In order for a woman to find out where her breast cancer has spread, she would have different image tests done. These types of image tests are described below:

Before women choose their breast cancer treatment with their physicians, they have chest x-rays to determine their heart and lung capacity. This test evaluates the lungs, heart, ribs, and diaphragm and is the most common diagnostic x-ray examination. It produces images of the heart, lungs, airways, blood vessels and spinal and chest bones and is generally completed within 15 minutes. This procedure is painless and physicians can have results almost immediately.

The mammogram is an x-ray test that is used for women with signs or no signs of breast cancer. It is recommended by the National Cancer institute that women above age 40 get a mammogram every one to two years. It is also stated that women of higher risks may need to be checked more often or earlier than age 40. Physicians insist that if you are at higher risk, the most effective way to identify breast cancer early is through both a clinical breast exam and mammogram.

Bone Scan tests can be more helpful than other x-ray exams because they show all the bones of the body at once, to determine if the cancer has spread to the bone from a tumor in a different organ. Radioactive material is injected into a blood vessel and travels through the patient’s bloodstream. A scanner then detects the material collected in the bones to produce images.

A Computed Tomography (CT) Scan is a machine that rotates around a patient and takes several pictures of the body. The pictures are then merged and sliced into different parts of the body, which are usually the chest and abdomen in breast cancer patients. The process of this type of imaging test lasts for a longer time period than other x-ray exams, as the patient lies still on a table that moves in and out of the scanning machine.

The Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Scan checks for tumors in either breast. It is different from an x-ray exam, in that it uses energy from radio waves and strong magnets that is translated into detailed pictures of the body parts. MRI scans can also be helpful after a woman has been diagnosed with breast cancer to determine the size of the tumor.

The ultrasound technique produces pictures, called sonograms, of soft tissues that do not always appear on x-rays. For breast cancer patients, ultrasounds are used to differentiate between tumors and cysts, as well as to inspect lumps that are difficult to see on mammograms. They are commonly used and less expensive than other image tests.

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan offers information on the patient’s whole body, but the images are not as specific as those produced from CT or MRI scans. A substance of sugar and radioactive material is injected in the patient and then flows through the body for about 45 minutes. The PET scanner examines the radiation translated into the images.

SaveRBoobies offers free resources and information to women before and after breast cancer treatments. View video interviews with surgeons, oncologists, radiologists, nutritionists, yoga instructors, survivors, and more. SaveRBoobies strives to support breast cancer charities that provide direct services to women by donating portions of its breast cancer apparel sales.

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