MODULE 3. Further laboratory and imaging examinations related to breast cancer diagnostics
3.3. Guiding and interviewing the patient
Patient guidance
Patient guidance plays an essential role in MRI safety. Proper guidance can also improve image quality by decreasing patient movement during the sequences. MRI screening and MRI-guided procedures can be frightening experiences. Trust between the health care professionals and patients has to be built even in short periods of time. Good communication skills and going through the upcoming procedure with the patient can relieve patients’ anxiety. The radiographer has an important role in how the patients experience and commit to breast cancer screening and imaging. Communication is one of the most important parts of the imaging process (Thomassin-Naggara et al 2012).
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Guiding and interviewing the patient
Before the examination the patient should be interviewed about her hormonal status (menopause, menstrual cycle etc.), family history of breast cancer, and previous and current breast symptoms.
The patient is informed about the benefits and potential adverse effects of the examination or procedure. The conversation should contain enough information about the advantages and risks, false negative and positive results, and uncertainty.
During MRI-guided biopsy, the selected sequences might fail to show the suspicious mass adequately and the planned biopsy might have to be cancelled. The patient should be informed of such possibility beforehand (Thomassin-Naggara et al 2012).
The patient is informed about the benefits and potential adverse effects of the examination or procedure. The conversation should contain enough information about the advantages and risks, false negative and positive results, and uncertainty.
During MRI-guided biopsy, the selected sequences might fail to show the suspicious mass adequately and the planned biopsy might have to be cancelled. The patient should be informed of such possibility beforehand (Thomassin-Naggara et al 2012).
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References
Thomassin-Naggara I, Trop I, Lalonde L, David J, Péloquin L, Chopier J. Tips and techniques in breast MRI. Diagnostic and Interventional Imaging. 2012; 93: 828-839.
Thomassin-Naggara I, Trop I, Lalonde L, David J, Péloquin L, Chopier J. Tips and techniques in breast MRI. Diagnostic and Interventional Imaging. 2012; 93: 828-839.