FDA rule puts spotlight on supplemental breast cancer screenings

In March, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced an amendment to its mammography regulations requiring providers tell patients whether they have dense breasts, how their breast density could affect their cancer risk and that additional screenings are recommended.

Dense breast tissue can conceal cancer on a standard mammogram. Women with dense breasts often require more sophisticated technology for a thorough screening.

Edward-Elmhurst Health already offers treatment options beyond mammography for patients with dense breast tissue, including Molecular Breast Imaging (MBI), the ideal supplement to a mammogram.

Edward-Elmhurst Health was the first hospital or health system in the Chicago area to acquire MBI, the latest in breast imaging technology. This technology supports mammography and helps detect breast cancer in women with dense breast tissue, in those who previously had breast cancer, are BRCA positive or those with inconclusive mammography results.

“I applaud the FDA for their statement. At Edward-Elmhurst, we’re aware of the limitations of mammography in patients with dense breasts and have been leaders in adopting new technology for breast cancer detection,” says Darius Gilvydis, MD, Medical Director, Edward Hospital Women’s Imaging Center. “We were the first in the state, joining institutions such as Mayo Clinic and M.D. Anderson, to offer molecular breast imaging as a supplemental screening tool in patients with dense breasts.”

On a mammogram, which is taken with X-rays, tumors and dense breast tissue both appear white. The results of an MBI exam combined with results from a mammogram can overcome some limitations of mammography alone.

“This technology is cutting-edge,” says Dr. Gilvydis. “Edward-Elmhurst also offers whole breast screening ultrasound. These technologies can double the detection of breast cancer in patients with dense breast tissue.”

To learn more about mammography and other screenings at Edward-Elmhurst Health, visit www.EEHealth.org/breast-health.