Beyond mammography -- MRIs, thermography, ultrasound ...

Forget mammograms; breast MRIs are the way to go. No, no, thermography is the answer. Wait, what about ductal lavage? Such has been the gist of comments in the wake of the U.S. Preventive Service Task Force's suggestion that maybe, just perhaps, all women under 50 don't need regular screening mammograms.

And researchers released a report this week at the Radiological Society of North America meeting suggesting that ultrasound, in combination with a specific software program, could detect 98% of cancers. (the Reuters story)

So here's a quick rundown, from the American Cancer Society, on other breast-screening technologies.

The information includes details on just how mammograms are done, what doctors look for on the resulting film and the description of mammogram findings -- useful background as this discussion evolves.

Here's another look at screening procedures, courtesy Breastcancer.org.

As for the increasingly touted other technologies, they're generally regarded as most useful in specific cases -- not as a one-screening-technique-fits-all answer.

The original story in the now ongoing coverage: Mammogram guidelines spark heated debate.

And an addendum this week from some of the doctors who made the recent "maybe not everyone needs a regular screening" suggestion: Mammogram panel says guidelines 'poorly worded.'

-- Tami Dennis

Photo: Runners hoist a giant bra at September's Susan G. Komen Orange County Race For The Cure in Newport Beach. Credit: Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Not Crazy]

Thermography has over 800 medical studies to validate it's effectiveness.
A 2008 study done at New York Presbyterian Hospital-Cornell and published in The Journal of Surgery showed a 97% sensitivity to cancer by thermography.
You can see this article and more at www.pictureinside.com

Thermography is completely safe, effective, and appropriate even for young and high risk women.

[Cyn]

An FDA advisory panel just recommended that the warning for Covidien’s Optimark and GE’s Omnisca—drugs in the family of medications known as gadolinium-based contrast agents (DBCAs)—be updated to restrict their use in patients with severe kidney disease because of the potential for an increased risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF). NSF causes thickening of the skin and organs. GBCAs carry a strong “black box” warning. This site has good information on this issue: http://www.gadolinium-mri.com/index.html