Breast Ultrasound Better Than Mammo In Certain Patients

Breast ultrasound has proven to be more helpful in overtly symptomatic patients in screening for breast cancers.  This study reflects the mind set of European doctors who use breast ultrasound in lieu of mammography in a younger population because of the risks associated with radiation.


SEATTLE, Oct. 22 (UPI) -- For women ages 30-39 with symptoms of possible breast cancer, ultrasound is a superior diagnostic tool to mammography, U.S. researchers say.
Dr. Constance Lehman, director of radiology at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and professor and vice chair of radiology at the University of Washington, said the use of ultrasound in women ages 30-39 who have overt breast symptoms -- palpable lumps, localized pain and tissue thickening -- is common practice in Europe, where guidelines typically recommend ultrasound as the primary diagnostic imaging tool.
The risk for malignancy among women in this age group is small, but real, at about 1.9 percent, Lehman said.

Read more: http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2012/10/22/Breast-cancer-Ultrasound-better-for-some/UPI-55691350940734/#ixzz2Aod0XtZw