What imaging modality is the recommended screening for breast cancer?

What imaging modality is the recommended screening for breast cancer?

• A. CT scan
• B. Mammography
• C. MRI
• D. Ultrasound

Answer: (B)

Mammography is the recommended screening imaging for breast cancer because it is the test with the strongest evidence showing reduced mortality in large populations. It uses low-dose X-rays to detect early cancers and characteristic calcifications before a lump is felt, allowing earlier treatment and better outcomes. Other imaging options have important roles but are not suited for routine screening of average-risk women. CT scans expose more radiation and aren’t optimized for breast tissue or mortality benefit. MRI is highly sensitive and excellent for high-risk individuals or problem-solving, but is expensive, time-consuming, and has more false positives, making it impractical as a general screening test. Ultrasound is great as an adjunct tool for evaluating specific findings or dense breasts, but it has not proven to reduce mortality when used alone for population-wide screening.

Mammography is the recommended screening imaging for breast cancer because it is the test with the strongest evidence showing reduced mortality in large populations. It uses low-dose X-rays to detect early cancers and characteristic calcifications before a lump is felt, allowing earlier treatment and better outcomes.

Other imaging options have important roles but are not suited for routine screening of average-risk women. CT scans expose more radiation and aren’t optimized for breast tissue or mortality benefit. MRI is highly sensitive and excellent for high-risk individuals or problem-solving, but is expensive, time-consuming, and has more false positives, making it impractical as a general screening test. Ultrasound is great as an adjunct tool for evaluating specific findings or dense breasts, but it has not proven to reduce mortality when used alone for population-wide screening.