What’s a breast scan?
A breast scan is an imaging take a look at to have a look at your breasts. It might even be referred to as a scintimammography or nuclear drugs breast imaging. It is used when a mammogram hasn’t given your healthcare supplier sufficient data. It is not thought of a major take a look at for screening and would not exchange the necessity for a mammogram.
A breast scan is a sort of nuclear imaging take a look at. Because of this a tiny quantity of radioactive matter is used through the scan. The radioactive matter, referred to as tracer, sends out gamma rays. These are picked up by the scanner to make an image of your breasts.
The areas of the breast the place the radioactive tracer collects in larger quantities are referred to as scorching spots. The areas that do not take in the tracer and seem much less brilliant on the scan picture are known as chilly spots. Most cancers cells are often discovered by scorching spots in a breast scan.
A breast scan will be useful in diagnosing breast most cancers in youthful adults. Youthful adults often have denser breasts than older adults. Denser breast tissue can even occur due to:
- Fibrocystic illness
- Previous breast surgical procedure
- Radiation remedy
- Chemotherapy
- Biopsy
- Breast implants
Why would possibly I want a breast scan?
You might want a breast scan if the outcomes of a mammogram or different imaging exams comparable to ultrasound or MRI aren’t particular. Or your healthcare supplier might use a breast scan together with mammography or as a follow-up to breast exams or ultrasounds.
Your supplier might order a breast scan to:
- Search for a tumor
- See how properly blood is flowing via your breast tissue
- Observe up after surgical procedure, chemotherapy, or different breast most cancers therapy
Your healthcare supplier might produce other causes to suggest a breast scan. Discuss along with your supplier in regards to the purpose to your scan.
What are the dangers of a breast scan?
The chance from the radioactive tracer may be very low. The quantity used within the take a look at may be very small. You might really feel some slight discomfort when the tracer is injected. Allergic reactions to the tracer are uncommon, however they could occur.
Mendacity on the scanning desk through the process might trigger some discomfort or ache for sure folks.
Inform your healthcare supplier in case you are:
- Allergic to or delicate to medicines, distinction dyes, or latex
- Pregnant or assume that you just could be pregnant. The scan will not be secure for the fetus.
- Breastfeeding. The tracer might contaminate your breastmilk.
- Are about to start out your interval. A scan finished at this level will not be correct.
- Have every other well being situations
You will have different dangers. Talk about any issues along with your healthcare supplier earlier than the process.
How do I prepare for a breast scan?
- Your healthcare supplier will clarify the process to you. Ask your supplier any questions that you could have.
- Make a listing of questions you’ve in regards to the process. Talk about these questions and any issues along with your supplier earlier than the process. Think about bringing a member of the family or trusted good friend to the medical appointment that can assist you keep in mind your questions and issues.
- You might be requested to signal a consent type that provides permission to do the process. Learn the shape rigorously and ask questions if something is not clear.
- You needn’t cease consuming or ingesting earlier than the take a look at. You additionally will not want drugs that can assist you calm down (sedation).
- Inform your supplier:
- If you happen to’re allergic to or delicate to latex, medicines, distinction dyes, or iodine
- If you happen to’re pregnant or assume you might be pregnant
- About all of the prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines and dietary supplements you take
- Inform your supplier:
- Inform the technologist when you have breast implants.
- Observe every other directions your supplier offers you on prepare.
What occurs throughout a breast scan?
You will have a breast scan as an outpatient or as a part of your keep in a hospital. The best way the take a look at is completed might differ relying in your situation and your healthcare supplier’s practices.
Typically, a breast scan follows this course of:
- You will be requested to take away all jewellery and clothes above the waist. You will be given a robe to put on.
- An IV (intravenous) line will probably be began in your arm or hand reverse the breast to be checked out. If each breasts are being checked out, the IV line could also be began in a vein in your foot.
- The tracer will probably be injected into the IV line. You will have a slight metallic style after the injection. This could final only some moments.
- You might be positioned in several positions, relying on the kind of machine getting used. You might lie face down on a particular desk made for breast scans. The breast to be scanned will probably be positioned via a gap within the desk. Or you could have one in all your breasts positioned subsequent to the digicam of the scanner and compressed with a flat plate, simply as with a mammogram. One breast is scanned after which the opposite breast is scanned. Some machines have cameras on either side of the breast.
- The technologist will begin taking photographs a couple of minutes after the injection. They’re going to place the scanner over the breast. Or the technologist might use a distinct form of scan referred to as SPECT.
- You might be requested to vary positions through the scan. For instance, you might lie in your again or sit up. You might be requested to take a seat along with your arms straight out or above your head.
- When the scan is completed, the IV line will probably be eliminated.
The breast scan isn’t painful. However you could have some discomfort or ache from mendacity nonetheless through the take a look at. This can be due to latest surgical procedure or a joint damage. The technologist will use all attainable consolation measures and do the scan as rapidly as attainable to reduce any discomfort or ache.
What occurs after a breast scan?
It’s best to transfer slowly when getting up from the scanner desk to keep away from any dizziness or lightheadedness.
You might be advised to drink loads of fluids and empty your bladder typically for 1 to 2 days after the scan. This may assist flush the radioactive tracer out of your physique.
The medical workers will examine the IV web site for any indicators of redness or swelling. Inform your healthcare supplier in case you see any ache, redness, or swelling on the IV web site after you go dwelling. These could also be indicators of an infection or one other sort of response.
You might return to your regular weight-reduction plan and actions as directed by your healthcare supplier.
Your supplier might provide you with different directions, relying in your scenario.
Subsequent steps
Earlier than you comply with the take a look at or the process, be sure to know:
- The identify of the take a look at or process
- The rationale you might be having the take a look at or process
- What outcomes to anticipate and what they imply
- The dangers and advantages of the take a look at or process
- What the attainable uncomfortable side effects or problems are
- When and the place you might be to have the take a look at or process
- Who will do the take a look at or process and what that particular person’s {qualifications} are
- What would occur in case you didn’t have the take a look at or process
- Any different exams or procedures to consider
- When and the way you’ll get the outcomes
- Who to name after the take a look at or process when you have questions or issues
- How a lot you’ll have to pay for the take a look at or process