BREAST SELF EXAMINATION (BSE)

BSE is the visual and manual examination of your normal breast structure so that you can easily identify any unusual spontaneous changes. The majority of breast lumps are found by the woman herself.

Early medical attention to these changes can greatly impact the treatment and prognosis if you are diagnosed with breast cancer. It is also important to have an annual clinical breast examination by a physician or health care professional who is qualified and/or specially trained. Discuss the importance of screening mammography with your physician.

  MAMMOGRAPHY

A mammogram is an x-ray film of the breast. It is used to detect tumours and cysts and can help to differentiate between malignant and benign tumours. There are two types of mammograms. A screening mammogram is used for women without symptoms and a diagnostic mammogram is used for women with abnormal breast changes. Although a mammogram can detect 90-95% of breast cancers it is not perfect.

Digital mammography collects the x-ray image of the breast and stores it in a computer. Every part of the mammogram is scanned by the computer and any suspicious areas are reported for further review. This procedure improves the overall reading quality of the mammogram image.


RISKS

The level of radiation in a mammogram procedure is extremely low. The compression of the breast for the x-ray can cause some discomfort for a very short time.


HELPFUL HINTS

• make sure that your appointment is at an accredited mammography facility
• make sure that the equipment is dedicated to mammograms exclusively
• do not make your appointment when your breasts have premenstrual tenderness
• do not use deodorant, perfume, powders or ointments under your arms or on your breast for this test
• notify the radiologist or technician if you are pregnant or breast feeding
• wear a two piece outfit so that you can remove the upper half for the test
• do not wear any jewellery around your neck

  ULTRASONOGRAPHY

An ultrasound uses ultrasonic waves to scan the breast. It can differentiate a solid breast tumour from a breast cyst and as such is an important part of the diagnostic work-up. This imaging method can be used as a guide for cyst aspiration, aspiration biopsy or needle localization.

Ultrasound is very effective for women with very dense breast tissue, women with fibrocystic breast disease, women who are under thirty years of age, women who are pregnant, women with silicon breast implants, women who refuse mammography and women who should not be exposed to x-rays.


RISKS

There is no known risk involved with the ultrasound procedure.


HELPFUL HINTS

• do not use deodorant, perfume, powder or ointments under your arms or on your breasts prior to this procedure
• wear a two piece outfit so that you can remove the upper half for the test

  THERMOGRAPHY

A thermogram is an infrared imaging procedure that measures the skin temperature across the breasts. It assesses localized areas of increased skin temperature which can indicate the presence of benign or malignant breast disease.


RISKS

There are no known risks involved with the thermogram procedure.


HELPFUL HINTS

• avoid sun exposure to breasts prior to the procedure
• do not use perfume, powder or ointments on your breasts prior to the procedure
• wear a two piece outfit so that you can remove the upper half for the test
• inform the technician if you have a recent skin lesion for it could cause a false positive

  3D ULTRASOUND-GUIDED BREAST BIOPSY

Ultrasound-guided imaging (also called Stereotactic Biopsy) is used to accurately locate the breast tumour or area of concern. A needle biopsy is then performed to remove a core tissue sample for further analysis.

This procedure reduces the number of surgical biopsies and eases the psychological trauma for a woman.

  MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the breast is a procedure that uses magnetic fields to predict breast malignancy by measuring the tumour's micro-vascular system. It is hoped that with further research and modification, MRI will be able to detect, diagnose and provide improved prognosis of lumps suspected to be breast cancer.

  COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY LASER   MAMMOGRAPHY (CTLM)

CTLM is an imaging device using state-of-the-art laser technology to examine different planes of breast tissue and produce a 3D view of the breast. As this method develops and is perfected, examination of a woman's breast will be done easily and without discomfort.

  RESOURCES

Web Sites

• Canadian Radiologist Association
  
• Canadian Association of Radiologists Mammography Accreditation Program
  
• Ontario Breast Screening Program
  
• American College of Radiologist
  
• American Cancer Society Statement on Mammography Guidelines
  
• imaginis.com - Ductal Lavage
  
• CancerHelp UK - Diagnostics
• International Academy of Clinical Thermology