A woman living with breast cancer would undergo different tests to determine if and where the cancer has spread. Here is a brief overview of the different types of image tests:
A Chest x-ray is one step in their breast cancer treatment is the chest x-ray which is a quick procedure that finds the capacity of their heart and lungs. Then it also produces images of the heart, lungs, airways, blood vessels, and spinal and chest bones. In all it takes about 15 minutes and is completely painless.
Mammogram tests for breast cancer in women who either have no signs or symptoms or after a lump or other symptoms of breast cancer have been found. It is recommended for women to get mammograms every one to two years once they reach the age of 40, according to the National Cancer Institute. However, women who have a higher risk of breast cancer may need to get mammograms earlier and more frequently, but should discuss the procedure with their physicians. The most effective way to identify breast cancer early is through a mammogram and a clinical breast exam done by a physician.
Bone Scan tests can be more helpful than other x-ray exams because they show all the bones of the body at once, to determine if the cancer has spread to the bone from a tumor in a different organ. Radioactive material is injected into a blood vessel and travels through the patient’s bloodstream. A scanner then detects the material collected in the bones to produce images.
The Computed Tomography (CT) Scan procedure is done by the patient being laid out on a table that moves in and out of the rotating CT scanner. The CT scanner then takes pictures of the body by rotating around the patient; those pictures are combined and sectioned into different parts of the body to be examined.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Scan can be used to study the breast with cancer or the opposite breast, to check for tumors. Rather than taking x-rays, MRI scans use energy from radio waves and strong magnets that is translated into detailed pictures of the body parts. MRI scans can be used after breast cancer is diagnosed to establish the size of the tumor of the breast.
The ultrasound creates images of soft tissues, called sonograms, which do not always appear on x-ray exams. Ultrasounds for breast cancer patients are used to distinguish tumors from cysts, as well as to examine lumps that are difficult to see on mammograms. They are commonly used and inexpensive, compared to other image tests.
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan is useful for determining where cancer has spread and provides information on the entire body, though the pictures produced are not as detailed as those from CT or MRI scans. The patient is injected with a substance of sugar and radioactive material, and then lies for about 45 minutes while the substance flows throughout the body. The PET scanner detects the radiation translated into the images.
SaveRBoobies offers free resources and information to women before and after breast cancer treatments. View video interviews with surgeons, oncologists, radiologists, nutritionists, yoga instructors, survivors, and more. SaveRBoobies strives to support breast cancer charities that provide direct services to women by donating portions of its breast cancer apparel sales.
from: http://healthandfitnessreport.info/breast-cancer-screenings/
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