Why it's done

Molecular breast imaging may be used to:

• Screen for breast cancer in women with dense breast tissue. Molecular breast imaging, when combined with a breast X-ray (mammogram), detects more breast cancers in women with dense breast tissue than a mammogram alone.

  Typically, if you and your doctor decide you will have molecular breast imaging, it's done every other year along with an annual mammogram. Molecular breast imaging is considered a supplemental test, so it doesn't replace an annual mammogram.

  Breast tissue is composed of milk glands, milk ducts and fibrous tissue (dense breast tissue), and fatty tissue. Women with dense breasts have more dense breast tissue than fatty tissue. Both dense breast tissue and cancers appear white on a mammogram, which may make breast cancer more difficult to detect in women with dense breasts. Studies show that the combination of molecular breast imaging and a mammogram finds more than three times more breast cancers than a mammogram alone.

• Investigate breast abnormalities. Molecular breast imaging may help doctors evaluate a breast lump or an unusual area detected on a mammogram. Your doctor may recommend molecular breast imaging if other imaging tests have been inconclusive. Molecular breast imaging may be used in women for whom an MRI is recommended but can't be performed, such as those with allergies to the MRI contrast material.