What you need to know about the MBI test (Molecular Breast Imaging)

It's normal for many women to feel a little scared and nervous when they hear the word breast cancer. The same goes for the tests that are done for it. Maybe your mammogram report said 'dense breast tissue', or your doctor said that there was something different in the report, you have a lot of questions coming to your mind. Today, we are going to talk about a special test that can help at such times and find out more in-depth information. That is the Molecular Breast Imaging, or MBI test for short.

Simply put, what is this MBI test?

Okay, let's explain this very simply. MBI is a special type of test that belongs to the field of medicine called nuclear medicine. Don't be scared when you hear the word "nuclear medicine." This involves injecting a very small, safe radioactive substance (we call it a tracer) into your body and using it to look for cancer cells.

Think of cancer cells as cells that are always hungry and very greedy for food. When we give that tracer to the body, these greedy cancer cells absorb that tracer faster and more than other normal healthy cells. Then, when we look at it with a special camera, the places where that tracer has accumulated the most, that is, the places where there may be cancer cells, are seen as if a light has been turned on. That's how we identify suspicious areas.

When would you need an MBI test?

Not everyone will need an MBI test. There are some special cases in which your doctor may recommend this test.

• If you are already receiving treatment for breast cancer: This test helps to see how effective your treatment is and whether the cancer cells are being eliminated.
• If you have dense breast tissue: This is very important. When you have dense breast tissue, a regular mammogram can sometimes miss small tumors because both the cancer and healthy tissue appear white. However, MBI can be very helpful in detecting cancer in these people because only the cancer cells appear bright.
• If there is a suspicious area on your mammogram or ultrasound scan report: MBI can help you get a clearer picture of that suspicious area and further confirm whether it is actually cancer or not.
• If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer: This test is also used to find out if cancer cells have spread to other parts of the breast in addition to the cancer itself.

What is the difference between MBI and 3D Mammogram?

This is a question that many people have. "Why isn't a mammogram enough? What's the big difference between the two?" Let's see this clearly in a table.

How should I prepare before the MBI test?

There are a few things you need to do before this test. Following these exactly can increase the accuracy of the test.

• Food and Drink: Avoid liquids and solid foods like milk for at least three hours before the test. This is because the tracer is better absorbed by the breast cells when you are hungry.
• Water: But it's not good to let your body get dehydrated. So drink plenty of clear liquids like water and juice.
• Diseases like diabetes: If you have another medical condition like diabetes mellitus, be sure to talk to your doctor about fasting.
• Menstrual cycle: If possible, try to schedule this test between days 7 and 14 of your menstrual cycle. (The first day of your period is counted as day 1.) Although it is best to do the test during this time, it can be done on any day in case of emergency.

What happens during the test?

Knowing in advance what to expect on the day of the test will help reduce your anxiety.

1. First, you will be taken to a private room, asked to remove all clothing and jewelry from the waist up, and put on a hospital gown.

2. Then you will be taken to the room with the gamma camera and made to sit in a chair in front of the machine.

3. Next, a small cannula (IV line) is inserted into a vein in your arm, through which the radioactive tracer is injected into your body.

4. You need to wait about 3 to 5 minutes for the tracer to be absorbed into the breast tissue.

5. Then the scan begins. This can take between 20 and 40 minutes. At this point, just like with a mammogram, the breast will be gently pressed with the machine. But it shouldn't be painful.

What happens after the test?

After the scan is complete, the IV line in your arm will be removed. You will then be able to dress normally and go home. Your medical team will advise you on what to do next, the day you will receive your results, and any further treatment.

Are there any risks to this test?

As with any medical test, there are some minor risks involved, and it's important to be aware of them.

Radiation exposure

Don't be afraid to hear the word "radioactive." During an MBI, you are exposed to a very small amount of radiation . This is considered a safe level, similar to the amount you would be exposed to during a regular mammogram. In many cases, the benefits of detecting cancer early far outweigh the risks of this small amount of radiation exposure.

Allergic Reactions

Very rarely, some people may be allergic to the tracer. If this happens, symptoms such as:

• Skin irritation, itching, or a rash.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Difficulty breathing or abnormal heart rhythm (these are very rare, occurring in a small percentage of people, around 0.01% - 0.04%).

What can we learn from the results?

A radiologist will review your MBI images.

• Normal Result: If there is no bright spot on the scan, it is usually considered a "normal" result. Talk to your doctor about when you should have your next mammogram.
• If there are suspicious areas: If a spot on the scan looks bright, it means that there are fast-growing cells in that area. Not all of those areas will become cancerous. But to find out for sure, your doctor may suggest a biopsy of that area. That means taking a very small piece of tissue from that suspicious area and examining it under a microscope. That is the only way to be 100% sure whether those cells are cancerous or not.

How accurate is the MBI test?

Studies have shown that the MBI test is a very accurate test.

• MBI has been used to detect breast cancer in approximately 90% of patients with suspected breast cancer.
• This test has been able to detect 82% of very small cancers, smaller than 10 millimeters.
• This accuracy is similar to that of a breast MRI scan.
• Most importantly, research shows that the MBI test helps detect breast cancer two to three times more often than a mammogram alone .

Regular mammograms are the best way to detect breast cancer early. But when a mammogram alone doesn't provide a clear picture, the MBI test is a powerful tool that provides additional, very valuable information. There are other tests, such as breast ultrasound and breast MRI. Each of these tests has its advantages and disadvantages. The most important thing is that you and your doctor talk together to choose the best screening methods for your situation, and if there is cancer, it can be detected and treated as soon as possible.

MBI test, Molecular Breast Imaging, Breast Cancer, Mammogram, Dense Breasts, Cancer Scan, Women's Health