Pauline Reedy believes her breast cancer was detected one to two years earlier thanks to an ultrasound that was conducted in addition to a mammogram because of the 71-year-old's dense breast tissue.
Ultrasound cannot replace mammography when screening for breast cancer, but previous studies have highlighted its benefits as a supplemental test, especially in women with dense breast tissue. Cancer detection rates can increase by as much as 40 percent with supplemental ultrasound, according to research published in the British Journal of Cancer.
“When you are trying to distinguish white on top of white, it’s very challenging, like trying to find a polar bear in a snowstorm,” radiologist Susan Summerton, MD told Scranton, Pennsylvania-based newspaper the Times-Tribune. “An ultrasound is extremely helpful in looking through dense tissue because it displays the tissue in a different way.”
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As a senior news writer for TriMed, Subrata covers cardiology, clinical innovation and healthcare business. She has a master’s degree in communication management and 12 years of experience in journalism and public relations.