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Advantages of a Breast MRI
With recent technological
advances and scientific developments, women are now given several
options with which they can check possible cancerous growths in
their bodies, especially their breasts. Aside from the traditional
self examination, clinical breast examinations and the mammograms,
recent developments have shown that the breast MRI or the Magnetic
Resonance Imaging of the breast can also be helpful in the detection
of abnormalities in the breast. An advancement that is welcomed by
women worldwide seeking to find ways to detect breast cancer early.
Breast MRI captures
several cross-sectional pictures of your breast. Every examination
is able to produce hundreds of images of your breast. These images
are taken from various directions and angles from side to side,
front to the back as well as from top to bottom in various
densities. The 2-D and 3-D pictures of the MRI can be produced by
combining the various images that have been taken in a computer.
These images are then read and interpreted by the radiologist who
will determine if there are tumors or mass that are growing inside
our breasts.
While the MRI has been
found to be effective in detecting blood flows into lump growths and
other abnormalities, medical professionals are quick to advise that
these MRI examinations are no replacements for the mammogram and the
ultrasound as well as the fine needle aspiration exam, commonly
known as the biopsy. According to physicians, the MRIs that can be
done are at best, complimentary and can be used side by side in
order to exactly determine how best to treat the abnormal growths in
the breast.
Because of the
non-invasive nature of the procedure, many women are beginning to
prefer having their breasts examined via the MRI. Its usually done
by having the woman lie down on her stomach, while her breasts lie
on a cushion-like magnetic receiver or the breast coil which helps
obtain the necessary images of the breast. The entire examination
can take as much as 40 minutes to an hour. Indeed when compared to
having a mammogram which involves having to flatten the breasts in
order to best detect abnormal tissue in the breast, the breast MRI
is definitely less painful. Moreover, the patient is not exposed to
any radioactivity which makes it safer for a lot of women.
However, many women see
the cost of the MRI as a downside. Unfortunately, one must consider one's savings accounts, even when faced with a decision involving health care.It can cost as much as ten to
fifteen times more expensive than a mammogram. Moreover, in several
cases, physicians would still advise the patient to have a mammogram
especially after tumor growths or lesions have been detected by the MRI as most would definitely not advise to rely solely on the MRI.
The MRI is definitely a
work in progress. Researchers are still developing ways on how the
MRI can be designed to be more sensitive and more specific in the
detection of cancer growths and abnormalities in the breast as well
as consequent results and the progress of treatment and medication.
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