Munson's New Technology for High Risk Patients
By Diana Fairbanks
Monday, May 18, 2009 at 1:29 p.m.
Read more: Local, Health, Buddy Check, Breast, Mri, Cancer, Diana Fairbanks
For most movies, you don't need 3-D glasses, but on a few films it can take the experience to a whole new level.
In a way, that's what Munson's new breast MRI technology is like.
And it's the subject of this special Buddy Check Report.
In the fight against breast cancer mammography is one of the best tools for detection for most women. Munson Medical center performs 35 thousand mammograms every year. But for a few of those women, 1%, a new technology is a new tool for detection.
Radiologist, Charles Weitz M.D., says, "It's brand new- started breast MRI in February."
While the breast MRI does not replace mammography, it does add another level to imaging.
Dr. Weitz says, "we're able to view those images in 3 dimensions, there's no radiation involved, the resolution is really rather wonderful-- down to the millimeter range."
The technology has a lot to offer, but it's not for everyone. Munson follows American Cancer Society Guidelines for selecting those women who would benefit most from breast MRI.
Dr. Weitz says," A high risk group of women that have a higher likelihood of developing breast cancer in their lifetime."
That includes women who test positive for the breast cancer gene, those with a close relative who tests positive for the gene, women who had radiation to their chest for lymphoma or Hodgkin's disease between the ages of 10-30 and some patients newly diagnosed with breast cancer.
Dr. Weitz says, "Those women who are genetically positive are about 1% of the population. We're talking a very small group of women."
But for that group of women, the new technology at Munson brings the imaging option much closer to home.
Dr. Weitz says, "It's wonderful for the community. People don't have to travel to achieve the same goals in the past people had to drive to Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, or Detroit to get these tests done and now they don't have to leave the area now."
If you think you might be a candidate for a breast MRI, talk to your primary care physician or surgeon first, and then you will work with Munson's genetics clinic. If you meet the criteria there you will be referred to the breast MRI.
To learn more about Munson's Breast MRI click here.
