MRI's along with Mammograms.

[DawnCt1]

Most medical insurers now pay for MRIs for breast cancer screening, yearly or every other year, depending upon personal and family history. I see the same radiologist every year (I went today), and he sits down and reviews the films before I ever leave the office, which is great peace of mind. He suggested that I get an MRI yearly or every other year, due to my family history. He also said that the first one may be scary because everything shows up, sometimes false positives, but once they are determined to be clean, they are "really clean".
Has anyone done this?

 

[breezy1077]

There is actually a new technology that's waiting for FDA approval that sounds really exciting. It's an imaging technology that's supposed to be used in conjunction with mammography.

It's available overseas and is waiting for the FDA thumbs up....keep your eyes open for it, it sounds really good.

 

[crashbb]

Yup. I started mammograms at 25 and MRIs at 30 (yes, I do have a strong family history). I have one of each yearly, spaced 6 months apart (so I have something every 6 months).

The first MRI did show something - though it was a solid (though benign) lump that required a lumpectomy and would have also shown up on a mammogram (I had one the day of my biopsy).

My second MRI also involved a call back, but I was given the "all clear" following the ultrasound.

The thing to remember with the MRI is to have it during days 7-10 of your cycle (depends on the specific protocol that they follow) to reduce false positives.

Other than having to lie very still for about 45-60 minutes, some loud noises, and having an iv, they are not a big deal (just make sure you are positioned well before you start, I didn't my first MRI and the head rest felt like it was cutting into my forehead before the end).

 

[arminnie]

No I haven't - but I think I will ask about it. My mother died of breast cancer.

My biggest fear is not getting breast cancer - it is not finding out that I have breast cancer until it is too late.

My last two radiologists have also reviewed it before I leave. The first time one did that (while my mother was terminally ill) I did not know that it was routine to be called in to look at the images. I just sat there in shock waiting for her to show me the spot - until she said "it's all okay".

My best friend had breast cancer diagnosed from a lump that showed up in a mammogram. Her doctor then did something called a diagnostic MRI. He chose to check both breasts. They found a totally different type of cancer in the other breast - the kind that would never have shown up in a mammogram.

 

[DawnCt1]

No I haven't - but I think I will ask about it. My mother died of breast cancer.

My biggest fear is not getting breast cancer - it is not finding out that I have breast cancer until it is too late.

My last two radiologists have also reviewed it before I leave. The first time one did that (while my mother was terminally ill) I did not know that it was routine to be called in to look at the images. I just sat there in shock waiting for her to show me the spot - until she said "it's all okay".

My best friend had breast cancer diagnosed from a lump that showed up in a mammogram. Her doctor then did something called a diagnostic MRI. He chose to check both breasts. They found a totally different type of cancer in the other breast - the kind that would never have shown up in a mammogram.

My mom died of breast cancer, as did her first cousin. Her sister had colon cancer at the age of 40 and died of ovarian cancer 40 years later. I am tempted to do the genetic testing, but "out of pocket" so it doesn't appear on any insurance company record.

 

[arminnie]

I am tempted to do the genetic testing, but "out of pocket" so it doesn't appear on any insurance company record.

My friend that I was referring to earlier did go for the genetic testing. She had 2 different types of breast cancer plus her mother died of ovarian cancer (but didn't get diagnosed until she was 93!)

I think the biggest reason she did it was because she has 2 daughters plus her ethnic heritage is more prone to the genetic variant. The good news is that she did not test positive.