New Technology for Mammographers
This blog is now focused on laboratory specialties. This article is here for your information only, as jobs are no longer provided for any radiation technician specialties.
Mammography is the best known way to screen for breast cancer, but it does have limitations. It misses 10-15 percent of breast cancers, and even more when women have dense breasts or implants. Breast-Specific Gamma Imaging (BSGI) can be used more effectively on patients with dense breasts or implants. It can also be used to further study abnormalities or identified malignancies already discovered by a mammography or biopsy.
The process is best suited to experienced mammographers, because it involves a special room set up, handling or isotopes, and injecting the patient. The patient must be imaged shortly after being injected with the isotope, as the dose will decay about 10 percent per hour. The isotope accumulates differently in cancerous tissue than it does in normal tissue. If any abnormalities are seen the patient often needs a follow-up ultrasound.
Learn more about hiring mammographers.
Source:
- Tuttle-Kuhm, Jane and Raub, Joyce (2008, February 4) BSGI for Mammographers. Advance for Imaging and Radiation Thereapy Professionals, 22-24
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