Abbreviated Breast MRI (AB-MR) Is The Most Accurate Breast Imaging Test For Your Dense Breast Tissue

Health & Medical Blog

Have you had a mammogram that shows you have very dense breasts? Dense tissue in your breast means that you have fibrous, fatty, and glandular tissue. However, some women's breast tissue becomes too dense for a radiologist to read clearly when your mammogram is being interpreted. If the results reveal you have an abundance of fibrous or glandular tissue and not much fat, the radiologist documents that you have dense breast tissue. You and your physician will receive a copy of your report in the mail. Be acutely aware of a new technology called Abbreviated Breast MRI (AB-MR) that is the most accurate breast imaging test now in use for breast tissue that is dense. Statistical studies reveal its effectiveness.

Statistical Studies Confirm Accuracy Of Breast MRI

Statistical studies disclose that breast MRI finds cancers that are not visible on a mammogram and conclude that it's the most accurate breast imaging test. Furthermore, scientists advise that it would be rare for breast MRI imaging to miss identifying an invasive breast cancer during testing, as the record below demonstrates.

• Breast MRI detects an additional 16-23 cancers per 1000 screened women.
• Ultrasound finds an additional 2 to 4 cancers per 1000 women screened.
• Mammograms detect 4 to 5 cancers per 1000 women screened.

Why Is AB-MR Not Used More Often For Women At-Risk of Breast Cancer?

There is a simple but incredible answer to why this screening technology has not been used more often to save high-risk breast cancer patients as well from developing breast cancer. Mark you, the technology has been around for many years and has been recommended for this category of patients. AB-MR was very much limited to at-risk patients because it costs too much.

Costs should not matter in America when the drug AB-MR is available and is recommended for at-risk patients. May the day also arrive when it's used as a first-line procedural test for all women in the age group that's likely to develop breast cancer. There is an additional benefit for each of you who undergo this procedure. It does not use radiation technology and doesn't require breast compression either.

What To Do To Ensure You Receive AB-MR Breast Cancer Testing

If you are at-risk for developing breast cancer, and your insurance company balks at paying for the AB-MR test, ask your physician to file an appeal with your insurance carrier indicating why you must have the AB-MR procedure performed. The request will be handled by the insurance company's appeals department. If the insurance company rules against your initial request, ask your doctor to file another appeal.

Considering what the insurance company has to lose in what could turn out to be a possible class action suit against the company if you develop breast cancer further down the road, the carrier will approve your doctor's request as a medical necessity. Perseverance will make you conquer.

28 June 2017