Originally published August 6 2005
New mammogram test locates higher percentage of cancer
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
On average, traditional mammograms miss one case of breast cancer for every four it detects. But a new test called scintimammography seeks to solve the problem.
Mammograms are an important way of detecting breast cancer, but they are not fail-proof.
One in five mammograms is a false negative, showing no breast cancer when in fact the cancer exists.
Now nuclear technology being used at Lahey Clinic in Burlington, Mass., is helping to improve breast cancer diagnosis, reported WCVB-TV in Boston.
Last spring, Ines Fusco, 43, found a 2�-inch lump in her breast.
"I was in the shower and I was bathing and I said, 'Oh, gee, what the heck is that?'" she said.
Both a mammogram and an ultrasound showed nothing.
He gave Fusco a new type of imaging test called scintimammography, and the test came back positive.
"The imaging clearly showed a hot spot right at the sight of the palpable mass, and that helped us confirm our decision," Karp said.
Scintimammography involves a small amount of radioactive dye injected into the patient's veins, and then the breast is viewed through a high-resolution camera.
"When you're looking at a scintimammogram, the normal breast tissue doesn't pick up the radioactive material, whereas abnormal tissue does," said Dr. Anna Chacko, of Lahey Clinic.
It's the first hospital in Massachusetts to use scintimammography on patients with inconclusive mammograms.
"We're finding it immensely helpful, particularly in younger patients who have very dense breasts," said Chacko.
Doctors say the scintimammogram is also less painful than a traditional mammogram because it does not flatten the breast.
Doctors say the radioactive dye used in the scintimammogram is safe and is expelled by the body within 24 hours.
Fusco has undergone two surgeries and is about to have her third.
I have two children and a wonderful husband, and I expect to be around for a long time," she said.
All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. Truth Publishing LLC takes sole responsibility for all content. Truth Publishing sells no hard products and earns no money from the recommendation of products. NaturalNews.com is presented for educational and commentary purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice from any licensed practitioner. Truth Publishing assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. For the full terms of usage of this material, visit www.NaturalNews.com/terms.shtml