determine whether a very small lump is a fluid filled cyst or is a solid tumor. Of course the only way of determining whether a tumor is cancerous or not is by a biopsy. I hope that this information will be helpful. Good luck to you.
2006-10-17 13:26:37 · answer #1 · answered by marnie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am an x-ray tech, so I may be able to offer a little help. There is CT scanning but that carries a lot of radiation with it. I know, I do CT's for a living. Ultrasound is an inexpensive alternative but not super diagnostic. Now they have MRI coils for breast imaging. You may have trouble getting your insurance to pay for this without a positive mammogram. MR is very expensive but very diagnostic. Usually for insurance purposes, you have to have a mammogram before any of these other tests or they will not pay.
2006-10-17 21:12:59 · answer #2 · answered by denpita 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ths may not be the exact answer as to new..but a CT scan of the chest can detect not just abnormalities in the lungs and upper body but also nodules or irregularities in both breasts..it's low dosage and not as painful.
2006-10-17 20:02:13 · answer #3 · answered by nan 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your best and safest bet is to stick with what you know. There is nothing that can beat that darn machine. If there is, I'd try the new one and the old one, just to be safe.
2006-10-17 20:03:23 · answer #4 · answered by mkay_gonzalez 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The fondle-o-gram.
2006-10-17 19:58:46 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Far as I know, ultrasound. What have you heard?
2006-10-17 20:32:00 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋