Early Breast Cancer Detection with Elastography

Published on: February 13, 2014

As one of the newest and most cutting-edge tools for early breast cancer detection, elastography is still something of a mystery to the average person. This incredible breakthrough in imaging not only helps to find abnormal growths in breast tissue, but also to differentiate normal, benign growths from cancerous tumors. Learning more about this exciting development in breast cancer detection can help you to take a more active role in the preventative screening and detection methods used by your doctor.

What is Elastography?

Cancerous tissues have their own tissue characteristics, which tend to be quite different from those of normal breast tissue or benign growths. Their inherent lack of elasticity in comparison to surrounding tissues makes tumors unique, and elastography is a new way of determining those characteristics. Not only can this technology help your doctor find cancerous growths earlier, but also to avoid unnecessary needle biopsies for harmless, benign lesions.

Performed during handheld breast ultrasounds, elastography may add only a scant few minutes to the overall length of an office visit. More importantly, elastography does not expose patients to radiation. Pioneers of the elastography method predict it may eventually replace mammography altogether as techniques are perfected and use of elastography becomes more widespread.

Elastography Testing

While elastography is a promising development in the early detection of breast cancer and preventative treatment, it’s not typically available through the offices of a general or family practice physician. In most cases, you will need to visit a breast care facility or radiology center in order to take advantage of this cutting-edge screening technique. Contact your doctor or a breast care facility in your area to learn more about elastography, and to schedule an appointment for preventative screening.

Posted on behalf of Diagnostic Radiology

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