Forum Discussion
Secondary breast cancer data collection
Good Morning,
You may have seen previous discussions in the online network that data is not routinely collected on secondary breast cancer in the way it is when women are diagnosed with early breas...
As mammograms only pick up 50% of breast cancers and breast scans the same (77% chance of picking up cancers if you have both) then why aren't women at risk sent for MRIs that pick up 100% of breast cancers? You can do your knee in playing footie and be sent for MRI but not so for breast cancer. In America if you have "dense" breasts or family history or "at risk" you are routinely sent for MRIs. Why are we so backward here in Australia? Having "dense breasts" is a real risk factor for women. How many women are actually told they have dense breasts?
The Mayo Clinic in America has developed a new immaging machine using Gamma Rays (no more squeezing breasts between two sheets of glass!) that is picking up 4cm tumors in women who have just had mammograms.