Focusing on You: Better Technology for Breast Cancer Prevention

Contrast-enhanced mammograms for clearer results

Dr. Jose Net, breast imager at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of University of Miami Health System, discusses the benefits of contrast-enhanced mammograms for patients at risk for breast cancer.

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT

Narrator: Focusing on You, from your team of experts at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, South Florida’s only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center.

Pam Giganti: This is a digital mammogram of a patient who was recommended to have a biopsy. A contrast-enhanced mammogram of the same patient showed no area of concern, and no biopsy was needed. Sylvester breast imager, Dr. Jose Net says contrast-enhanced mammograms have fewer false positives.

Dr. Jose Net: The main benefits being that it’s relatively inexpensive, it’s very quick, the results are almost instantaneous, and the accuracy of the test. I mean, it’s really wonderful to have confidence in what you read and what you’re reviewing.

Pam Giganti: Sylvester is one of just a few centers in South Florida offering this new technology in breast cancer detection.

Pam Giganti: It’s the same equipment as a mammogram with upgraded hardware. Intravenous iodine contrast is used to enhance the images. Dr. Net says the best candidates are women at intermediate risk of developing breast cancer.

Dr. Jose Net: That would be any women with a personal history of breast cancer, a family history of breast cancer, a prior high-risk lesion at biopsy, or even dense breasted women.

Pam Giganti: Contrast-enhanced mammography is also a great option for women at high risk who need a breast MRI.

Dr. Jose Net: But they have issues like severe claustrophobia, they have implantable devices that are not compatible with the MRI, or they have gadolinium allergies.

Tags: breast cancer screening, contrast-enhanced mammograms, Dr. Jose Net, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center