Beyond the Mammogram: Advanced Screening for Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is often associated with finding a lump during a self-exam or clinical exam. But as with many types of cancer, it begins developing long before it can be felt. As a result, early detection is key for easier and more effective treatment.

Breast cancer screening involves looking for signs of the disease before any symptoms, such as a lump, occur. Mammograms are the most common type of screening. These quick, lifesaving exams take an X-ray picture of the breast to view inside. Mammograms are typically combined with clinical breast exams where a healthcare provider uses their hands to feel for concerning changes. Together, this approach to early detection has saved countless lives from breast cancer.

For patients who have a higher risk of developing breast cancer, advanced screening options are available to keep a closer eye on their breast health and detect breast cancer as early as possible. This can lower the chances of needing invasive treatment, such as chemotherapy or radiation.

At LSU LCMC Health Cancer Center, we're proud to offer the following advanced breast cancer screening options:

3D Mammography

Breast tomosynthesis – also known as a 3D mammogram – is an imaging test that forms a three-dimensional image of the breast by combining multiple breast X-rays. It’s much like a traditional (or 2D) mammogram in that it’s performed by positioning the breast on a plate and compressing it for a few seconds. However, while 2D mammograms take an image of the top and side of the breast, 3D mammograms capture many images in an arc-shaped pattern across the breast.

3D mammograms are often used along with standard mammograms to view the breast in multiple ways. This has been shown to reduce the need for further testing, detect more cancers, and improve breast cancer screening in women with dense breast tissue.

They can be used as a screening tool or to further evaluate a concern in the breast, such as a thickening or lump. Because of their effectiveness, 3D mammograms may become the new standard in breast cancer screening as they become more widely available.

Breast Ultrasound

Ultrasounds use the echoes of sound waves to make real-time pictures of the inside of the body, including organs and blood vessels. They’re mostly associated with viewing growing fetuses during pregnancy, but they can also be used to view changes in the breast, such as cysts filled with fluid, that can be difficult to see on other imaging tests.

While not used for routine screening, breast ultrasounds help physicians get a closer look at concerns, such as lumps or suspicious areas on a mammogram. They’re also often recommended for women with dense breast tissue.

Ultrasounds are particularly useful because they can distinguish between masses filled with fluid (like cysts) and masses that are solid, which may need more testing to ensure they aren’t cancer.

Breast ultrasounds can also be used during a biopsy to help guide a needle into a precise area in the breast, allowing cells to be removed for further testing.

Breast MRI

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used to view inside the body and diagnose many kinds of conditions, from brain injuries to spine issues to heart problems. MRIs are also used to take a closer look at breast tissue to detect abnormalities.

An MRI uses a combination of radiofrequency detectors, powerful magnets, and a computer to produce detailed images of the breasts. It can find concerns in the breast earlier when the potential issue is smaller. In some cases, patients will be injected with contrast dye during an MRI, making certain tissue structures more prominent.

Breast MRIs aren’t used for average-risk patients because they can show abnormal results without any cancer present. However, they can be used to screen high-risk patients, further evaluate a concern, or identify the extent of an already-diagnosed cancer.

Breast Cancer Genetic Testing

Genetic testing helps determine if a condition runs in your family using just a blood or saliva sample. It can help you understand your risk before any symptoms occur. Breast cancer genetic testing works by looking for changes in the BRCA genes, which have been connected with a higher risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer.

Before undergoing genetic testing for breast cancer, a genetic counselor will perform a risk assessment to determine whether you might benefit from testing. For instance, women with a strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer (having at least one first- or second-degree relative who was diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 50) may qualify for genetic testing.

A genetic counselor and the rest of your healthcare team can help you understand your results, including how to use them to reduce your risk of breast cancer. This, along with other screening tools, can be a key component in preventing cancer or catching it in its early stages.

Should I Undergo Advanced Screening for Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer screening is important for everyone, no matter their individual risk. It starts with self-exams, followed by clinical exams performed by a healthcare provider. At age 40, most women should have a mammogram every year. For some women, additional screening is recommended, whether due to family history, personal history, or other risk factors.

To understand your individual risk, talk to your healthcare provider or visit LSU LCMC Health Cancer Center’s Comprehensive Breast Cancer Center. If you have a higher risk of developing breast cancer, our high-risk clinic provides individualized care, including advanced screening for breast cancer and, if needed, treatment.

Knowing your risk is the first step to preventing breast cancer and catching it in its earliest stages. With the support of your care team, you can take advantage of the wide range of advanced screening options to prioritize your breast health now and in the future.