New gamma imaging helps in fight against breast cancer

Park Nicollet is the first in the Twin Cities to use Breast-Specific Gamma Imaging to diagnose tumors

A new tool is helping clinicians at Park Nicollet Jane Brattain Breast Center diagnose and treat breast cancer. Breast-Specific Gamma Imaging is an easy, comfortable method of detecting breast cancer in women who have a questionable finding on their mammogram, who have dense breast tissue, scar tissue from pervious surgery or breast implants.

A small amount of radioactive tracing agent is injected in a patient's arm. The agent is temporarily absorbed in the body and concentrates in cancer cells with a high metabolic rate. A specially designed camera takes pictures of the breast to help radiologists see any abnormal cellular activity. "This imaging detects anatomy, not just density, so we get a clearer picture of what's really going on," said Mary Lechner, MD, medical director of the Park Nicollet Jane Brattain Breast Center. "It's faster, less invasive and less expensive than other forms of diagnosis."

Breast-Specific Gamma Imaging works in conjunction with mammograms and other diagnostic tests. It can improve diagnosis if a mammogram is difficult to read, if a patient is in a higher risk category, or if a patient has dense breast tissue, surgical scars or implants. It is also considered less invasive than mammography because breast compression is not required.

"I used to get really nervous during my annual breast exam. I worried so much about finding something, I'd sweat," said Andrea Johnson, a breast cancer survivor who is both a patient and an employee at the Park Nicollet Jane Brattain Breast Center. Andrea, a radiology technician, says the new imaging gives her peace of mind "because I know the gamma imaging is so good at detecting hard to spot tumors."

For more information, consult with your primary care doctor for a referral and visit Jane Brattain Breast Center's Web site.