ROCHESTER, N.Y., April 27 (UPI) -- Mammography has been the gold standard in early detection of breast cancer, but other imaging techniques are also being used, according to U.S. researchers.
Mammograms are X-rays of the breasts to look for suspicious masses or breast-tissue changes before they can be seen or felt, but it is not perfect, and accuracy depends on the film, the technique and the skill of the radiologist. Dense breast tissue can make abnormalities difficult to see on a mammogram, according to the Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource.
Digital mammography uses X-rays to produce an image recorded on a computer that can be enhanced; however, it is expensive and only a few facilities offer it for screening.
Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to display images on a computer screen that is used to determine if a lump or suspicious area is a cyst or solid mass. It may be useful in screening women with dense breast tissue.
Magnetic resonance imaging, which does not use radiation, is used to assess abnormal areas seen on a mammogram, but it's expensive, not readily available and has a high rate of false-positives.
