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Breast Cancer and MBI/BSGI
I am 41 years old and have no history of breast cancer. When I went for my first ever mammogram last year I was told that I had dense breasts but no problem; however, two weeks ago I went for my 2nd annual mammogram and was called back in for a lateral spot compression test on the right breast. I was told that there is a dense area that is so close to my chest wall that this test was unable to see the area clearly so they sent me for an ultrasound. The radiologist came in an performed the ultrasound himself. He said that it is not normal to have an area of dense tissue so close to the chest wall and that the ribs were casting a shadow on the spot that he needed to look at. He does not think that it is cancer but since my mammogram changed over the past year and this spot is abnormal, they are sending me for a BSGI test. Apparently, this molecular breast imaging test is comparable to an MRI and should detect the presence of cancer immediately. Has anyone had this BSGI test?
Best Answer
This "spot" near the chest wall is what I have too. If you don't want to wait then keep pushing them...... good luck!
Ask about Molecular Breast Imaging when you go for your MRI. Maybe you can get the new test next time. Best of luck!
Well i know what you are saying, the waiting and the wondering is so bad. i pray for all that are going through this. Good or bad it still is one of the worse days to go through. I have had 2 mammograms and then a ultrasound the ultrasound person said she couldnt see any thing but some thing showed up a spot on the mammogram the first time and then i had to go back in for another one I got a call that i was to go back in 6 months for another mammogram. And when I ask the person that called about re booking I said is this cancer and she said No. and went to see my doctor about the results this spot is close to the wall of my cheast i have no idea what it is. And I dont think he does either. but I keep thinking it has to be some thing. yet i dont even know except a spot??? showed on the mammagram all i know is my doctor said two people have looked at it and they dont think it is any thing to worry about So now I wait it is scarie for sure.
I had 3 mammograms before thissince I turned 50 every other year and all have came back fine. Untill now SO it does make me wonder?? even when you try not to think about it but until Feb i guess we wait and see.. thinking fabout all of us that are going through this. Mary jayne.
I had 3 mammograms before thissince I turned 50 every other year and all have came back fine. Untill now SO it does make me wonder?? even when you try not to think about it but until Feb i guess we wait and see.. thinking fabout all of us that are going through this. Mary jayne.
Thanks so much for sharing your experience and I'm happy to hear that they found no evidence of cancer. I had just recently heard of BSGI in the same article bb referred to and I'm really hoping it's available in my area. I have LCIS and have been getting an MRI every six months. The experience each time has been horrible for me, but I get through it because I HAVE to. If I can do this instead and NOT have to have MRI, I would be thrilled! I get nauseous, claustrophobic and end up in severe pain due to the positioning with MRI, so BSGI would be a blessing. I also have dense breasts so I'd feel confident knowing nothing would be missed. I have an MRI scheduled the end of this month and see my oncologist early next month---I sure hope it's the last MRI I'll need to have!
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding and I wish you all the vey best in the future!
nc
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding and I wish you all the vey best in the future!
nc
I never really thought about the difficulties that someone with a disablity may have to deal with in this situation, but I do believe that the BSGI would be able to accomodate wheel chairs etc because the arm of the machine moved around and adjusted in height and the machine was on wheels as well.
Thanks so much for the update.
I'm so happy to hear you showed no signs of BC!
Thanks, too, for sharing your personal experiece with this procedure. I found it very interesting, and it occurred to me that the positioning might make it more accessible than MRI for persons with certain disabilities.
If the price does indeed turn out to be lower than for MRI, that would be an added bonus in regard to this important new tool for surveillance for breast cancer.
Warm regards,
bluebutterfly
I'm so happy to hear you showed no signs of BC!
Thanks, too, for sharing your personal experiece with this procedure. I found it very interesting, and it occurred to me that the positioning might make it more accessible than MRI for persons with certain disabilities.
If the price does indeed turn out to be lower than for MRI, that would be an added bonus in regard to this important new tool for surveillance for breast cancer.
Warm regards,
bluebutterfly
Hello all! I am sorry that it took me so long to post information on the BSGI/MBI test. I am getting married this month and between wedding plans and health issues I have just lost track of time.
I did have the BSGI/MBI test and I wanted to share my experience so everyone would have a better idea of what this test involved. I had the procedure at a local breast center and it took only about 30 minutes for the test and I was there for about an hour total. I received an injection of a tracer that accumulates in the cancer cells and makes them “light up” on the computer screen. The test was similar to the mammogram except you are sitting down while they do the images. They took three images of each breast and it showed no evidence of cancer in my breasts. I do, however, have an issue that requires further investigation—probably calcification on a rib or a bone spur----but not cancer. The test was extremely easy and I would definitely recommend it to anyone that is not comfortable with the results received from their mammogram or ultrasound and wants to ease their mind.
Right before my test, I did have the opportunity to meet a patient that had a cancerous lump that did not show up on her mammogram and was found by the BSGI/MBI procedure. She was incredibly inspiring and really made me thankful that this test was available to me.
Best wishes to everyone!
I did have the BSGI/MBI test and I wanted to share my experience so everyone would have a better idea of what this test involved. I had the procedure at a local breast center and it took only about 30 minutes for the test and I was there for about an hour total. I received an injection of a tracer that accumulates in the cancer cells and makes them “light up” on the computer screen. The test was similar to the mammogram except you are sitting down while they do the images. They took three images of each breast and it showed no evidence of cancer in my breasts. I do, however, have an issue that requires further investigation—probably calcification on a rib or a bone spur----but not cancer. The test was extremely easy and I would definitely recommend it to anyone that is not comfortable with the results received from their mammogram or ultrasound and wants to ease their mind.
Right before my test, I did have the opportunity to meet a patient that had a cancerous lump that did not show up on her mammogram and was found by the BSGI/MBI procedure. She was incredibly inspiring and really made me thankful that this test was available to me.
Best wishes to everyone!
You are certainly welcome!
Glad you don't have to wait too long for the next step in the evaluation of the density.
Almost everyone finds the waiting to be the most difficult part of the process.
You will be in my thoughts,
bb
Glad you don't have to wait too long for the next step in the evaluation of the density.
Almost everyone finds the waiting to be the most difficult part of the process.
You will be in my thoughts,
bb
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Yes, BSGI is considered equivalent to MRI. However, to my knowledge, NO imaging study can "detect the presence of cancer immediately." It may detect suspicious areas, but only when cells obtained through biopsy and examined under a microscope can conclusively diagnose breast cancer,
Here is some information about the two types of imaging:
"According to a new study presented at the 2012 American Society of Breast Surgeons, Molecular Breast Imaging (MBI), also known as BSGI, is equivalent to MRI in detecting breast cancer. Although both MBI/BSGI and MRI are capable of detecting cancers missed by mammography and ultrasound, the MBI/BSGI procedure can be conducted for about 1/3 the cost of an MRI examination.
The authors concluded that there was no statistically significant difference between the sensitivity or specificity of the two modalities. MRI cannot be performed on patients with metal or electronic implants, or those with claustrophobia. In addition, MRI utilizes a contrast agent that has been reported to cause adverse reactions in a very small number of patients, especially those with insufficient kidney function. Such patients have no difficulty having a MBI/BSGI exam."
Please update us regarding your experience with this relatively new form of imaging, and your results when you get them.
Best wishes,
bluebutterfly