Imaging Modalities of Breast Cancer Mammogram Value Limitation False negatives Miss 1 in 8 breasts. Primary screening tool for detecting early breast cancer. False positives Abnormal findings often require additional testing such as: High sensitivity. Mammograms Population screening Ultrasound Used for routine screening in asymptomatic women. MRI Cost effective The above are needed to confirm or rule out cancer. Overdiagnosis Some detected abnormalities may never progress to invasive cancer. Ultrasound Value Limitation Supplemental imaging alongside mammogram for further evaluation. No radiation waves are use No ionising energy exposure. Operator dependent Differentiates cysts from solid masses Depends on the operator’s skill and experience. Helps distinguish fluid filled cysts and solid masses. Limitation sensitivity Fluid filled cysts: May miss small lesions and abnormalities. Anechoic/black appearance. Not ideal for dense breasts Smooth walls Not effective for dense breast tissue. Posterior acoustic enhancement No strandalise protocol Solid mass Echogenic/bright appearance Have irregular borders and may show internal echoes. Fixed position. No universal guidelines for breast ultrasound screening MRI Value Limitation False positive results High sensitivity Can lead to additional tests and anxiety. Detailed images False negative results Screening for high-risk populations Expensive Time consuming