CHRISTINA APPLEGATE AND MRI MAMMOGRAMS DIAGNOSTIC AND SCREENING MAMMOGRAMS VIDEO TO SCREEN AND DIAGNOSE BREAST CANCER

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Applegate had an MRI to detect her early stage breast cancer

Many women understandably when they hear those terrifying words "breast cancer" panic. Do you know what the difference is between screening and diagnostic mammograms? Are MRIs used to screen for breast cancer? The news that Christina Applegate a.k.a Kelly Bundy of "Married With Children" has breast cancer, has resulted in a flurry of stories about her and about breast cancer. Reports are that her doctor ordered an MRI of her breast and that the cancer was detected at an early stage. Many women when they hear those terrifying words "breast cancer" panic. That is understandable. The fact is though, that many times breast cancer can be fought and the battle won. I personally have spoken with women who were diagnosed and treated for breast cancer twenty years ago and more. For example, Olivia Newton John's (who recently got married by the way) breast cancer was detected in 1992. As with cancer in general, vigilance and early diagnosis are key in success. "Applegate's publicist said she had benefited from early detection through an MRI ordered by her doctor".

Read about a Pap Smear Test for Breast Cancer



Mammograms. Do you know the difference between a screening and diagnostic mammogram? For a test that is supposed to clarify things, the whole topic of mammograms and what they are used for is rather opaque. Mammograms are still the most common screening and diagnostic tool for breast cancer. The MRI which is magnetic resonance imaging has been and is now being studied and used for breast cancer screening and diagnosis. MRI is not new. Though the technology and capability of MRI machines is flourishing. Watch this video and the one further down the page about screening and diagnostic mammograms as well as a doctor discussing her views on when to get an MRI for breast cancer, who should get an MRI for breast cancer and how sensitive MRI is for breast cancer.




First Video about MRI for Breast Cancer Click the arrow









Second Video about MRI for Breast Cancer Click the arrow














"Mammography can show changes in the breast up to two years before a patient or physician can feel them. Cure rates are much higher when the breast cancer can be found at this stage. Current guidelines from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the American Cancer Society (ACS), the American Medical Association (AMA) and the American College of Radiology (ACR) recommend screening mammography every year for women, beginning at age 40". However, earlier breast cancer screening is increasingly being recommended for certain women and there is disagreement even within the various medical organizations.

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"The National Cancer Institute (NCI) adds that women who have had breast cancer and those who are at increased risk due to a genetic history of breast cancer should seek expert medical advice about whether they should begin screening before age 40 and about the frequency of screening"

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"Diagnostic mammography is used to evaluate a patient with abnormal clinical findings such as a breast lump or lumps that have been found by her or her doctor. Diagnostic mammography may also be done after an abnormal screening mammography in order to determine the cause of the area of concern on the screening exam".






Watch a Video Explaining Mammogram How Mammogram works Click the Arrow to Start






What is a screening mammogram?



A screening mammogram is an x-ray of the breast used to detect breast changes in women who have no signs or symptoms of breast cancer. It usually involves two x-rays of each breast. Mammograms make it possible to detect tumors that cannot be felt. Mammograms can also find microcalcifications (tiny deposits of calcium in the breast) that sometimes indicate the presence of breast cancer.

How are screening and diagnostic mammograms different?

A diagnostic mammogram is an x-ray of the breast that is used to check for breast cancer after a lump or other sign or symptom of breast cancer has been found. Signs of breast cancer may include pain, skin thickening, nipple discharge, or a change in breast size or shape. A diagnostic mammogram also may be used to evaluate changes found during a screening mammogram, or to view breast tissue when it is difficult to obtain a screening mammogram because of special circumstances, such as the presence of breast implants. A diagnostic mammogram takes longer than a screening mammogram because it involves more x-rays in order to obtain views of the breast from several angles. The technician may magnify a suspicious area to produce a detailed picture that can help the doctor make an accurate diagnosis.