Breast cancer Scans

The 5 most common types of scans you can expect to receive over the course of breast cancer diagnosis and treatments are:

1. Mammogram

2. Ultrasound

3. MRI

4. CT

5. PET

The 1st type of scan is a mammogram which uses X-rays to create images of the breast and involves minimal radiation exposure.

A mammogram can identify calcifications which can indicate breast cancer.

A mammogram cannot identify whether a mass is malignant.

The 2nd type of scan is an ultrasound which sends high-frequency sound waves through your breast and converts them into images.

An ultrasound can identify if an area of concern is a solid lump.

An ultrasound cannot identify whether the solid lump is malignant.

The 3rd type of scan is an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) which uses magnets and radio waves to produce detailed cross-sectional images.

An MRI can identify if a cancer is limited to one area of the breast or if it involves more than one area.

An MRI cannot detect calcifications.

The 4th type of scan is CT (Computerized Tomography) which is an X-ray technique that gives doctors information in 2-dimensional slices or cross-sections.

A CT scan can identify the extent of the spread of a cancer after a diagnosis.

A CT scan cannot identify the type of cancer.

The 5th type of scan is a PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scan in which a small amount of radioactive glucose is injected into a vein.

The PET scan is usually done in conjunction with a CT and can identify cells that are active that could be cancer.

A PET scan cannot diagnose breast cancer.

Watch our video on breast cancer scans on YouTube https://youtu.be/8Y2ouTuZzms

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