OC scans and breast screening

[koffeekat99]

My CT scans will include chest from now on due to lymph node involvement of OC. Just wondering if that negates the need for breast screening mammogram. Would a chest CT pick up breast changes anyway?

I am under age 50 with strong family history of breast and ovarian cancers. Not currently in regular breast screening. I’m not sure if it is worth asking for earlier breast screening due to family history if the chest CTs will do a similar job anyway.

Can anyone shed any light.

Thanks

[Rlenesue]

Get genetic testing to see if you're braca1 positive. If so, that could speed up any testing and would explain your family's history

[Lizjj]

I have ovarian cancer and CT scans including upper chest are done regularly.... (about every 4 months) I have a mammogram done once a year. My doctor says the mammogram is necessary . I too would like to know why? I am Braca 2 positive.

[Kjpip]

Hi Koffeekat99, I don't think CT scans show up changes in the breasts as clearly as mammograms so you still need to do this. With your family history you should ask for regular breast screening, especially if you have a brca mutation - ask for this blood test. As you are under 50, you would need a yearly mammogram plus a yearly breast MRI as well (once you hit 50 it's just a yearly mammogram)Hope this helps! Good luck xx

[Doglover1410]

I think a CT scan picks bits up but I wouldn’t say in place of a mammogram. Mine always pick up the thickening from the radiotherapy but I wouldn’t want to rely on just the CT!

I would definitely get yourself tested, I am BRACA2+ so yearly mammograms as high risk x

[Dales-Rambler]

Hi KoffeeKat99

Chest CT scans are used to generally assess the overall upper body, such as pleural effusions, lymph nodes, etc.

Mammograms, MRI Breast & Ultrasound are far more sensitive for breast tissue, hence the need for multi modality scanning. In addition, not all breast tissue may be included in a CT scan, as that's not the primary focus of the scan. (I'm a Diagnostic Radiographer).

I have annual Mammograms and breast MRI for my BRCA1 genes, after I had genetic testing due to OC diagnosis with a family history of breast cancer.

Hope that's useful.

Best wishes

Sally

[RoseMS]

I asked this question and it's no , mammograms pick up more definitely in breast tissue. I'm OC but told just on normal 5 yearly screening as over 50. However if you have family history and OC I would definitely ask for 2 yearly. Best wishes.

[Atai]

My thinking is whatever tests we are offered, take them! Each one has specialities so could pick up something or negate something that others cannot xxxx

[Numi]

if you have a strong family history of OC and breast cancers, then you definitely should have genetic testing. I have annual mammograms because of having the BRCA2 gene defect, and they show more detail than a CT scan, plus with your OC scans, the radiographer is looking for signs of OC recurrence or spread, rather than breast cancer. My mammogram in 2021 picked up early stage breast cancer that wasn’t obvious on the CT scan I’d had only a couple of months before.