According to much medical information written, breast cancer is still the second leading cause of death in woman. It has been, found that one in four South Africans would be affected with at least one diagnosis of cancer in their lifetime.  It seems that breast cancer is the very common cause of death reason in women period. Be advised though that clinical observations recently have demonstrated that early detection has decreased mortality rates up to 50%. This means that breast cancer is detected early; the chances of survival are greater.  There are many different medical imaging devices which are utilized for the detection of breast cancer. The most common medical devices are x-ray or mammography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, and other radionuclide techniques.

Magnetic resonance imaging

Contrary to CT or x-rays, these medical devices are not using ionizing radiation. They use a strong and powerful magnetic field for aligning the hydrogen nuclei orientation in the body. Throughout a coil which acts as a transmitter of radio-frequency, this device alters the nuclei alignment. The generated magnetic field is detected by the scanner of this medical device. When a breast image is needed, the development of a bilateral coil has facilitated simultaneous imaging of both breasts. The magnetic resonance imaging provides functional information more exactly and giving data about changes in vascular density associated with angiogenesis, and also it produces a #D morphology of the breast tissue.

Clinical data of magnetic resonance imaging has shown that it can give a diagnosis and is a diagnostic tool that is accurate, also a picture of the extent of the disease, and it also has the ability to diagnose cancers in the breast which is collateral and that are mammographically occult. The magnetic resonance imaging works quite well for all women who are facing a high risk of breast cancer due to hereditary factors and it is always recommended as an additional diagnostic action to mammography for these patients. It is good to know that an MRI has a specificity of 72% and a sensitivity of 90% but the manufacturers is working on improvement with the application of magnetic resonance spectroscopy. This is a medical device and because of this, it is used as a diagnostic than a screening medical tool.

An MRI gives a photo from the inside of the breast simply by using magnetic fields. It is used after a mammography and ultrasound is done that have produced ambiguous results.  An MRI scan can be used before an intervention just to be sure that there are no other tumors and if tumors are found it can locate them.  The big advantage of this tool is that it is x-ray free and can produce a 3D image or allow for MRI supported biopsies.

How is it done?

When the patient has arrived the examination, process can start. The person has to lie very still and he would be moved into a tube which is surrounded by a magnet. According to several studies, most of the women don’t show negative experiences from this procedure but some of them may show anxiety or even fear. All women should know that during the procedure they can communicate with the medical team via camera or intercom.  To enhance the images, a contrast agent has to be injected into the patient’s veins during the examination which is free of radiation. This procedure takes around fifteen to thirty minutes. One important thing to consider is that it has to be performed during the second or third week of the woman menstrual cycle. Medical data shows that this is the best time to obtain the best MRI images.

In South Africa and in many other areas of the world refurbished MRI systems are needed and welcomed. Setting up a Mobile MRI Coach or Van to serve women would be a great humanitarian undertaking and with it would educate women about early breast cancer screening.  Refurbished MRI systems are affordable. Refurbished MRI systems are still in a good condition and they would be a perfect solution for the underserved population. The use and presence of the Mobile Coach or Trailer or Medical Van in all parts of the world would better enable every woman to have the chance to educate them as to early detection of breast cancer can save lives.

Summary

A magnetic resonance imaging service could not entirely change mammography procedure if we suspect of breast cancer manifestation.  For the best result, this process should be done as a complementary diagnosis measure.  The future of these medical devices is that a 3D proton MRI spectroscopy may save the patients from unnecessary and painful biopsies simply by providing metabolic information.  This makes the process easier for the medical provider to better differentiate between healthy and affected tissue.