alternatives to breast mri?

I have heard that an MRI without contrast can be done - usually for someone who is allergic to the contrast medium. It's not as good as an MRI with contrast but is probably better than no MRI. It might be a good idea for you to look into this.

Best of luck.

Leah

Peaches ~ I know very little about it, but there are some natural-minded women on this board, as well as other friends of mine, who choose to rely on thermography for their screening.  I've never had one, and would never suggest it in lieu of mammograms.  However, since you can't do the MRI contrast views, perhaps thermography could be one more tool in your screening arsenel?  From what I've read, the key is to find someone who is highly skilled at reading the scans.  Just something to maybe look into. 

Other than that, I would consider getting your MRI at a large, university teaching hospital, if at all possible.  From my personal experience, the MRI machines they have can be much larger and stronger than those used in local facilities, so I'm guessing might possibly yield a higher resolution without the contrast.  (That's just my unscientific theory!)   They've also probably come across your situation in the past with the thousands of patients they see, so just might have another solution to the challenge of getting contrast views without jeopardizing your kidneys.     Deanna 

This from the American College of Radiology...

These guidelines and recommendations are intended to suggest appro- priate utilization of imaging modalities for screening. They are not intended to replace sound clinical judg- ment and are not to be construed as representing the standard of care...

There are no large, peer-reviewed published studies that support the routine use of other imaging tech- niques such as thermography, sestimibi, PET, transil- lumination, electrical impedance scanning, or optical imaging for breast cancer screening. Of these alternate screening modalities, thermography is the most widely studied. It was initially included in the Breast Cancer Detection Demonstration Project but was dropped after experience during the first 4 years of the project showed a sensitivity of only 43% for the detection of breast cancer [82]. The ACR and SBI do not endorse thermography or any of these other modalities for screening for breast cancer. http://weinsteinimaging.com/userfiles/BreastCancerScreeningJACR.pdf

And this from 2009:

More recently, high-resolution small–field-of-view g-cameras specific to breast imaging, sometimes called breast-specific g-imaging (BSGI) or molecular breast imag- ing, have been developed (52,53). Preliminary data using breast-specific g-cameras, compared with g-camera imag- ing, for evaluating women with breast lesions before biopsy demonstrated improved resolution of breast cancer, with improved visualization of nonpalpable lesions, lesions smaller than 1 cm, and in situ carcinoma (53). Brem et al. reported that BSGI correctly identified 16 of 18 cancers (88.9%) smaller than 1 cm. The authors also found 5 of 6 in situ carcinoma smaller than 1 cm (53). Another study by the same group demonstrated higher sensitivity in detection of in situ carcinoma for BSGI versus mammography or breast MRI (52). As with PEM, larger trials with compar- isons to standard breast imaging will be needed to support more widespread use of BSGI. These trials are ongoing. http://jnm.snmjournals.org/cgi/reprint/50/4/569.pdf

The most common symptom of breast cancer is a PAINLESS, non-itchy lump.  That said, breast cancer can have different symptoms. 

If you are in the USA, 

Where Can I Go to Get Screened?

Most likely, you can get screened for breast cancer at a clinic, hospital, or doctor's office. If you want to be screened for breast cancer, call your doctor's office. They can help you schedule an appointment. Most health insurance companies pay for the cost of breast cancer screening tests.

Are you worried about the cost? The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) offers free or low-cost mammograms and education about breast cancer. To find out if you qualify, call your local program. http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/basic_info/screening.htm

I had a BSGI last winter to help me to make a decision whether to have a SNB. There was a shot involved in the procedure but since they didn't require a blood test in advance to check my kidney function perhaps the injection might be okay for someone with kidney problems.

My advise is similar to anniealso.    

How was your first cancer detected?  Mine was not picked up on mammo.  It was only picked up on u/s b/c I lifted my breast and directed the BS to the specific spot where I felt the thickening. so u/s was not a useful screening device for me at all.   

I am 55 now and was told that in ten yrs I will not be allowed to have the contrast-dye in MRI.(too risky for a 65 yr old woman with normal kidneys)  So that was part of my decision-making process to have PBM.       Of course, every story is different. And every woman is different. 

leaf - Please do not feed into the tripe that cancerous masses are not painful.  Far too many women find that they are.  Worse - far too many physicians still cling to that myth.  Painful - non-painful - if it is an area of concern, then a woman needs to take rational steps.