Breast cancer still remains the top cause of death among female cancer patients. However, it's also one that can be effectively managed and treated provided that the woman goes through a mammogram. But here's the thing: it's not always effective.
A mammogram is one of the most popular breast cancer screening tests. In fact, it's considered mandatory for women especially those who are considered high risk because of the cancer-causing genes they carry or of their age. Women who are already in their menopausal stage or at least 50 years old are also deemed high risk.
This screening exam is used to detect the presence of tumor. It doesn't immediately say you have cancer, but if there's a tumor, then the doctor can request for a biopsy to determine if it's benign or malignant.
Despite the advances of mammography, it still doesn't detect breast cancer all the time. A possible reason is the dense breast tissue. The build-up of excessive fatty tissue normally appears white during the exam, obscuring the appearance of the tumor.
Thus, Mayo Clinic suggests molecular breast imaging. Also known as MBI, it's a type of breast screening tool that uses gamma cameras to create a more comprehensive image of the breast. The woman is injected with a radiotracer, which then "attracts" the tumor and making it more prominent during the imaging process. When it comes to its effectiveness, it is more than 350% more accurate and extensive than a regular mammogram. Thus, this is great for detecting invasive cancers, or those that are more severe than in situ. The cancer has already grown deep or perhaps even spread to other nearby places such as underneath the armpits.
In a recent study conducted by the clinic where more than 1,500 women participated, about 21 of them were confirmed to have breast cancer. However, 19 of them were diagnosed using BMI and mammography.