News

Contact: Crossing Rivers Health Communications Department

Crossing Rivers Health is proud to announce the addition of breast MRI scans to the Medical Imaging Department, supplementing the 3D mammogram and breast ultrasound program. This is coupled with the addition of a Breast Nurse Navigator to assist patients who are newly diagnosed with breast cancer by providing the necessary information, resources, and support and to collaborate with the patient’s primary care provider.

The purpose of the screening MRI is to find small cancers in women who are at high risk because of family history, dense breast tissue, who have had prior breast cancer or prior radiation treatment. A genetic predisposition to breast cancer also places certain women at high risk.

Women with dense breast tissue present a unique challenge to image with both a mammogram and ultrasound. On a mammogram, a cancer can show up as a new or growing shadow or as concerning calcifications. Ultrasound can be used to evaluate the same area of concern, but ultrasound can occasionally miss a small cancer as well.

The MRI scan can see through these dense areas of breast tissue and can make the identification of any cancer or abnormality easily viewable by the radiologist. To aid in better detection of breast cancer, Crossing Rivers Health Medical Imaging Department has now added breast MRI to complement other breast imaging technology.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women. For early detection, annual mammograms are recommended for all women starting at age 40. Breast MRI is an excellent complementary imaging tool to mammograms and ultrasounds, especially for high-risk women.

Primary care providers and nurse practitioners are becoming increasingly more familiar with these screening recommendations and the uses of breast MRI.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has come to light as a valuable tool in breast imaging. It is the ultimate supplementary imaging tool, in addition to mammography and ultrasonography, in evaluating breast cancer. Breast MRI is most commonly used to evaluate and characterize malignancy, or the presence of cancerous cells/tumors that can spread to other parts of the body. Screening breast MRI has shown higher sensitivity rates in the detection of breast cancer compared to mammography, ultrasonography, or both combined in asymptomatic high-risk women.

Breast MRI can also be used for:

• Assessing the extent of cancer before surgery in newly diagnosed patients
• Screening the other breast in cases with higher risk, such as lobular carcinoma
• Determining the stage of breast cancer for treatment planning
• Monitoring how tumors respond to chemotherapy or hormonal therapy

“To support our patients' breast health, our breast nurse navigator will partner with Crossing Rivers Health primary care providers to assist patients newly diagnosed with breast cancer to get the information, resources, and support they need,” said Maria Mathis, Crossing Rivers Health Primary Care Clinic Director. Mathis added, “The nurse navigator is part of the healthcare team in helping women make informed choices for care, assisting with care coordination, and offering ongoing support to the patient and family throughout treatment. For our patients who may be identified as having a high risk of developing breast cancer, our nurse navigator and the primary care provider will work with the patient in developing a comprehensive plan with our Medical Imaging Department for additional screening services and follow-up care.”

Janelle Helgerson, Primary Care Clinic Population Health Nurse, stated, “We understand the impact of being diagnosed with or determined at high risk of developing breast cancer. We want to do everything we can to assist our patients in answering questions and getting the care they need as quickly as possible. Working alongside our primary care providers and medical imaging, our team at Crossing Rivers Health provides women with the extra support they need at a very difficult time.”

Learn more about the new Breast MRI and Breast Health Nurse Navigator programs