New way to detect breast cancer coming to Franciscan

Around a decade, Molecular Breast Imaging has not been approved for widespread use.

A more precise way to detect breast cancer is coming to La Crosse’s Mayo Clinic.

Patients at Franciscan Healthcare will soon have access to molecular breast imaging, which can “detect three to four times more cancers in dense breasts,” says Rochester Mayo physician Deborah Rhodes.

Rhodes adds that gamma ray imaging can also find tumors which might be hidden in scans showing dense tissue.

She is optimistic that the molecular technique will become more common for breast exams within the next two to three years.

The screening process has been around a decade but has not been approved for general use across the U.S., yet.